As Cal State Fullerton launches its M.S. in Finance, Professor Yingdi Wang is helping shape a program that bridges advanced financial theories and the decisions professionals make across industries.
Wang, a professor of finance and director of the M.S. in Finance, draws on research in leveraged buyouts, private equity funds and institutional investors’ portfolios. She earned her Ph.D. in finance from The Ohio State University, where she developed her interest in private equity after studying finance and economics throughout her undergraduate and graduate education.
“Private equity sits at the intersection of corporate finance and investments,” Wang says. “This overlap gives me a broad perspective helpful in developing the M.S. in Finance program with a wide-ranging curriculum. It helps me better understand which courses complement one another and further strengthen the skills students need for their future careers in finance.”
That perspective informs the 10-course M.S. in Finance, designed to build a broad foundation while letting students choose electives aligned with career goals. Wang’s research examines how capital market conditions, structural constraints and investment selection shape outcomes – insights that connect firms’ financing decisions and investors’ strategies.
Her studies also explore how leveraged buyouts create value, how general partners manage private equity funds, and how institutional investors select among them, linking firm performance to broader investment decisions that shape financial markets.
A Curriculum That Connects Finance Disciplines
The M.S. in Finance brings together corporate finance, investments, data analytics and risk management coursework. Electives allow students to explore statistical analysis, real estate, financial planning, insurance and other fields. Together, the courses demonstrate how companies create value and manage uncertainty and how investments are evaluated.
Learning Through Real Financial Challenges
Experiential learning is another priority. In the capstone course, students analyze real data and present recommendations.
Wang also anticipates opportunities for students to attend conferences and workshops, visit firms and engage with professionals.
“We want graduates to leave the program with advanced knowledge in finance, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively,” Wang says.
Students will practice building financial models, estimating risk and performance, preparing reports and delivering presentations. For Wang, those capabilities are most valuable when students can apply them beyond the classroom.
“Overall, the curriculum combines advanced knowledge, analytical tools, and practical experience so that our graduates will be ready for a range of finance careers,” Wang says.
