The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation, awarded by the CFA Institute, is recognized globally as the gold standard in investment management credentials. Earning the CFA charter requires passing three challenging exams and acquiring professional experience in the financial industry. With fewer than 20% of candidates completing the full program, the CFA charter signals deep expertise, discipline and professional integrity.
The CFA charter is valued by employers around the world to identify professionals with exceptional finance acumen and ethical grounding. It opens doors to high-level roles such as portfolio manager, securities analyst or chief investment officer. The CFA Institute also serves the global financial community through continuing education, rigorous research and advocacy for ethical investment practices.
With the integrated CFA® coverage, hands-on training and access to expert faculty, UB’s Master’s in Economics program provides a robust springboard into the financial industry. Students gain technical skills, market fluency and certification preparation—tools that employers value across sectors.
At UB, the Master’s in Economics program offers a unique pathway for students preparing for the CFA® Level I exam. Two elective courses—Practicum in Financial Economics I and II—closely align with the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), enabling students to apply theory to real-world investment decisions.
Course Timing Advantage: These courses are offered during the academic year, concluding just in time for students to sit for the Level I CFA Exam in June.
While Practicum in Financial Economics I and II support CFA® preparation, they go beyond exam content, integrating broader academic and practical learning essential to financial careers.
These courses aim to:
Matthew Krajna, CFA