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Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance

Master of Science in Finance and Economics (M.S.F.E.)

Introduction

The College of Business at West Texas A&M University offers a Master of Science in Finance and Economics (MSFE). A program like this is offered at few other schools in the United States. We are able to offer the degree at West Texas A&M University because our economics and finance programs reside in the same department. The MSFE is designed for students who want to improve their understanding of economics and finance, particularly those interested in or already working in: (1) Finance institutions and finance departments in business and government; (2) Policy-oriented and community service occupations in the private and public sectors; (3) Economic and financial consulting and advising; (4) Teaching at the high school, community college, or instructor level; (5) Preparation for law school or doctorate programs in economics or finance. The program's orientation toward application as opposed to theory enhances opportunities for graduates in a broad range of occupations and institutions. 

 Degree Requirements

Students seeking a Master of Science in Finance and Economics degree must first establish proficiency in Economics, Finance, Accounting, and Statistics. This proficiency may be established by courses taken in an undergraduate program, by completing advanced standing examinations in these areas, or by taking the following courses: ECON 6300, FIN 6300, ACCT 6300, IDM 6300.

M.S.F.E. Core Courses (24 graduate hours)

  • ECON 6305: Seminar in Advanced Microeconomic Theory
  • ECON 6306: Seminar in Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
  • FIN 5311: Corporate Governance and Ethics
  • FIN 5321 or 6322: Portfolio Management or Security Analysis
  • FIN 6320 or 6370: Seminar in Finance or Financial Management of Biotechnology and Health Care
  • IDM 6320: Econometrics
  • ECON 6341 or FIN 5323: International Economics or International Finance
  • ECON 6312, FIN 6330, or FIN 6350: Money and Banking, Money and Capital Markets, or Seminar in Financial Planning 

 Additional Requirements:

Twelve semester hours of graduate elective courses in economics or finance (excluding leveling courses ACCT 6300, ECON 6300, FIN 6300, or IDM 6300).

Upon completion of all course work for the MSFE degree, the student will be required to take a comprehensive written and/or oral exam covering the core courses and the area of specialization selected by the student and/or submit a writing portfolio. 

Learning Objectives for the MSFE Program

Goal 1: Professional Communication:
Objectives:
1.1 Writing:  Demonstrate capacity to employ written presentation channels to communicate finance and economics research results.
1.2 Oral Communication:  Demonstrate capacity to employ oral presentation channels to communicate finance and economics research results.

Goal 2: Critical Thinking:
Objectives:
2.1 Critical Thinking: Demonstrate capacity to use finance and economic analytical tools to analyze complex problems and recommend feasible solutions.

Goal 3: Business Environment:
Objectives:
3.1 Business Ethics: Demonstrate capacity to recognize and evaluate ethical dimensions of financial decisions and effects on stakeholders.
3.2 Global Business Environment: Demonstrate knowledge of the issues involved in conducting business in a diverse, global environment.

Goal 4: Finance and Economics Integration:
Objectives:
4.1 Theoretical Integration: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of advanced theoretical concepts in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and financial management.
4.2 Quantitative Integration: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of advanced quantitative and statistical skills to solve finance and economic problems.

MSFE Comprehensive Exam

The fall 2009 MSFE comprehensive exam will be offered November 6th at 9 a.m. in the Dean's Conference Room.  The comprehenisve examination covers MSFE goals 3 and 4 with an explicit focus on objective 4.1 and an implicit focus on objectives 3.1, 3.2, and 4.2.  The spring 2010 comprehensive exam will be offered April 2nd. 

 For more information, contact:

Dr. LaVelle Mills, associate dean at 806-651-3866 or email lmills@wtamu.edu.