Helpful for: MBA Applicants

Read Time: 7 minutes

Quick Facts:

• Traditional MBA programs are becoming more flexible and are starting to bend to technological developments, thus offering more tech modules in their curriculum.

• Alex Min, CEO of the MBA Exchange notes an increase in hybrid programs—specialized master’s in finance degrees that offer a mix of on-campus and online learning. This gives a greater opportunity for students to explore topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and algorithmic trading.

• Several MBA programs at top universities, including Harvard and Stanford, have added technical courses, in an effort not to fall behind competitors. Beecher Tuttle adds:

Selected Quote:

Over the following year, Harvard MBAs built its CODE club into “one of the largest, most active organizations on campus,” including hackathons and data science and blockchain workshops, according to a follow-up piece… It likely wasn’t a coincidence then that Harvard rolled out a joint degree last fall that confers its traditional MBA program with an MS in engineering sciences. HBS also offers a standalone business-focused version of its introduction to computer science class, one of its more popular electives taken up by people like English majors turned J.P. Morgan bankers.  Stanford has also launched a similar hybrid two-year MBA program that it combined with an MS in computer science and electrical engineering.

• According to Stacy Blackman Consulting, MBA students should begin to realize the significance coding and data analytics will have on their future careers. If they don’t, they’ll be at a disadvantage when compared to colleagues who are up to scratch with the technical skills in demand.

• NYU’s Stern School of Business is now offering an elective non-credit introductory course for learning to code with Python. This programming language is becoming popular in the banking industry— Citi has decided to offer a continuing education course for Python, following an interest in the skill from traders.

Useful Information:

• Traditional MBA programs are becoming a thing of the past. When choosing where to study, consider the flexibility of teaching and the relevance of courses offered in the program’s curriculum. Remember to keep up with news on current industry trends and technological developments in business, and you will be one step ahead of the crowd.

 

Source: eFinancialCareers