Columbia University Financial and Accounting Programs
Columbia University appears in our ranking of 25 Great Master of Financial Engineering Programs.
Columbia University’s financial engineering program, offered by the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science under the Industrial Engineering & Operations Research Department, provides students with specialized curriculum in the field of financial engineering, a multidisciplinary field that combines financial theory, engineering, mathematics, and programming. The program provides students with full-time training in the application of engineering and quantitative methods related to finance.
Students who are seeking master’s degrees in International Affairs or Public Administration may also concentrate their studies in International Finance and Economic Policy. The degree combines tools from economics, finance, and statistics to understand how financial markets, real economy, and policymaking are connected. Students are prepared for positions that build new financial institutions as well as those who want to become scholars in the field. Graduates are recognized as experts in crucial fields like finance, monetary theory, policy, developing economies and international trade.
Columbia University offers a Master of Science in Accounting and Fundamental Analysis that provides students an understanding of accounting, fundamental analysis, statistics, finance, and economics. The program overlaps with Columbia’s Ph.D. program and students receive a doctorate degree upon completion. Students gain the quantitative and theoretical knowledge to enter fields like investment advisory, equity, and credit analysis. Students complete a curriculum that is equivalent to Ph.D. level work and are required to complete a substantial research project.
Students may also pursue a Master of Science in Financial Economics at Columbia University. The program is a two-year course of study and student’s complete master’s and doctorate level classes. Students gain an understanding of finance and economics, gaining the skills they need for a career in finance. Graduates of the program have found positions in banking, asset management, consulting firms and policy-oriented organizations. There is a focus on quantitative and theoretical tools related to the ever-changing world of finance and economics.
Columbia University also offers a Master of Arts degree in Economics that is designed for students who want to gain skills in economic theory and applications. The program is designed to provide in-depth study into the field of economics while allowing students to learn from electives that fit their academic and professional goals. This allows students to tailor their degree to their own needs. The degree consists of seven core classes and three electives. Students must complete a research paper related to one of the electives chosen. An undergraduate degree in economics is not required, but a background in economics is highly recommended as well as college-level calculus and statistics. Students should have a strong understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and principles of economics.
About Columbia University
Columbia University, originally known as King’s College, was founded in 1754 by royal charter of King George II. It is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the oldest in the state of New York. The first classes were held at the school in 1754 in a new building adjacent to Trinity Church with eight students. The American Revolution halted education at the school, forcing it to close for eight years beginning in 1776, yet it continued to have an impact on the new country. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Gouverneur Morris, who drafted the final version of the Constitution and Robert R. Livingston, a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence all attended King’s College.
In 1784, the school reopened with a new name, Columbia College, but there were still ties to Anglicanism. The school was revitalized, however, and there was a desire to create a more diverse student population. Rather than the cloistered students that attended prior to the Revolution, more day students who lived at home or stayed in the city began attending the school. In 1857, Columbia moved to 49th Street and Madison Avenue. In 1896, after merging several schools under one, including Barnard College for women, the medical school, and the Teachers College, the school became known as Columbia University. Today, it is officially known as Columbia University in the City of New York. In 1857, the school moved to its present location in Morningside Heights to a campus designed as an urban village.
Today, more than 32,000 students attend Columbia University.
Columbia University Accreditation Details
Columbia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This indicates that students who graduate from Columbia University are well prepared for leadership roles in their field of study. Accreditation also indicates that the university submits to periodic review by the accrediting agency to confirm that students are receiving an education that meets the criteria they have set forth and to be sure that the university has the resources to meet their goals. Programs throughout the university are accredited by industry-specific organizations and associations as well.
Columbia University Application Requirements
In order to apply for the Master of Financial Engineering program at Columbia University, students must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Students must provide an official transcript from all colleges and universities attended as well as three recommendation letters. Students must provide official GRE scores as well as a personal statement and resume.
Columbia University Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time tuition for master’s level programs at Columbia University averages $23,232 per semester. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Students may qualify for departmental grants, fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, readerships and preceptorships. Students may also seek scholarships and grants from external sources. Students may qualify for Federal Direct, Graduate PLUS or private loans. It is important to remember that loans must be repaid upon graduation. Columbia University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In order to qualify for financial aid at Columbia University, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be renewed on an annual basis.
Columbia University has been providing an outstanding education to students for over 250 years. The master’s level courses in finance, financial engineering, accounting, and economics programs offered at Columbia University continue the school’s long history of offering students an education that will prepare them for leadership positions in the industry.
