The Department of Economics offers graduate programs of study designed to prepare students for careers in education and for careers in administrative and research positions in government, industry and labor. The programs are built upon a solid core of training in economic theory and in quantitative analysis, with area concentrations in econometrics, economic growth and development, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics and human resources, mathematical economics, monetary theory and policy, and urban and regional economics.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- An undergraduate major in economics and one semester of calculus. Alternatively, adequate preparation at the undergraduate level equivalent to two semesters of coursework in intermediate economic theory, one semester of statistics, and one semester of calculus.
- Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test or equivalent quantitative courses is recommended. Test of English as a Foreign Language exam is required for applicants whose native language is not English.
- Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with applicant’s scholastic achievement and potential.
Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses.
The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. Deficiencies are to be made up through the following:
- in economic theory through ECON 301 and ECON 302;
- in statistics through ECON 210; and
- in calculus through MATH 211.
Credits and Courses
Option A: Thesis Option
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | ||
| Select 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Graduate Thesis | ||
| Required | ||
| ECON 701 | Economic Theory: Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 702 | Economic Theory: Macroeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 703 | Econometrics | 4 |
| Additional Requirements 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
One area of concentration | ||
| Mathematical Economics I and Mathematical Economics II | ||
| Select 6 additional credits of graduate work | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
The student must select one area of concentration offered by the Department and must take at least two semesters in this concentration in courses numbered 700 or above (except ECON 990, ECON 991 and ECON 999).
Latin American Concentration
A concentration on Latin America is available. A student with previous interest and commitment in Latin American studies, who is able to demonstrate—through examination—good reading ability and fair conversational ability in Spanish or Portuguese, is permitted to select this concentration under Option A. Requirements for this concentration are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | ||
| Select 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Graduate Thesis | ||
| Required | ||
| ECON 774 | Economic Development - Theory | 3 |
| ECON 775 | Economic Growth | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credits in Interdisciplinary Seminar on Latin America | 3 | |
| Select a graduate course in Latin America in some field other than economics | 3 | |
| Select 9 additional credits of graduate work | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Option B: Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ECON 701 | Economic Theory: Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 702 | Economic Theory: Macroeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 703 | Econometrics | 4 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
One area of concentration 1 | ||
| Mathematical Economics I and Mathematical Economics II | ||
| Select 6 additional credits of graduate work | 6 | |
| 700- Level and Above | ||
| Select any two courses numbered 700 or above in other areas of economics 2 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
The student must take at least two courses in this concentration in courses numbered 700 or above.
- 2
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. In Economics the newly admitted master’s student is advised by the Graduate Study advisor.
Option A: Thesis Option
Thesis
An acceptable thesis must be written on the student’s area of concentration.
Comprehensive Examination
The student must pass a final oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Option B: Non-Thesis Option
Thesis
No formal thesis is required. The student must submit a master’s paper instead of a thesis.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Economics MA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Economics, MA Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of core economic theories and applications in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.
- Apply quantitative and analytical techniques to effectively analyze economic issues and data.
- Formulate research topics and conduct independent investigations integrating economic knowledge.
- Effectively communicate key economic theories and applications in written form.
Accelerated Program Option
This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. For more information, see Accelerated Graduate Degrees.