Program Overview

Financial Technology Program Overview

The Financial Technology program, also known as FinTech, is an innovative application of computer software and networks, and other information technology, on financial institutions and markets. This includes technology enabling digital currencies, digital assets, financial process automation, wealth management and trading, robotic advising, payment and transactions, financial data analysis, credit and lending, and much more.

What is Financial Technology?

Financial technology, or FinTech, describes the innovative applications of computer software and networks, and other information technology, on financial institutions and markets. This includes technology enabling digital currencies (such as cryptocurrencies), digital assets, financial process automation, wealth management and trading, robotic advising, payment and transactions, financial data analysis, credit and lending, and much more.

Develop In-Demand Technical Skills

The program offers an interdisciplinary experience, where students learn financial technologies and how to apply them, including computing fundamentals, blockchain, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, smart contracts. The master’s students also take courses that build their management and communications skills, for a full professional degree.

An Interdisciplinary Experience

• Learn financial technologies and how to apply them—including computing fundamentals, blockchain, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, smart contracts.
• Build management and communications skills—for a full professional degree.

Obtain Hands-On Experience

The master’s program provides real-world experience through a capstone project and internship.

On-Campus or Online

• Gain real-world experience through a capstone project and internship.

Learn from Faculty with Decades of Experience

The program features real-world financial market and FinTech expertise, with faculty including experts from Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, Law School, and Department of Economics.

Faculty Profiles

• Jimmie Lenz: Executive Director, FinTech Master’s Program
• Marvin Chang: Executive In Residence in the Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs
• Jacob Vestal: Executive in Residence in the Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs
• Tam Le Stangler: Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs

Great Graduate Outcomes

The program boasts excellent graduate outcomes, with nearly 9 out of 10 Duke Engineering master’s graduates at work or onto further education within six months of graduation. The graduates are part of a global alumni network spanning multinational companies, small businesses, and exciting startups.

Graduate Outcomes Data

• Nearly 9 out of 10 Duke Engineering master’s graduates are at work or onto further education within six months of graduation.
• Graduates are part of a global alumni network spanning multinational companies, small businesses, and exciting startups.

What Tech Leaders Are Saying

The program has received praise from tech leaders, who highlight its innovative approach to FinTech education and its potential to drive industry change.

Quotes from Tech Leaders

• Jerry Cuomo, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, IBM: "The FinTech industry is moving fast with innovations in digital finance, and artificial intelligence leading the charge. By connecting students to this dynamic sector, we fast-track an infusion of bright energy into the main arena of industry, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise."
• Mingkang Liu, Former Chairman, China Banking Regulatory Commission: "Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering is one of the few in the world that offers a graduate program in FinTech. Based upon its interdisciplinary nature across technology and finance, students will learn state-of-the-art FinTech methodologies and gain extensive hands-on experience, instructed by world-class faculty with academic and industry backgrounds."
• Kate Sampson, Managing Director and Partner, Anthemis: "As we describe in Anthemis’ founding principles, change in the financial services industry is evolutionary, not revolutionary. This means this change will come from a wide ecosystem working in collaboration and cooperation."
• Craig Messinger, Vice Chairman, Virtu Financial: "The Duke FinTech program is focused on preparing graduate students for an exciting career in an industry that is growing, is complex in its composition, consistently innovating new products and services and serves an important part in the formation of capital and investments that impact individuals livelihood."
• Darlene Newman, Executive Director, DTCC: "Technology is moving faster than organizations can keep up, which is a trend that has no end in sight. On top of that, the next generation of talent isn’t just tech savvy, they’re tech natives."
• Rob Viglione, CEO of Horizon Labs, Inc. and Co-Founder of Horizen: "Blockchain and digital currencies are revolutionizing accepted concepts in finance, graduates of the Duke’s new FinTech master’s degree will have the skills traditional and FinTech firms are looking for in these and other sectors."
• Logan Allin, 2003 Duke Graduate and General Partner at Fin Venture Capital: "FinTech is the foundation of tech ecosystems, having talent that has the right foundation of education, experience and passion in FinTech is paramount to the future of global technology innovation."

Institute for Enterprise Engineering

The Duke FinTech Master of Engineering program is offered by Duke Engineering’s Institute for Enterprise Engineering, which provides cutting-edge education to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving industries.

Leveraging Expertise

• Computing Fundamentals
• AI and Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• FinTech, including Blockchain
• Engineering Management

The program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the intersection of finance and technology, and to drive industry change through innovation and collaboration.