Accelerated Masters of Arts in Economics (BA or BS/MA)
Accelerated undergraduate-graduate degree tracks are increasingly becoming more common. A master’s in economics provides not only professional skills but also deeper foundational knowledge. This combination attract employers and strengthens the profiles of students preparing for further study in doctoral programs. As a result, many students see a master’s degree as essential to their future success.
KU’s Accelerated MA program is available to KU undergraduates only. Please see Admissions to learn more.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Careful course selection and steady progression through the undergraduate career is necessary to ensure all requirements for both degrees may be completed within the 5-year time frame. All prospective students should discuss their interest in admission to the accelerated master's program with their undergraduate advisor and the department’s graduate advisor no later than the student’s junior year, the first semester of year 3.
Admission’s checklist
- KU student earning Economics B.A.;
- on-track to complete all undergraduate degree requirements by the 2nd semester of senior year (year 4);
- major and cumulative GPA of at least 3.25; and
- has submitted an online application for the accelerated M.A. program in the 2nd semester of junior year (year 3)
After review of the application for admission, the Department of Economics will notify the student on their eligibility to begin course work in the program.
Final acceptance to the graduate program will occur following the completion of year 4 and be contingent upon the following:
- Successful completion of all requirements for the bachelor’s degree;
- an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.25;
- a GPA of at least 3.25 in graduate-level course work taken in year 4; and
- grades of B or above in all graduate-level course work taken in year 4.
The Accelerated Master of Arts in Economics B.A./M.A. & B.S./M.A. requires 30 hours and allows for the following degree completion options:
- Course Work-Only
- Master's Thesis Final Defense
This accelerated program uses a carefully planned combination of prerequisite course work, graduate-level courses taken for both undergraduate and graduate credit in academic year 4 (defined as when a student has completed 90 credit hours and therefore has senior standing), and graduate credit courses taken in academic year 5 (defined as after a student has been awarded an undergraduate degree). At initial enrollment in graduate course work, each candidate must discuss a preliminary plan of study with the M.A. program director. This plan may be revised over time. The student must be approved to begin course work toward the master’s prior to enrolling in any classes that are to count for both undergraduate and graduate credit.
Students may choose between a B.A./M.A. combination or a B.S./M.A. combination.
B.A./M.A. Degree Option
Majors must complete courses as specified in each of the following areas. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite knowledge | ||
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ | 3 |
| or MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| Needed by the end of freshman year. | ||
| MATH 115 | Calculus I | 3 |
| or MATH 125 | Calculus I | |
| Needed by the end of sophomore year. | ||
| MATH 116 | Calculus II | 3 |
| or MATH 126 | Calculus II | |
| Needed by the end of sophomore year. | ||
| MATH 526 | Applied Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| or ECON 226 | Statistics and Data Analysis for Economics | |
B.A. Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors pursuing the accelerated M.A. program must complete the following courses in each of the following areas: | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 142 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 143 | Principles of Microeconomics, Honors | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 144 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 145 | Principles of Macroeconomics, Honors | |
| Note: Students considering an economics major should enroll in ECON 142 (or ECON 143) Principles of Microeconomics or ECON 144 (or ECON 145) Principles of Macroeconomics no later than the end of the sophomore year. | ||
| Microeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 700 | Survey of Microeconomics 1 | 3 |
| Macroeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 701 | Survey of Macroeconomics 1 | 3 |
| Introduction to Economics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 715 | Elementary Econometrics | 3 |
| Economics Required Electives | ||
| Majors must complete 2 courses (6 hours) in economics outside of the knowledge and skills area at the 300-level or above. | 6 | |
| Majors must complete 3 courses (9 hours) in economics at the 600-level or above | 9 | |
| Note: A maximum of 3 credits total from ECON 497 and ECON 697 may count as electives for the major. | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
1 ECON 520 and ECON 522, which are listed as prerequisites for ECON 700 and ECON 701, are not required for those in the accelerated master's program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone Requirement | ||
| In addition to major requirements, students must complete one of the following capstone courses: | ||
| ECON 497 | Research in Economics | 1-3 |
| ECON 641 | Labor Economics - Capstone | 3 |
| ECON 696 | Research Methods in Economics | 3 |
| ECON 697 | Senior Research Honors | 1-3 |
B.S./M.A. Degree Option
Majors must complete courses as specified in each of the following areas. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite knowledge | ||
| College Algebra or Pre-Calculus (3) | ||
| Satisfied by: | ||
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ | 3 |
| or MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| Calculus I (4) | ||
| Satisfied by: | ||
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Students may complete MATH 115 and MATH 116 prior to completing MATH 126. | ||
| Calculus II (4) | ||
| Satisfied by: | ||
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Open for only 2 hours credit to students with credit in MATH 116. | ||
| Calculus III (4) | ||
| Satisfied by: | ||
| MATH 127 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Elementary Linear Algebra | ||
| MATH 290 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 2 |
