Brandeis International Business School

FinTech report: Brandeis International Business School a global leader

Pioneer Institute highlights Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program as universities worldwide adapt to financial technology disruption

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Brandeis International Business School announced its FinTech concentration in 2018.

An independent report by the Pioneer Institute highlights Brandeis International Business School’s innovative FinTech concentration as an “exemplar” among top higher education institutions working to fill the financial technology skills gap.

The report comes as digital technology rapidly reshapes the finance industry and universities around the globe struggle to keep up with shifting workforce demands.

Brandeis International Business School announced its FinTech concentration in 2018 as part of the full-time Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program.

The Pioneer Institute, an independent public-policy research organization based in Massachusetts, defines FinTech as “diverse digital technology changes impacting banking, insurance and other sectors of the finance industry.”

In “Preparing Students for a Future in FinTech,” the organization writes that although the rise of FinTech has drawn widespread attention, “many leading business schools aren’t yet getting it right.” The report goes on to highlight the successful launch of FinTech courses and programs at Brandeis as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Pennsylvania, Columbia, Stanford, Georgetown and Oxford universities.

“Brandeis University in Waltham offers dedicated FinTech degree paths for MS in Finance candidates,” the report states. “Over two years, students complete courses such as Python and Applications to Finance, Quantitative Investment Management, Predictive Analytics and FinTech in Corporate Innovation, Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance, Computer Simulation and Risk, Corporate Financial Engineering and Technological Rivalry.”

The report recommends the creation of new FinTech coursework, degree tracks and certificate programs at public universities and colleges in Massachusetts. The new coursework should include topics such as machine learning, data analysis and programming languages like Python, which the report notes is already a prerequisite for Brandeis International Business School students taking the Machine Learning and Data Analysis for Business and Finance course.

“With the example of leading graduate business programs at MIT and Brandeis in mind, Massachusetts public universities might also consider building in more forecasting and analytics training at the undergraduate and graduate level,” the report states.

The financial services industry in Massachusetts employs more than 220,000 people, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, with insurance, banking and asset management the three largest sectors.

The report outlines how FinTech disruption is “beginning to ascend the skill ladder,” moving from data entry and accounts payable to areas like investment advising, portfolio management, securities services, wealth management, sales and trading.

But such changes also present new opportunities.

The report goes on to describe New England as a “hub” for FinTech innovation, with companies attracting $750 million in investment through early 2016. FinTech companies, the report states, are rapidly gaining market share and competing with established enterprises by “improving and automating the delivery of financial services.”

“The Pioneer Institute report sheds light on how important FinTech is to the future of finance,” said Brandeis International Business School Dean Kathryn Graddy. “Our FinTech concentration is just the latest example of our school’s deep and continuing commitment to providing students from around the world with the cutting-edge training they need to build successful careers in business, economics and finance.”