Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for graduate study in Economics:

1. Undergraduate coursework that includes: Calculus, Econometrics (or equivalent), Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory, Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, and Mathematical Economics. (Students missing some of these courses can be admitted conditionally.)
2. A satisfactory score on the aptitude portions of the Graduate Record Examination. The Graduate Management Aptitude Test may be substituted for the GRE with the permission of the Program Director.

Degree Requirements

The program leading to the Master of Science degree in Economics requires at least 30 hours of graduate credit, with a maximum of six hours of transfer credit accepted from an accredited institution. (Credit applied toward an awarded graduate degree will not be accepted as transfer credit.) Courses taken at other accredited institutions after enrollment may receive residence credit if approved by the department and the Dean of the Graduate School. All credit hours applied toward the degree must be in courses open only to graduate students. No more than two C’s are permitted in the program and at least 18 credit hours must be completed before admission to candidacy. A GPA of at least 3.0 is required to graduate. The program is organized into three curriculum components:

1. a core curriculum in economic theory and quantitative methods
2. a concentration to be selected from one of the four described below
3. a research project or thesis

Admission to Candidacy Requirements

An Admission to Candidacy form listing graduate-level courses that apply to the degree must be submitted to the Graduate Program Director one month prior to the semester in which the student plans to complete the coursework for the degree.

Assistantships

A number of graduate assistantships are available each year. To be fully competitive, applications must be submitted by March 15. Contact the coordinator for further information.

Core Courses

• ECON 6201 - Advanced Macroeconomic Theory (3)
• ECON 6202 - Advanced Microeconomic Theory (3)
• ECON 6112 - Graduate Econometrics (3)
• ECON 6218 - Advanced Business and Economic Forecasting (3)

Concentrations

Minors

The Department of Economics participates in the program leading to an interdisciplinary Graduate Minor in Operations Research . See the this section for complete information and program requirements.

Advising

Prior to, or concurrent with, the first semester of study, each student will be expected to complete a program of study listing each class the student expects to take as a part of the program. The program of study requires the approval of the coordinator.

Thesis

Students who choose the thesis track must successfully complete six hours of ECON 6999  (Master’s Thesis). The thesis must be written and defended within six calendar years after admission into the M.S. in Economics program. The Thesis Committee, which must be approved by the Graduate Program Director, will consist of a Chair and at least two other faculty members. ECON 6999  is graded on an A, B, C, or U basis.

Application for Degree

Each student should make application for his/her degree by completing the online Application for Degree through Banner Self Service no later than the filing date specified in the University Academic Calendar .

Program Certifications/Accreditations

The College of Business  is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).