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, finance, management, or marketing. The program's orientation toward application as opposed to theory enhances opportunities for graduates in a broad range of occupations and institutions. The program places strong emphasis on corporate governance and ethics which includes recognition of FIN 5311 by MBAprograms.org in the article,
"10 Online MBA Finance Courses."
Consideration may be provided for excellence in previous academic program, GMAT performance, career progression in
industry and/or in military service.
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, CIDM 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
- CIDM 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 CIDM 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.
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. Programs Goals, Objectives, and Rubrics
MSFE Comprehensive Exam
The MSFE comprehensive exam will be offered the second Friday in November and second Friday in April at 9 a.m. The comprehensive examination covers MSFE goals 2, 3, and 4 with an explicit focus on objective 4.1 and an implicit focus on objectives 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, and 4.2. Click on the learning objectives and study hints for exam assistance. Click on Dr. Owens’ Financial Toolkit for a review of corporate finance concepts. The link for the Toolkit is: http://www.jkowens.com/FMT/FMTindex.htm. The spring 2013 comprehensive exam is scheduled for April 19, 2013. Dr. Anne Macy is the exam coordinator.
For more information, contact: Dr. LaVelle Mills, associate dean of graduate business programs at lmills@wtamu.edu;
Dr. Duane Rosa, professor of economics at drosa@wtamu.edu; or
Dr. Anne Macy, professor of finance at amacy@wtamu.edu.
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