MSFE Program Handbook

International Student Services (ISS) is your main resource on campus and has advisors who can assist you with visa, social and employment issues. Visit their website for more information at iss.wisc.edu or to schedule an appointment.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires you to register with UW-Madison prior to starting your program of study in the United States. By completing the Immigration Check and attending International Student Orientation (a mandatory orientation program for new students), you will fulfill this obligation. Visit https://iss.wisc.edu/orientation/#iso-steps for more information, including orientation dates and registration steps.

Graduate Admissions issues the federal I-20 form for initial F-1 Visa procurement. Initial J-1 Visa document (DS-2019) is handled by International Student Services (ISS). The Graduate Admissions office sometimes must collect financial information for the DS-2019, which is then forwarded to ISS.  After the student is enrolled, all Visa matters are handled by ISS.

Many students are admitted with a condition that they submit their final academic documents after arrival on campus. Please submit your documents to the admissions office at 232 Bascom Hall. Or departments may collect the documents and send them to the admissions office via campus mail. The admissions requirements page https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/ lists the documents required for each country.

Any student who was admitted with a TOEFL score below 92, or an IELTS score below 6.5 will be required to take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) https://esl.wisc.edu/international-students/placement/ and any required English course during their first semester.

The DMSFE serves as a resource for all students in the program and is assigned as the faculty advisor.  After the first semester of study, students may be assigned to other MSFE faculty for advising purposes. In addition to the DMSFE and program faculty, the MSFE coordinator serves as the academic advisor for MSFE students in regard to course selection, campus resources, and graduation requirements. Students may see their official advisor listed in MyUW. The official advisor is entered in the Student Information System (SIS) by the MSFE program coordinator.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Financial Economics are not allowed to accept research assistantships, teaching assistantships, project assistantships or other University appointments which grant waivers of tuition and/or academic fees. Accepting an assistantship or tuition waiver while enrolled in the program may lead to the removal of the student from the M.S. in Economics student cohort. Corporate tuition support is not included in these categories, nor is the waiver of tuition due to veteran status.

Students should always reference the program’s website, this Handbook, the Graduate School’s website (grad.wisc.edu), and the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures (https://grad.wisc.edu/academic-policies/) for answers on various program-related questions.  However, when students need further clarification on any of these policies or procedures they should contact the MSFE Program Coordinator. The MSFE Program Coordinator may play a role with issues including satisfactory academic progress, academic deadlines, graduation completion, program-related forms, advising/course holds and permissions, and course offerings.

All students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of professional behavior and ethics. Students should avoid even an appearance of improper behavior or lack of ethical standards while in Graduate School at UW-Madison, in all professional settings, and in their personal lives. Students should conduct themselves according to the standards expected of members of the profession to which the student aspires.  Concerns about infractions of Professional Conduct may be effectively handled informally between the instructor/advisor and the student. If a resolution is not achieved, a graduate program representative may be included in the discussion. Separate and apart from a violation of Professional Conduct, a student may face University disciplinary action with regard to the same action. Students are responsible for reading the information here as well as the information published on all the relevant web sites. Lack of knowledge of this information does not excuse any infraction.

1. Professional Ethics: Students shall show respect for a diversity of opinions, perspectives and cultures; accurately represent their work and acknowledge the contributions of others; participate in and commit to related opportunities; aim to gain knowledge and contribute to the knowledge base of others; understand the UW Student Code of Conduct; represent their profession and the program; and strive to incorporate and practice disciplinary ideals in their daily lives. Resumes/CVs must reflect accurate information.

2. Honesty and Integrity: Students shall demonstrate honesty and integrity as shown by their challenging of themselves in academic pursuits; honesty and ethics in research—including honesty in interpretation of data, commitment to an unbiased interpretation of academic and professional endeavors; and the need to document research activities and follow any federal or state regulations. Students shall follow-through and pull their weight in group activities and understand where collaboration among students is or is not allowed; not plagiarize others or past work (self-plagiarism), cheat, or purposefully undermine the work of others; and avoid conflicts of interest for the duration of their time in the program. As a professional, honesty and integrity also extends to personal behavior in life outside of the academic setting by realizing that students are representatives of the program, UW-Madison, and the profession as a whole.

