Starting in the fall 2018 semester, the University of New Orleans will offer a master of science degree in finance. The professional degree for students who want to specialize in finance is a 30-credit hour program, which can be completed in 15 months by full-time students or 18 months by part-time students.

"Students in this program will receive broad and deep exposure to finance and financial markets," said Walter Lane, chair and associate professor of finance and economics. "We will focus on skills that are valued by employers in areas such as quantitative methods, corporate finance, financial reporting and analysis, derivatives, investments and portfolio management."

The demand for financial analysts is expected to grow 16 percent faster than average from now through 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The curriculum of the program is tailored to prepare students who want to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. A student must pass three exams in order to obtain the CFA charter. The combination of the prestigious CFA designation and the master's degree in finance will give graduates an edge in the job market, Lane said.