Financial Economics
Master of Science in Financial Economics

The Master of Science in Financial Economics is a designated STEM degree program that will give you the financial knowledge, analytical skills and real-world experience to launch a successful career.
Is this program right for you?
The Master of Science in Financial Economics program emphasizes modern quantitative methods in finance and econometrics. Students are taught the theories that guide financial practices and the highly sought-after quantitative skills that are necessary to perform sophisticated financial analyses.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s rich tradition in economics and econometrics and finance puts it in a unique position to provide the rigorous training offered by this program. Our programs are continually ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report.
The Master of Science in Financial Economics is a designated STEM degree program that will give you the theoretical knowledge, quantitative skills and real-world experience to launch a successful career. As a joint program between the Wisconsin School of Business’ Finance Department and the Department of Economics, you have access to faculty and services in both areas — including access to the first-rate Finance Analytics Lab with specialized Bloomberg terminals.
The emphasis on data-driven, state-of-the-art quantitative methods differentiates our program from other master’s programs in finance or financial engineering.
Is this program right for you?
The Master of Science in Financial Economics program emphasizes modern quantitative methods in finance and econometrics. Students are taught the theories that guide financial practices and the highly sought-after quantitative skills that are necessary to perform sophisticated financial analyses.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s rich tradition in economics and econometrics and finance puts it in a unique position to provide the rigorous training offered by this program. Our programs are continually ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report.
The Master of Science in Financial Economics is a designated STEM degree program that will give you the theoretical knowledge, quantitative skills and real-world experience to launch a successful career. As a joint program between the Wisconsin School of Business’ Finance Department and the Department of Economics, you have access to faculty and services in both areas — including access to the first-rate Finance Analytics Lab with specialized Bloomberg terminals.
The emphasis on data-driven, state-of-the-art quantitative methods differentiates our program from other master’s programs in finance or financial engineering.
Admissions requirements
All applicants must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have completed a total of three semesters of calculus and linear algebra.
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. The required proficiency scores are: TOEFL IBT 92, PBT 580; or IELTS 7.0.
Application materials required:
- Online application
- Statement of purpose
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
Connect with us
Engineering Management Master's Program (Online) Q&A
June 07
noon-12:45 p.m.
Drop by the zoom room to ask your questions to the graduate program director, Heather Smith. Learn about our master's program curriculum, application process, post-graduation career paths and more.
Register for Engineering Management Master's Program (Online) Q&A
Program Overview: Data Analytics for Decision Making
June 09
noon-12:30 p.m.
Learn about the Data Analytics for Decision Making Capstone Certificate including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.
Register for Program Overview: Data Analytics for Decision Making
Program highlights
- Joint program with unique access to Economics and Finance faculty.
- Small cohort with individualized attention.
- Career coaching/workshops and placement assistance from both the Wisconsin School of Business and the Department of Economics.
University of Wisconsin–Madison economics and econometrics are continually highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
How you'll learn
- Classes are held face-to-face on the UW–Madison campus.
- Rigorous coursework prepares students for careers in industry and academia.
- Faculty have created cutting edge courses that provide students with in-demand analytical skills unique to the world of finance including training in Python, R, and Stata.
Sample curriculum
Required Courses
- Macroeconomics I
- Econometrics I
- Financial Microeconomics
- Financial Econometrics
- Investment Theory
- Corporation Finance Theory & Practice
- Derivative Securities Theory & Practice
- Advanced Derivative Securities
Electives
Take one additional elective course in Finance and one additional elective course in Economics.
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Contemporary Topics
- Economic Statistics and Econometrics I
- Economic Theory-Microeconomics Sequence
- Economic Theory-Macroeconomics Sequence
- Machine Learning for Economists
- International Financial Economics
- Data Analytics for Economists
Ready to learn more about Financial Economics?
View the UW-Madison Guide
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Connect with our enrollment coaches
Our friendly, knowledgeable enrollment coaches are here to answer your questions. Contact an enrollment coach to:
- Learn how to make this program work with your life/schedule
- Verify credit transfers
- Get help with your application
- Determine if financial aid is available
Visit with our coaches on campus or at an upcoming student fair in your area. Search student fairs & events.