3. Interpersonal and Workplace Relationships: Students shall interact with peers, faculty, staff and those they encounter in their professional capacity in a manner that is respectful, considerate, and professional.  This includes and is not limited to attending all scheduled meetings, honoring agreed upon work schedules, being on-time and prepared for work/meetings, contributing collaboratively to the team, keeping the lines of communication open, offering prompt response to inquiries, and employing respectful use of available equipment/technology/resources. Chronic or unexplained absences are unprofessional in the workplace and could be grounds for termination or removal of funding.  To facilitate the free and open exchange of ideas, any criticism shall be offered in a constructive manner, and the right of others to hold different opinions shall be respected.

4. Commitment to Learning: Students are expected to meet their educational responsibilities at all times.  Be actively prepared for class and be ready for questions and answers. Be on time for every class and always show courtesy during class or if you have to leave class early. If possible, students should notify the instructor at least one day in advance of a planned absence. Students who are unable to attend class are responsible for finding out what occurred that day and should not expect instructors to give them individual instruction.  Recognizing that the pursuit of knowledge is a continuous process, students shall show commitment to learning by persevering despite adversity and seeking guidance in order to adapt to change. Students shall strive for academic excellence and pursue and incorporate all critique, both positive and negative, in the acquisition of knowledge in order to understand and respect the community in which they work.

5. Professional Appearance: Students shall convey a positive, professional appearance in order to represent the program in a dignified manner. Appearance includes a person’s dress, hygiene, and appropriate etiquette/protocols for the environment (including safety protocols and protective clothing in environments that require them).

The MSFE graduate program, the Graduate School, and the Division of Student Life all uphold the UW-System policies and procedures in place for academic and non-academic misconduct.  In addition, graduate students are held to the same standards of responsible conduct of research as faculty and staff.   Furthermore, unprofessional behavior towards clients/subjects, faculty, staff, peers and public are significant issues in the evaluation and promotion of students.  In turn, we hold expectations for the highest level of academic integrity and expect professional, ethical, and respectful conduct in all interactions. Students may be disciplined or dismissed from the graduate program for misconduct or disregard for professional conduct expectations regardless of their academic standing in the program. Separate and apart from a violation of Professional Conduct, a student may face University disciplinary action with regard to the same action. Students are responsible for reading the information here as well as the information published on all the relevant web sites. Lack of knowledge of this information does not excuse any infraction.

Academic Integrity is critical in a community of scholars and is the responsibility of all members of the University community to uphold high standards of honesty, integrity, and fairness in the academic work they complete.

 Academic misconduct is an act in which a student (UWS 14.03(1)):

1. seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization or citation;
2. uses unauthorized materials or fabricated data in any academic exercise;
3. forges or falsifies academic documents or records;
4. intentionally impedes or damages the academic work of others;
5. engages in conduct aimed at making false representation of a student’s academic performance; or
6. assists other students in any of these acts.

Examples of academic misconduct include but are not limited to:

1. cutting and pasting text from the Web without quotation marks or proper citation;
2. paraphrasing from the Web without crediting the source;
3. using notes or a programmable calculator in an exam when such use is not allowed;
4. using another person’s ideas, words, or research and presenting it as one’s own by not properly crediting the originator;
5. stealing examinations or course materials;
6. changing or creating data in a lab experiment;
7. altering a transcript;
8. signing another person’s name to an attendance sheet;
9. hiding a book knowing that another student needs it to prepare for an assignment;
10. collaboration that is contrary to the stated rules of the course; or
11. tampering with a lab experiment or computer program of another student.

