NYU Stern’s Online MSQM: Inside ‘This Incredible Community’

Kim Corfman:

POETS&QUANTS’ Q&A WITH KIM CORFMAN, NYU STERN VICE DEAN OF LEARNING INNOVATION AND ACADEMIC DIRECTOR OF THE ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN QUANTITATIVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Poets&Quants: How is NYU’s online MSQM program different from other MiMs on the market today?

Kim Corfman: Most Master’s in Management programs include one to two years of graduate level coursework in business management. NYU Stern’s Master’s in Quantitative Management is very similar in that it provides the MBA core courses, however we are unique in offering additional courses in data analytics. The goal of this program is to develop not only leaders, but data-savvy managers.

Another feature that sets Stern’s MSQM apart from other programs is the structure. The 20-month program is delivered online with mostly asynchronous content, making it very flexible for working professionals. To kick off the program, we host Residential Immersions at Stern, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, which gives students the unique opportunity to connect with other business leaders as well as Stern’s world-renowned faculty. The time students spend together on campus sets the stage for successful virtual collaboration and lifelong relationships after graduation when they join Stern’s 110,000-strong alumni network.

What exactly are you looking for in a candidate/applicant?

We are looking for students who will succeed academically while contributing to this incredible community we have built at Stern. The MSQM program is a balance of business with data, so candidates need to be able to think critically and analytically to do well in their courses. The program maintains a cohort model, allowing students to work collaboratively and develop strong personal and professional relationships with each other, so we look for candidates who bring that crucial mix of IQ + EQ that Stern is known for.

What are three or four things that are really core to your program, and how can an applicant best make his or her application express those things?

One of the key components of Stern’s MSQM program design is that students take one short class at a time, allowing them to really focus on a single subject for mastery. We want our students to be excited to learn in this fast-paced environment, knowing that they can immediately apply what they learn in the professional setting.

Additionally, Stern’s MSQM curriculum is carefully crafted to incorporate leading-edge topics to give students the tools necessary to navigate and lead in today’s data-driven business landscape. We look for students with a natural curiosity and passion for these highly relevant emerging areas of study.

Another aspect that is core to the community is the diverse perspectives our cohorts bring in and outside of the learning environment, which strengthens our community. We are looking for candidates from all different academic and professional backgrounds.

In what ways can a Master in Management provide an advantage over an MBA?

Well, the great thing about Stern’s MS in Quantitative Management program is that you actually don’t have to choose! Students can begin in the MSQM program and have the option to complete it or transfer to the Langone Part-Time MBA program, apply all earned credits, and get an MBA instead. Both the MSQM and MBA are great degrees providing business knowledge and skills. It is important for an applicant to reflect on what qualities they are looking for in a program, as good program fit is the biggest advantage. The MSQM is shorter, and therefore less expensive, and there is no work experience requirement, so it is an excellent choice for early-career professionals. At the same time, our students who are more advanced in their careers also benefit from the MSQM program’s focus on foundational and theoretical business content, alongside analytics essentials.

What are some impressions of your program that you’d like to dispel, and what are some things about the curriculum and community that you’d like more people to know about?

Distance education doesn’t mean distant students. Our MSQM students are extremely collaborative and engaged in the community. They have developed excellent communication and collaboration skills on the foundation of the residential immersions. These in-person experiences at the start of the first and second academic years establish a standard for the positive learning environment we want to achieve. This structure also prepares students with community building skills that serve them well in today’s global business landscape, where teams are often spread across geographies.

Additionally, people often think this program is exclusively for those with education or experience in a quantitative field. Our program is not only for people with computer programing, math, or statistics backgrounds. It is designed to be accessible to students with a wide range of backgrounds who desire the fluency in data analytics that will set them apart.

DON’T MISS NYU STERN JUMPS INTO THE ONLINE MiM SPACE, LOOKING TO DOMINATE and NYU STERN SEATS ELITE MBA CLASS OF 2025, BUT APPS FALL AGAIN