MS in Finance, Investment and Banking

Students pursuing any major in the Wisconsin BBA program, as well as UW–Madison undergraduate economics students, are eligible to apply for the program in applied security analysis and to earn the MS in Finance degree.

The Hawk Center staff recognize the importance of building a professional network and they provide multiple ways to connect with alumni, other leading industry professionals, and employers. Students manage portfolios in teams, often developing lifelong networks in the process. The program provides significant opportunities to network with guest speakers, alumni who are industry practitioners, and members of the Hawk Center boards of advisors. The Wisconsin School of Business has a loyal and supportive group of alumni who return to campus regularly to connect with and mentor students.

If you are a current undergraduate student and you complete the program of study, you earn a Master of Science-Business: Finance, Investment and Banking degree. You do so by adding just one year of graduate studies to your academic plan. You also get an early start on your career interests by taking electives in applied security analysis during your senior year. Students who prefer to earn an MBA may consider the Wisconsin Full-Time MBA Program with a specialization in applied security analysis.

As a student in the MS in Finance degree program, you will have networking opportunities with students and faculty members throughout the Wisconsin School of Business. You will take classes and participate in applied learning experiences side-by-side with Wisconsin MBA students who are specializing in applied security analysis. MS and MBA students in the applied security analysis program travel together for the optional winter trip to investment firms in New York City and Boston. You will have many opportunities for cross-disciplinary interaction with others in the School through co-curricular activities, guest lectures, and networking events.

The program of study that leads to the MS Finance degree at the Wisconsin School of Business is both demanding and personalized, with significant emphasis on hands-on experience and meaningful interactions with industry professionals. Working in teams, you will manage portfolios that hold, in aggregate, over $20 million in equity and fixed income assets. Student teams have complete control over their portfolios and make regularly scheduled presentations about their investment strategies to a panel of professionals.

The depth and breadth of the alumni network is another distinctive feature of the program in applied security analysis at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The program was founded in 1970, and as a result there is a base of more than 600 alumni who hold industry positions across the globe. The program alumni are extraordinarily supportive of students and graduates, and many are actively involved in the program as mentors, lecturers, and employers.

Because of a favorable 4-to-1 student-faculty ratio, you will have direct contact with highly accomplished instructors. Some of your classes will be taught by industry practitioners, and guest speakers from leading firms join classes regularly for discussion and networking.

To ensure your career success, the staff of the Hawk Center provide assistance in landing internships and full-time positions, working closely with a network of corporate partners.