Future online Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidates at Florida State University can opt for a newly introduced specialization in alternative investments and finance. Designed to furnish essential financial competencies that are currently in high demand, this new specialization capitalizes on FSU’s nationally recognized programs in finance, real estate, and risk management and insurance.

Modern investors are decreasing their dependence on conventional investments such as stocks, bonds, and cash, opting instead to diversify their portfolios with more alternative investments. Analysts indicate that the type of alternative investment and the motivation behind it can differ for each investor:

• Some may be attracted to the income potential related to real estate investment.
• Others might aim for intrinsic and possibly financial rewards available to angel investors funding startup businesses.
• Many have opted to implement strategies like hedge funds or cryptocurrencies, which can yield higher returns but also carry increased risks.
• Conversely, some may be pursuing greater stability and reduced volatility as they observe the erratic stock market.

No matter the reason, the alternative investment sector is witnessing remarkable expansion, climbing from 6% of global investable markets two decades ago to an estimated 24% at present, according to the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA). The rising figures underscore that this is no longer the financial landscape that previous generations recognized, and the FSU College of Business is prepared to equip the forthcoming generation of fund managers for the ongoing changes in the industry.

“With assets predicted to exceed $29 trillion by 2030, alternative investments can no longer be viewed as a niche sector,” stated Kelsey Syvrud, assistant chair of FSU’s Department of Finance and director of the Gene Taylor/Bank of America Banking and Financial Studies Center. “Investors are broadening their allocations beyond traditional markets, increasing investments in asset classes like private credit, private equity, and real assets, especially with the emergence of private-public partnerships and semi-liquid, hence more accessible, investment vehicles.”

This growth creates additional employment opportunities for business graduates who comprehend both alternative investments and risk-oriented decision-making, she noted.

“As the demand for specific expertise intensifies, professionals knowledgeable in alternative asset strategies will be primed for significant roles in the sector,” Syvrud added.

Kathleen McCullough, senior associate dean for academic affairs and Kathryn Magee Kip Professor of Risk Management and Insurance, mentioned that the curriculum of the new major aligns well with the graduate studies already provided by the college, benefiting from the combined expertise of faculty. These studies encompass the online MBA real estate specialization and the online master’s program in risk management and insurance, both of which achieved Top 10 recognition this year among public universities in the rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The newly structured, entirely online MBA major also addresses an urgent need across the nation, McCullough stated. Many finance programs in MBA studies concentrate on traditional asset management, corporate finance, and public markets. To excel in today’s investment realm, graduates will require more education in alternative investment assets, including private equity, hedge funds, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and commodities, digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, and insurance-linked securities.

“While this market is expanding rapidly, there is a shortage of specialized graduates in alternative investments both in Florida and nationwide,” McCullough explained. “Most current programs are general business curricula that offer a few electives in alternative investments. Our new major offers students a core curriculum focused on alternative assets while also mastering the essential critical-thinking and management skills expected of MBA graduates.”

Darren Brooks, MBA program coordinator and assistant chair of FSU’s Department of Management, emphasized that those pursuing the new major will be “equipped with the professional knowledge to navigate the transforming financial landscape.” The curriculum for the new major provides students with another avenue to customize their MBA studies according to their career aspirations and sectors of interest, he noted.

Faculty members contributing to the launch of the new MBA major in alternative investments and finance indicated that ideal candidates encompass the following:

• Professionals from finance, business, or related fields aiming to cultivate specialized knowledge in private markets and alternative asset strategies.
• Individuals with backgrounds in finance, real estate, or risk management and insurance looking to refine their investment and portfolio management capabilities.
• Mid-career professionals or individuals shifting careers seeking advanced education in rapidly growing domains such as private equity, alternative financing approaches, and real estate finance.
• Aspiring leaders in investment management, family offices, or institutional roles desiring a well-rounded business education with an emphasis on alternatives.
• Graduate candidates seeking a broader, more strategic alternative to a conventional master’s in finance.

June 1 is the cutoff date for those applying for fall admission into the Online MBA format with a specialization in alternative investments and finance. All online and part-time MBA formats are also currently accepting applications until October 1 for spring admission. All the college’s master’s programs are Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) optional.

Discover more and request information at mba.fsu.edu.

The article New Master of Business Administration major to meet finance industry demand was first published on Florida State University News.