The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Quantitative Economics and Finance is a one-year, capstone-focused program designed to equip students with advanced analytical skills for careers in business, banking, consulting, government, and non-profit sectors. The curriculum integrates core economic theory with practical applications, offering students a choice between three tracks: Quantitative Economics, Finance, or a General Emphasis. This program provides more applied training than a traditional M.A. in Economics and more in-depth economic, statistical, and econometric training than most M.B.A. programs. A significant strength of the program is its emphasis on modern data analytics, advanced econometric techniques, and proficiency with statistical software packages like R, Stata, and Python, using large-scale financial and microeconomic datasets.
All students begin with the same core courses in the fall quarter. In the winter and spring quarters, coursework diverges based on the chosen track: Quantitative Economics, Finance, or General Emphasis. Students have the flexibility to take additional courses beyond the required curriculum.
Graduates of the Quantitative Economics and Finance M.S. program are well-prepared for diverse roles in both the private and public sectors. The program's applied focus and rigorous training in quantitative methods and data analysis lead to successful career placements at leading companies and institutions.
Residency for tuition purposes is determined by the University of California system. International students are classified as non-residents. For more information on establishing California residency for tuition purposes, please visit the UC Santa Cruz Registrar's 'Residency for Tuition Purposes' page. Deadlines for submitting residency documents are typically in June or July for graduate students.
The Quantitative Economics and Finance M.S. program is a one-year, capstone-focused master's degree.
Students can choose between three tracks: Quantitative Economics, Finance, or a General Emphasis.
Tuition and fee information for international students is not specified. Estimated living costs are also not detailed; please consult the UC Santa Cruz Financial Aid website for graduate student costs.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as Data Scientist, Financial Analyst, Economist, Consultant, Quantitative Analyst, Investment Banker, and Management Consultant.
Please refer to the UC Santa Cruz Graduate Admissions website for the specific application deadline for the upcoming academic year.
The program emphasizes data analytics and econometrics, training students in statistical software packages like R, Stata, and Python.