The MSF faculty at Bentley is always looking for ways to update the finance curriculum to best match the needs of today’s financial careers. To that end, effective Spring 2017, the Bentley Master of Science in Finance will be a two-path degree program.

The first is a 10-course Finance path that is similar to the current degree and can be completed in 9 to 15 months. The new 12-course Quantitative Path, with STEM designation, will have more of a mathematical and capital market focus and can be completed in 15 to 20 months.

This Master of Finance (Financial Analytics) program now joins Bentley’s Technology and Analytics programs (Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics, Human Factors in Information Design and Information Technology) by having a STEM CIP code as classified by the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security. This initiative not only allows students to learn skills in science, technology, engineering, and math, but also provides the potential (subject to USCIS approval) for extended U.S. work authorization for international students totaling 36 months.

This designation also has international implications, in that international students undertaking a STEM degree are eligible for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Under the prior rules, an F-1 student could be authorized to receive up to a total of 12 months of practical training either before and/or after completion of studies. The STEM designation allows international students to gain valuable work experience by staying in the United States longer — with the ability to extend training period by 24 months to stay and work in the U.S. for a total of three years.

For more detailed information on the curriculum, check out the MS Finance Program Guide or review the curriculum below.