Former students and college admissions staff indicate the best bachelor’s degree for getting the masters in finance provides a strong base in mathematics. Most programs do not prefer one major to another, but earning the masters in finance requires hours of numbers crunching. Applicants need to be sure they posses the aptitude and desire before throwing their hat into an increasingly popular arena.
According to a July 2011 New York Times article, a masters level education has become the norm instead of the exception. Finance programs fall into an emerging category known as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Recent data indicates popular undergraduate programs for finance master’s degree applicants include finance, economics, business and accounting.
Finance
Earning a bachelors degree in finance seems like a no-brainer to many students looking to pursue graduate studies in finance, but there is a downside to the curriculum. Designed akin to a liberal arts program, students acquire general knowledge about financial planning and financial markets. Students qualify for entry-level positions in banks and financial offices, but such a broad education demands that they immediately attend graduate school.
Economics
Students with an undergraduate degree in economics have a wider range of post-graduate employment opportunities that make it easier to work while attending school. The curriculum offers a solid background in national economy policies, communication and computer technology. Degree holders work within the government, education and business fields.
Business
Many schools offer graduate programs in finance as part of their Masters of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum, so obtaining a bachelors degree in business sounds logical. Unfortunately, the degree prepares students to run an enterprise instead of delving into the numbers behind the business. Classes include more information on analyzing trends and product development.
Accounting
People with bachelors in accounting demonstrate a serious love of numbers. Post-graduate employment includes working as public accountants or specializing in taxation. In some cases, they create cost-effective strategies for employers.
Making an Informed Decision
A number of Internet forums stress the fact that master’s degree candidates should love math. Typical core courses include asset pricing and financial econometrics. Financial crises and venture capital are among the elective choices. Aspiring students need to ask themselves whether they are adequate prepared to eat, sleep and breathe numbers for the next year.
The Right Degree
After reviewing all the choices and looking at what each path has to offer, two of the four undergraduate degrees stand apart from the others. A background in economics or accounting provides students with specialized education to help them succeed at graduate-level studies. Applicants facilitate entry into top-tier schools like University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago.
Students take many paths to earn their masters of finance, considering there are no steadfast rules regarding academic requirements. Certain undergraduate degrees leave candidates better prepared to handle the mathematically demanding course load. Earning the right degree leads to better employment opportunities in the future, when applicants soar above the competition and attend highly regarded schools.
References:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/education/edlife/edl-24masters-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
