Quantitative Finance and Economics
The program requires 30 credit hours with thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option appeals to students with an interest in a particular research question or who plan to pursue a Ph.D.; students will work under the direction of their faculty mentor with oversight of two or more faculty with expertise in the topic area. The degree program has 18 credit hours of required courses and 12 credit hours of prescribed electives. Required courses provide quantitative and theoretical modeling sought after in industry; electives provide enhanced knowledge in a specific technical area. Classes are held in the evening, and students can attend full or part-time. Full-time students can complete the program in three or four semesters.
Students learn to apply analytical and risk management tools to economic and financial data to inform business decisions.
All McCoy College degree programs are accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The accounting degree programs also hold separate accreditation by AACSB.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Janet Payne
mccoymsqfe@txstate.edu
512.245.2547
McCoy Hall (MCOY), Room 510
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Diego Vacaflores
businessgraduate@txstate.edu
512.245.3591
McCoy Hall (MCOY), Room 530
“Unlike other graduate programs, the primary objective of MSQFE is to equip students with quantitative techniques and tools in data science with the goal of boosting their competitiveness in the finance and economics job markets.ˮ
– Dr. Andrew Ojede, Associate Professor of Economics
Course Work
The program requires 30 credit hours with thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option appeals to students with an interest in a particular research question or who plan to pursue a Ph.D.; students will work under the direction of their faculty mentor with oversight of two or more faculty with expertise in the topic area. The degree program has 18 credit hours of required courses and 12 credit hours of prescribed electives. Required courses provide quantitative and theoretical modeling sought after in industry; electives provide enhanced knowledge in a specific technical area. Classes are held in the evening, and students can attend full or part-time. Full-time students can complete the program in three or four semesters.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. | 30 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.S. | 30 | Thesis | No minor |
Growth in occupations requiring quantitative finance and economics skills in Texas is expected to be up to 30% with median annual wages at least twice the national average.
Program Mission
The mission of the Department of Finance and Economics is to provide students involved in its educational programs an opportunity to recognize the importance of the lifelong pursuit of truth, acceptance of individual responsibility, and contribution to the common good of society. Departmental programs seek to develop informed, critically thinking citizens capable of functioning in a highly complex, interdependent, global society. Majors are prepared for service, technical analysis, and management positions found in corporate, financial, and public institutions. Majors are also prepared for financial planning services, teaching, and various graduate school programs.
Program Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Finance and Economics have diverse research interests, including foreign direct investment and international remittance flows, sports economics, environmental economics, law and economics, corporate finance, cross-listing of stocks, bond and loan pricing, and energy finance. Research has been published in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals such as Southern Economic Journal, Contemporary Economic Policy, Harvard Environmental Law Review, Annals of Regional Science, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Prediction Markets, Journal of Alternative Investments, and Energy Risk.
Career Options
Graduates will possess important marketable skills, including the abilities to analyze financial and economic data, perform high-quality financial and economic analyses, and communicate the results and implications of these analyses to inform business decisions.
Examples of careers include:
- economist
- quantitative risk analyst
- business analyst
- financial analyst
- financial manager
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a firm deadline. |
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a competitive GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- background course work
- minimum grade of B in the following:
- Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (ECO 2314, ECO 2315 or equivalent)
- Quantitative Methods and Statistics (QMST 2333 or equivalent)
- Business Calculus (MATH 1329 or equivalent)
- Business Finance (FIN 3312 or equivalent)
- minimum grade of B in the following:
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE or GMAT Scores
- official GRE (general test only) or GMAT required with competitive scores
For potential test waiver information, please visit the McCoy College of Business GMAT/GRE Waiver website.
Review important information about official test scores.
*Effective Fall 2023
- official GMAT/GRE (general test only) not required for applicants with a last-60-hours GPA of 3.5 or higher. If the last-60-hours GPA falls below the minimum requirement of 3.5, the official GMAT or GRE (general test only) with competitive scores will be required in order to be considered. The Graduate College will notify applicants via email should this occur.
Documents
- responses to specific essay questions (two essays are required):
- Why have you chosen to pursue a graduate business degree at Texas State University? What do you hope to accomplish during your time in the program?
- Tell us about your three most significant accomplishments. Why do you view them as such? What lessons did you learn from them?
- optional personal statement: in cover-letter format, you may address the admissions committee about anything related to your background, application, and/or desire to attend graduate school at Texas State University
- resume/CV detailing work experience, extracurricular and community activities, and honors and achievements
- three letters of recommendation from individuals best able to assess your ability to succeed in graduate school
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of
- 19 listening
- 19 reading
- 19 speaking
- 18 writing
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.