Quantitative Methods in Finance

The Quantitative Methods in Finance microcredential helps you prepare for a career in financial services, investment management and consulting. With finance professionals earning a median salary nearly double that of other fields, this microcredential offers a strong investment in career advancement.

You will also gain access to UAlbany’s world-class faculty for developing your knowledge and skill in quantitative methods in Finance.

Completion Requirements

To earn this nine-credit microcredential, you will complete three graduate-level courses.

• AECO 520 Quantitative Methods I: Gain proficiency in statistical inference and regression techniques applied to economic and financial datasets.
• AECO 521 Quantitative Methods II: Continuation of Eco 520 with advanced regression and forecasting models, and methods of analyzing time-series and cross-section data.
• AECO 567 Quantitative Methods in Finance: Apply data analytics to financial asset pricing, valuation, investment strategies, forecasting. Gain exposure to use Python and R to conduct empirical analyses of financial data.

This microcredential is self-contained; there is no background knowledge required. However, non-UAlbany students will need to apply as a non-degree student. 

It is recommended to start with AECO 520 and AECO 521 to learn the foundation of data analytics and then study AECO 567. 

Learning Objectives

Learners who complete this microcredential will be prepared to perform the following analyses:

• Financial Time Series and their Characteristics: Analyze asset return distributions, autocorrelation and stationarity.
• Linear Pricing Models: Apply CAPM and multi-factor regressions to estimate risk-return relationship, evaluate portfolio performance and design factor-based investment strategies.
• Term Structure Models: Model interest rate dynamics and construct yield curve for fixed income valuation and risk management.
• Option Pricing: Implement a binomial tree model for European and American options, and extract implied volatility for developing hedging strategies
• Asset Volatility: Build ARCH/GARCH volatility models to forecast volatility, model time-varying correlations and conditional betas, and apply these models to construct minimum-variance portfolios for risk management.
• High Frequency Data: Model tick-level prices to estimate realized volatility and analyze trade duration, and account for market microstructure effects.  

Eligibility & Registration

You can complete the Quantitative Methods in Finance microcredential on the way to an MA in Economics, since all courses are stackable, or you can earn it as a stand-alone credential as a non-degree professional learner.

• Current UAlbany students: Contact your graduate advisor to register for the required courses.  
• Professional learners: Apply for non-degree study to register for the required courses. You will need to submit an application and transcript showing your highest degree received. An application fee and an accredited bachelor’s degree is required.

Cost

View current graduate tuition rates.

Earning the Badge

Once you successfully complete all required courses, please email [email protected] to request access to the completion form to receive your Credly badge.