G-ECON-AM - Economics - Master's

The MA program requires a minimum of 30 graded course credits in economics and related fields. Students’ course selections are based on their specific interests and on recommendations made by their academic advisors in order to meet their longer-run goals. Courses offered through The Graduate School, listed as “GS” courses, do not count toward the 30-course credit requirement.

All MA students must complete a minimum of three courses (9 course credits) in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Any combination of three courses in micro and/or macro at the 600 level or higher offered by the Economics Department satisfies this requirement. Students must complete 3 courses in micro and/or macro from the following list courses: 601, 602, 605, 606, 613 (can also count as econometrics, but cannot count as both a micro and an econometrics course), 620, 621, 624, 652, 656, 664, 690 General Equilibrium Theory and Financial Markets, 690 Continuous Time Methods (can also count as econometrics, but cannot count as both a micro and an econometrics course), 701, 702, 705, and 706. In addition, 881, 882, and 885 courses may also count toward this requirement, pending approval. They also are required to complete a minimum of three courses (9 course credits) in econometrics, computational methods, computer science, mathematics, and/or statistics with at least one course in econometrics. The one required econometrics course can be Econ 608, 612, 613 (which can also count as a micro course, but cannot count as both a micro and an econometrics), 623, 672, 690 Microeconometrics Tools, 690 Continuous Time Methods (can also count as micro, but cannot count as both a micro and an econometrics course), 703, 707, or 883 Special Topics in Econometrics (with approval). Any computational methods or cross-listed math courses at the 600 level or higher offered by the Economics Department count toward the computational, computer science, math, and statistics part of the requirement. Courses in computer science, mathematics, and statistics at the 500 level or higher also satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate courses (499 or lower) do not count toward the MA degree or a student’s GPA. A graduate-level course paired with an undergraduate-level course may count toward the MA degree and a student’s GPA only if the graduate-level version has a separate, more rigorous syllabus for graduate students. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that this is the case before enrolling in any paired courses. At least five courses (15.0 course credits) must be in economics. This includes the courses mentioned above. At least one course (3.0 course credits) must be an approved capstone, and students are required to receive a B grade or better in this course. Any course substitutions must be approved by the director of MA studies.

MA students must pass a final exam administered by their committee covering a portfolio of learning and research activities carried out during their master’s studies. The portfolio must include the following items: all student (final) papers and slides from oral or written presentations as applicable; when applicable, the research output from those courses; a capstone course paper in economics, describing a mature project with research content; and an updated résumé/CV.