Approximately half of the curriculum will be comprised of innovative classes focused on Python programming, machine learning, blockchain and the foundations of FinTech. The degree is aimed at equipping students with the skills necessary to understand today’s financial markets and to give them a thorough understanding of how tech is disrupting the traditional financial sector.
The degree seeks to address the growing interest shown by traditional financial firms in incoming FinTech players. As these firms have increasingly turned towards trade schools, boot camps, colleges and universities to create courses focused in the areas where they need reinforcement, Creighton is attempting to preempt the skill mismatch sooner, at the college level. “Compared to five to ten years ago, the finance field has become far more data-driven in all sub-disciplines of finance, including investments, corporate finance, banking, risk, and insurance,” said Lee Dunham, associate professor of finance and the initiator of the FinTech major. “Consequently, having students just acquire the relevant finance ‘textbook knowledge’ is increasingly becoming insufficient to remain competitive in the workforce.”