MS in Operations Research — Methods in Finance (MSOR Methods in Finance)
An online operations-research master focused on quantitative methods in finance. Its 21-credit core combines optimisation, probability, stochastic models and financial engineering, followed by three specialist electives.
What you’ll study
Core
- Optimization Models and Methods (FE) OR Optimization Models and Methods
- Probability and Statistics
- Stochastic Models OR Stochastic Models (FE)
- Quantitative Corporate Finance
- Simulation OR Monte Carlo Simulation
- Foundations of Financial Engineering
- FE: Continuous Time Models
Electives
- Game Theoretical Models of Operation
- Dynamic Pricing and Revenue Management
- Pricing Models for Financial Engineering
- Quantitative Risk Management
- Asset Allocation
- Statistical Analysis and Time Series
- Fixed Income and Term Structure Modeling
- Beyond Black-Scholes: The Implied Volatility Smile
- Credit Risk Modeling and Derivatives
- Analysis of Algorithms, I
- Security Pricing Models
- Partial Differential Equations
Source: cvn.columbia.edu ↗
Before you apply
- Background
- Bachelor’s in mathematics, engineering, computer science, economics with a mathematics minor, statistics, physics or another technical discipline; minimum GPA 3.0
- Maths
- Probability; Calculus; Linear algebra
- Programming
- One high-level programming course; C highly recommended
- Tests
- GRE optional
- English
- TOEFL/IELTS may be required if neither undergraduate nor graduate degree used English as the instructional language
- Other
- Three recommendation letters, transcripts, CV and personal professional statement. Rolling applications; submit four to six weeks before the intended semester.
Source: cvn.columbia.edu ↗
After graduation
The programme doesn’t publish an employment report.
Want to see what employers ask for? Browse open quant roles.
A separate Operations Research: Methods in Finance award published by CVN; it is not an online version or asserted rename of Columbia’s campus MS in Financial Engineering. Requires B− or better in the first core sequence before continuing and at least 2.67 cumulative GPA for completion.
Checked 6 November 2026 against the sources linked on this page. Fees, units and requirements change each year, so confirm them on the programme’s website before applying.