- Location
- New York, NY 10027
- Application deadline
- May 1
The Department of Mathematics at Columbia University offers a Master of Arts program in Mathematics with specialization in the Mathematics of Finance (MAFN). It is co-sponsored by the Department of Statistics, and it draws on the diverse strengths of the university in mathematics, statistics, stochastic processes, numerical methods, and financial applications.
Director: Jeahyuk Choi
Admissions
The program attracts students whose academic background is in quantitative areas such as mathematics, statistics, physics, economics, computer science, or engineering. Most have previous work experience or internship experience in finance.
Admissions
Full Time and Part Time
The program may be followed either full-time or part-time. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas must register full-time. Full-time students complete the program in two or three semesters, while part-time students typically take 2-3 years. In the past, most full-time students graduated after two semesters, but now most of them take advantage of the three semester option.
Governance
The program is overseen by a steering committee consisting of faculty from the departments of mathematics and statistics, including the two department chairs.
Curriculum
We strive for a balance between rigorous theoretical courses and cutting-edge applied courses, the latter in many cases taught by professionals from the financial industry. In addition to the finance, mathematics and statistics course offered by the program, the students can take courses from all over the university.
Our Curriculum
Structure
The three semester option: Full time students, including all international students, have the option to stay in the program for three semesters. Most of the students choose this option. It allows them to
(1) take four courses instead of five in each of the two first semesters,
(2) do internships during the summer and the third semester,
(3) take additional elective courses beyond the degree requirements, and
(4) conduct a thorough and well informed job search during the third semester.
In connection with the three semester option, we have introduced an MAFN Fieldwork course (CPT), which allows both domestic and international students to do paid internships in the financial industry and earn credit towards the degree.
In addition to elective courses offered by the departments of mathematics and statistics, many students also take electives from computer science, engineering, finance (B-school), economics, etc., including courses in data science and machine learning.
Director: Jeahyuk Choi
Admissions
The program attracts students whose academic background is in quantitative areas such as mathematics, statistics, physics, economics, computer science, or engineering. Most have previous work experience or internship experience in finance.
Admissions
Full Time and Part Time
The program may be followed either full-time or part-time. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas must register full-time. Full-time students complete the program in two or three semesters, while part-time students typically take 2-3 years. In the past, most full-time students graduated after two semesters, but now most of them take advantage of the three semester option.
Governance
The program is overseen by a steering committee consisting of faculty from the departments of mathematics and statistics, including the two department chairs.
Curriculum
We strive for a balance between rigorous theoretical courses and cutting-edge applied courses, the latter in many cases taught by professionals from the financial industry. In addition to the finance, mathematics and statistics course offered by the program, the students can take courses from all over the university.
Our Curriculum
Structure
The three semester option: Full time students, including all international students, have the option to stay in the program for three semesters. Most of the students choose this option. It allows them to
(1) take four courses instead of five in each of the two first semesters,
(2) do internships during the summer and the third semester,
(3) take additional elective courses beyond the degree requirements, and
(4) conduct a thorough and well informed job search during the third semester.
In connection with the three semester option, we have introduced an MAFN Fieldwork course (CPT), which allows both domestic and international students to do paid internships in the financial industry and earn credit towards the degree.
In addition to elective courses offered by the departments of mathematics and statistics, many students also take electives from computer science, engineering, finance (B-school), economics, etc., including courses in data science and machine learning.