Additional information regarding Academic Misconduct can be found at the following URLs:

The Graduate School

Academic Policies & Procedures: Misconduct, Academic

https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/misconduct-academic/

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards

Academic Misconduct Process Information

https://conduct.students.wisc.edu/academic-misconduct/

Academic Misconduct Flowchart

https://conduct.students.wisc.edu/documents/academic-misconduct-flow-chart/

The University strives to uphold high standards of personal conduct.  Students who violate UW System Policies regarding non-academic misconduct are subject to disciplinary action as outlined in UWS Chapter 17, Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures.

The university may discipline a student when their behavior violates a policy in UWS Ch. 17, for on or off campus behavior; and/or UWS Ch 18, Conduct on University Lands.

Some examples of UWS Ch. 17 violations include, but are not limited to:

1. for conduct that endangers or threatens the health or safety of oneself or another person.
2. for sexual assault, stalking, dating/domestic violence, or sexual harassment;
3. for conduct that seriously damages or destroys university property or attempts to damage or destroy university property, or the property of a member of the university community or guest;
4. for conduct that obstructs or seriously impairs university-run or university-authorized activities, or that interferes with or impedes the ability of a member of the university community, or guest, to participate in university-run or university-authorized activities;
5. for unauthorized possession of university property or property of another member of the university community or guest;
6. for acts which violate the provisions of UWS 18, Conduct on University Lands;
7. for knowingly making a false statement to any university employee or agent on a university-related matter, or for refusing to identify oneself to such employee or agent;
8. for violating a standard of conduct, or other requirement or restriction imposed in connection with disciplinary action.
9. for the illegal use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances
10. for violating criminal law
11. for harassment as defined in State Law

Examples of non-academic misconduct on University lands under UWS Ch 18 include but are not limited to:

1. improper use of UW ID card;
2. use of alcohol on campus unless where authorized;
3. possession of a dangerous weapon;
4. assaultive behavior;
5. resisting or obstructing police officers;
6. disorderly conduct;
7. harassment via computer or other electronic means;
8. violating of policies regarding protest, rallies, demonstrations and other assemblies

Additional information regarding Non-Academic Misconduct can be found at the following URLs:

The Graduate School

Academic Policies & Procedures: Misconduct, Non-Academic

https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/misconduct-nonacademic/

Office for Student Conduct and Community Standards

Non-Academic Misconduct Information

https://conduct.students.wisc.edu/nonacademic-misconduct/

University of Wisconsin System

Chapter UWS 17: Student Non-Academic Disciplinary Procedures

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/17

Chapter UWS 18: Conduct on University Lands
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/18

Much of graduate education is carried out not in classrooms, but in laboratories and other research venues, often supported by federal or other external funding sources. Indeed, it is often difficult to distinguish between academic misconduct and cases of research misconduct. Graduate students are held to the same standards of responsible conduct of research as faculty and staff. The Graduate School is responsible for investigating allegations of research misconduct. This is often done in consultation with the Office for Student Conduct and Community Standards as well as with federal and state agencies to monitor, investigate, determine sanctions, and train about the responsible conduct of research. For more information, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Policy (up-to-date contact information found here: https://research.wisc.edu/about/leadership/).

Additional information regarding research misconduct and responsible conduct can be found at the following URLs:

The Graduate School

Academic Policies & Procedures: Responsible Conduct of Research

https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/responsible-conduct-of-research/

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education

Introduction & Guide to Resources on Research Ethics

research.wisc.edu/respolcomp/resethics/

Human Research Protection Program (*Includes links to IRBs)

research.wisc.edu/compliance-policy/human-research-protection-program/

Policies, Responsibilities, and Procedures: Reporting Misconduct
kb.wisc.edu/gsadminkb/page.php?id=34486

Policies, Responsibilities, and Procedures: Responsible Conduct of Research Resources

kb.wisc.edu/gsadminkb/search.php?cat=2907

Hostile and intimidating behavior (HIB), sometimes known by the shorthand term “bullying,” is defined in university policy as “unwelcome behavior pervasive or severe enough that a reasonable person would find it hostile and/or intimidating and that does not further the University’s academic or operational interests.”

