FAQs: other questions

Q: How does the Kent State Financial Engineering Program distinguish itself from similar programs?
A: Kent State University’s Master of Science in Financial Engineering is one of three (3) Centers of Excellence within the College of Business Administration.

In addition to our excellent faculty, excellent faculty / student ratio and modern facilities, other unique qualities of The Master of Science in Financial Engineering Include:

1.) Kent State University is home to the first academic trading floor with live derivatives exchange data. The Olga A. Mural Financial Engineering Trading Floor cost $2.2M to build and has an annual operating budget of $450,000. Our state-of-the-art, on-campus Trading Floor simulates market trading conditions and provides hands-on training in financial analysis and risk management.

2.) Our Financial Engineering students are introduced to the financial industry through our Guest Speaker/Training Series. Speakers from different areas of the financial industry come to Kent and interact directly with students providing both practical background information as well as instruction in their areas of expertise. We understand the importance of networking and introduce our students to as many industry experts as possible. Expert trainers on the major software packages used on financial trading floors are also brought on-campus to conduct formal training in the tools students will use upon graduation. Overall, we provide students with broad theoretical and practical coverage of the many different facets of the Financial Industry.

3.) Annual class trips to Chicago and New York are conducted to introduce the students to the exchanges and additional aspects of the financial industry.

4.) In the Summer semester, each student participates in an industry-based project. These project Internships are ten (10) weeks in length and provide students an opportunity to put their theoretical course work and formal training to use on real-world problems.

5.) Finally, the program maintains a respected and active Industry-based Advisory Board who advise and review the MSFE program to ensure that graduates of the program are prepared to meet the needs of prospective employers.

Q: How many students are admitted each year?
A: We may extend admission offers to up to twenty-four (24) students each year. Admissions are intentionally capped to maintain a high faculty / student ratio. All MSFE facilities, such as the Olga A. Mural Financial Engineering Trading Floor, have been developed to insure that each student admitted will have equal access to exception facilities and tools.

Q: How recognized is the Kent State Financial Engineering Program?
A: The Financial Engineering Program is ranked thirteenth in North America by Global-Derivatives.com.

Q: Can I apply for the Financial Engineering Program and begin the program in either the Spring or the Summer semester?
A: The Financial Engineering Program is a one year, lock-step program. Classes begin only in the Fall semester of each year.

Q: What is a lock-step program?
A: A lock-step program is one in which the students in the program take all of their courses together. Academic and practical experience activities all planned specifically for each semester.

Q: How long is the Financial Engineering Program?
A: MSFE is an intensive 36 credit hour program that takes 12 months to complete. Students are only admitted in the Fall semester and graduate the following August.

Q: What are my alternatives if I am missing one or more of the pre-requisites courses?
A: There are essentially two options that students needing three or fewer pre-requisite courses may consider:

1.) Complete the required courses at Kent State University in the Spring and/or Summer semesters prior to the beginning of the MSFE program in Fall. A conditional admission can be granted contingent upon your successful completion [grade(s) of B or better] of the required course work prior to the beginning of the Fall semester.

2.) Complete equivalent course work at any other accredited college or university – again attaining the grade(s) of B or better. Here again, a conditional admission can be granted with the further requirement that official transcripts showing your successful completion are received by Kent State University as soon as possible following.

Q: Is the Financial Engineering Program offered on a part time basis?
A: The Master of Science in Financial Engineering is only offered as a full-time program.

Q: Does Kent State University off the Master of Science in Financial Engineering as an online or distance learning degree program?
A: We do not offer an online or distance learning options in Financial Engineering program.

Q: How many international students attend the program annually?
A: International enrollment varies year-to-year; however, international student enrollment typically ranges fro 50% - 66%.

Q: What is the basic difference between a degree in financial engineering and a degree a quantitative finance?
A: Quantitative finance use math tools in corporate finance such as forecasting, planning, capital budgeting, etc. Financial engineering uses math tools to price out derivative contracts and manage risk.