Applied Financial Economics, M.S.
Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Applied Financial Economics (M.S.-AFE) at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is a one-of-a-kind program in the region that responds to the market need for individuals to enter the labor market with a set of applied technical skills.
SLU's STEM-certified M.S.-AFE program consists of 30 credits that can be completed full-time in one calendar year. No work experience is required, which means that students can transition into the program upon achieving their undergraduate degree. The program can be pursued part-time for up to five years, making it ideal for working professionals.
Curriculum Overview
Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Applied Financial Economics is a quantitative-based, applied program that focuses on analysis and forecasting of financial variables such as interest rates, stock returns and their effects on financial markets. It responds to the market need for individuals to enter the labor market with a set of applied technical skills.
The M.S.-AFE program consists of 30 credits that can be completed full time in as little as one calendar year. As a prerequisite, the program also requires nine credits of foundation coursework in economics, accounting and applied business statistics, part or all of which may be waived for students demonstrating competency through previously completed coursework. No work experience is required, which means that students can transition into the program upon achieving their undergraduate degree.
Careers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook is bright for individuals with graduate degrees who have skills in quantitative analysis and the ability to apply quantitative analysis to economic modeling and forecasting.
Graduates of the applied financial economics program will be qualified for a range of analysis-related jobs. Possible positions include:
- Research analyst/associate/assistant
- Policy analyst
- Data analyst
- Staff economist
- Strategy analyst
- Business economist
- Securities analyst
- Market forecaster
- Instructor (e.g., university non-tenure track)
- Doctoral student
The program is STEM-certified, allowing F1 students who graduate from our program to apply for an OPT extension.
Admission Requirements
The Chaifetz School uses a holistic admissions approach to carefully evaluate all applicants, considering every aspect of their application. While an undergraduate degree is required for admission, a business background is not. Applicants must submit their:
- Completed online application
- Official transcript(s)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Résumé
- Professional goal statement of fewer than 500 words
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once all application materials are received. The average time for admissions decisions is two weeks.
Requirements for International Students
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents will also need to submit:
- English Language Proficiency Scores: For non-native speakers of English, an official English language test score report is required and must be sent directly to the institution. Scores should be no more than two years old. This program requires a TOEFL score of 80 and an IELTS broadband of at least 6.5 or a Duolingo score of 110.
- The Graduate Programs Office reserves the right to evaluate an applicant’s English based on an admissions interview and/or an English language test. Based on the results from either or both, applicants may be referred to INTO SLU for additional coursework.
- Official Academic Transcripts: An official transcript articulating both GPA and grades for all previous coursework is required and will be evaluated at the time of admission.
- The Graduate Programs Office reserves the right to request an applicant submit a WES or ECE evaluation.
- Documentation of Financial Support: After an admission decision has been made and scholarship consideration has been assessed, students will need to complete an addendum form outlining certification of financial support for one year of study (if a student visa is required) that must be submitted with the necessary documentation. Documentation will include:
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A letter (declaration) of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency providing funds for your tuition and living expenses for the duration of your study at Saint Louis University.
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A letter (certification) from the sponsor’s bank verifying that such funds currently are available and will be so for each subsequent year of your study at this University. The financial evidence must cover at least the expenses needed for the first year of your study.
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
The Chaifetz School offers generous scholarships to make a graduate degree from our nationally ranked institution accessible. All applicants to SLU's Master of Science in Applied Financial Economics program are automatically considered for scholarship awards at the time of admission. Learn more about M.S. in applied financial economics scholarships.
For more information about student loans, please visit SLU's student financial services office online at www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Accreditation
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance and accrediting body of business schools, ensuring continuous quality improvement in terms of curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career placement and intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty. Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation.
- Graduates will be able to advance their knowledge of economic and financial theory including empirical modeling.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate analytical proficiency with the use of rigorous quantitative techniques employed in the fields of finance and economic forecasting.
- Graduates will be able to research topics both theoretically and empirically to design and evaluate appropriate modeling.
- Graduates will be able to clearly articulate, in both oral and written frameworks, the methodologies used and the results of the findings.
- Graduates will be able to work in teams to simulate group decision-making, prioritization and optimization in a global environment.
- Graduates will be able to peer review work-in-progress to learn constructive criticism in a collegial environment.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional conduct with an emphasis on ethical decision-making.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Requisite Courses (to be taken before entry) | ||
| ACCT 5010 | Accounting for Managers | 3 |
| ECON 5010 | Economics for Managers | 3 |
| OPM 5020 | Applied Business Statistics | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| ECON 6000 | Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 6050 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| ECON 6060 | Econometrics II | 3 |
| ECON 6520 | Forecasting Macroeconomic and Financial Variables | 3 |
| ECON 6850 | Applied Financial Economics Capstone | 3 |
| FIN 6150 | Finance Theory and Application | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Exchange Rates and International Adjustments | ||
| Applied Optimization Methods for Financial Economics | ||
| Equity Securities and Markets | ||
| Fixed Income Securities and Markets | ||
| Derivative Securities and Markets | ||
| Applied Business Analytics | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted. Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure timely graduation. This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
One-Year Roadmap
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ECON 6000 | Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 6050 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| FIN 6150 | Finance Theory and Application | 3 |
| FIN 6210 | Fixed Income Securities and Markets | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 6060 | Econometrics II | 3 |
| ECON 6520 | Forecasting Macroeconomic and Financial Variables | 3 |
| FIN 6160 | Equity Securities and Markets | 3 |
| FIN 6380 | Derivative Securities and Markets | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ECON 6850 | Applied Financial Economics Capstone | 3 |
| ECON 6550 | Applied Optimization Methods for Financial Economics | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Two-Year Roadmap
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ECON 6000 | Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 6050 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 6060 | Econometrics II | 3 |
| ECON 6520 | Forecasting Macroeconomic and Financial Variables | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| ITM 6400 | Applied Business Analytics | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| FIN 6150 | Finance Theory and Application | 3 |
| FIN 6210 | Fixed Income Securities and Markets | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| FIN 6380 | Derivative Securities and Markets | 3 |
| FIN 6160 | Equity Securities and Markets | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| ECON 6850 | Applied Financial Economics Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Graduate Business Admission Team
314-977-3800
gradbiz@slu.edu