UW-Madison has specific policies and procedures that cover HIB by faculty, academic staff and university staff. Students who feel they have been subject to HIB are encouraged to review the informal and formal options on the “Addressing HIB” tab on the Hostile and Intimidating Behavior website (hr.wisc.edu/hib/).

Examples of bias and hate include, but are not limited to:

• Microaggressions
• Slurs, degrading language, and epithets
• Graffiti, symbols, and vandalism
• Intimidation
• Assault
• Harassment

Students who experience an incident of bias or hate or are a witness to such an incident, are encouraged to file a Bias Incident Report form with the Dean of Students Office found here:  doso.students.wisc.edu/report-an-issue/bias-or-hate-reporting/. This website also describes reasons to report bias or hate, how the reporting process works, and sources of support for those who experience bias or hate.

To address other concerns that students may have regarding their experience in the program, each college or program on campus has a grievance process that students can avail themselves to. The grievance process for Master of Financial Economics can be found detailed in Guide

The MSFE faculty committee, led by the Director of the MSFE administers program regulations and imposes sanctions when appropriate.  Faculty and faculty committees determine whether the quality of a student’s work and conduct are satisfactory. Students who are falling behind academically or not meeting conduct expectations are first warned, then put on probation, and then dropped from the program if they cannot complete the requirements or remedy their conduct. Within boundaries set by the faculty, the MSFE committee is authorized to take account of individual circumstances and problems, and to grant extensions of deadlines and waivers of requirements.

Here are possible outcomes:

• Written reprimand
• Denial of specified privilege(s)
• Imposition of specific terms and conditions on continued student status
• Removal of funding
• Probation
• Restitution
• Removal of the student from the course(s) in progress
• Failure to promote
• Withdrawal of an offer of admission
• Placement on Leave of Absence for a determined amount of time
• Suspension from the program for up to one year with the stipulation that remedial activities may be prescribed as a condition of later readmission. Students who meet the readmission condition must apply for readmission and the student will be admitted only on a space available basis. See the Graduate School Academic Policies & Procedures: Readmission to Graduate School (grad.wisc.edu/documents/readmission/).
• Suspension from the program, ranging from one semester to four years
• Dismissal from the program
• Denial of a degree 

Depending on the type and nature of the misconduct, the Division of Student Life may also have grounds to do one or more of the following:

• Reprimand
• Probation
• Suspension
• Expulsion
• Restitution
• A zero or failing grade on an assignment on an assignment/exam
• A lower grade or failure in the course
• Removal from course
• Enrollment restrictions in a course/program
• Conditions/terms of continuing as a student

MSFE students are among an elite group with easy access to both the Economics Career Development Office and the Career Management Center at the Wisconsin School of Business providing exceptional career exploration, placement and professional development services. The Wisconsin School of Business has a proven record of placing students in leading financial services and consulting firms across the globe. Classes are more analytical and quantitative than traditional MS programs in either Economics or Finance making graduates prepared for roles at investment and commercial banks, asset management companies and consulting.  

In addition to opportunities at the program level, the Graduate School Office of Professional Development provides direct programming in the areas of career development and skill building, and also serves as a clearing house for professional development resources across campus.  The best way to stay informed is to watch for the weekly newsletter from OPD, GradConnections Weekly, and to visit the webpage https://grad.wisc.edu/uw-events/ for an up-to-date list of events.  For example, typical topics covered throughout the year are:

• Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
• Planning for academic success
• Dissertation writing support
• Communication skills
• Grant writing
• Teaching
• Mentoring
• Research ethics
• Community engagement
• Entrepreneurship
• Career exploration: academic, non-profit, industry, government, etc.
• Job search support
• Pursuing postdoctoral training