| or MATH 291 | Elementary Linear Algebra, Honors | |
| Statistics | ||
| MATH 526 | Applied Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| or ECON 226 | Statistics and Data Analysis for Economics | |
B.S. Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors pursuing the accelerated M.A. program must complete the following courses in each of the following areas: | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 142 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 143 | Principles of Microeconomics, Honors | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 144 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 145 | Principles of Macroeconomics, Honors | |
| Note: Students considering an economics major should enroll in ECON 142 (or ECON 143) Principles of Microeconomics or ECON 144 (or ECON 145) Principles of Macroeconomics no later than the end of the sophomore year. | ||
| Microeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 700 | Survey of Microeconomics 1 | 3 |
| Macroeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 701 | Survey of Macroeconomics 1 | 3 |
| Introduction to Economics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 715 | Elementary Econometrics | 3 |
| Economics Required Electives | ||
| Majors must complete 2 courses (6 hours) in economics outside knowledge and skills area at the 300-level or above. | 6 | |
| Economics Required Elective Courses | ||
| Majors must complete 3 courses (9 hours) at the 600-level or above. | 9 | |
| Economics Required Masters-Level Elective Courses | ||
| Majors must complete 2 courses (6 hours) in economics at the 700-level or above. | 6 | |
| Note: A maximum of 3 credits total from ECON 497 and ECON 697 may count as electives for the major. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
1 ECON 520 and ECON 522, which are listed as prerequisites for ECON 700 and ECON 701, are not required for those in the accelerated master's program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone Requirement | ||
| In addition to major requirements, students must complete one of the following capstone courses: | ||
| ECON 497 | Research in Economics | 1-3 |
| ECON 641 | Labor Economics - Capstone | 3 |
| ECON 696 | Research Methods in Economics | 3 |
| ECON 697 | Senior Research Honors | 1-3 |
M.A. Degree Requirements
Course Work
Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students must complete an additional 18 credit hours of graduate electives for a total of 30 graduate credit hours as indicated below. In total, 18 hours of course work (out of 30 hours) must be 700 level or higher.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Course Work Counting Towards M.A. (Year 4) | ||
| ECON 700 | Survey of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 701 | Survey of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 715 | Elementary Econometrics | 3 |
| 500+ level ECON elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Course Work (Year 5) | 18 | |
Electives or Thesis Hours | ||
Students choosing the thesis option should enroll in 6 hours of ECON 899 and an additional 12 hours of ECON electives at the 500+ level | ||
Students choosing the course work only option should enroll in 18 hours of ECON electives at 500+ level | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Up to nine hours of elective courses may be in a related field outside of economics (e.g., business, computer science, political science, psychology, public policy, or mathematics) chosen in consultation with the graduate program coordinator and approved by the M.A. program director.
Electives
Below is a list of available electives. Courses listed below that were taken prior to official admission to the graduate program (year 5) cannot be retaken for credit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 305 | History of Economic Analysis | 3 |
| ECON 350 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ECON 351 | Philosophy of Economics | 3 |
| ECON 360 | Economic Systems | 3 |
| ECON 363 | Current Economic Issues of East Europe | 3 |
| ECON 382 | Economic Development | 3 |
| ECON 384 | Economic Development of Latin America | 3 |
| ECON 386 | Economic Issues in China | 3 |
| ECON 409 | Sports Economics | 3 |
| ECON 410 | Energy Economics | 3 |
| ECON 413 | Behavioral Economics | 3 |
| ECON 464 | Topics in Applied Economics: _____ | 3 |
| ECON 490 | Game Theory | 3 |
| ECON 497 | Research in Economics | 1-3 |
| ECON 600 | Money and Banking | 3 |
| ECON 604 | International Trade | 3 |
| ECON 605 | International Finance | 3 |
| ECON 620 | Elements of Mathematical Economics | 3 |
| ECON 622 | Public Finance | 3 |
| ECON 630 | Industrial Organization and Antitrust Policy | 3 |
| ECON 640 | Labor Economics | 3 |
| ECON 664 | Topics in Economics: _____ | 3 |
| ECON 669 | The Economics of Financial Markets | 3 |
| ECON 680 | Economic Growth | 3 |
| ECON 696 | Research Methods in Economics | 3 |
| ECON 705 | Development of Economic Thought | 3 |
| ECON 716 | Econometric Forecasting | 3 |
| ECON 718 | Elementary Financial Econometrics | 3 |
| ECON 719 | Digital Economics | 3 |
| ECON 730 | Topics in Industrial Organization | 3 |
| ECON 740 | Theory of Economic Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECON 769 | Financial Economics | 3 |
| ECON 770 | Economics of the Labor Market | 3 |
| ECON 780 | Topics in Economics: _____ | 1-3 |
| ECON 790 | Game Theory and Applications | 3 |
| ECON 791 | Game Theory and Applications II | 3 |
| ECON 800 | Optimization Techniques I | 3 |
| ECON 801 | Microeconomics I | 3 |
| ECON 802 | Microeconomics II | 3 |
| ECON 809 | Optimization Techniques II | 3 |
| ECON 810 | Macroeconomics I | 3 |
| ECON 811 | Macroeconomics II | 3 |
| ECON 816 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| ECON 817 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| ECON 818 | Econometrics II | 3 |
| ECON 830 | Game Theory and Industrial Organization | 3 |
| ECON 854 | Advanced Environmental Economic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 869 | Advanced Financial Economics | 3 |
| ECON 870 | Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 880 | Advanced Topics in Economic Theory: _____ | 1-3 |
| ECON 901 | Advanced Economic Theory I | 3 |
| ECON 911 | Applied Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 912 | Advanced Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 913 | Monetary Economics | 3 |
| ECON 914 | Computational Methods for Economics | 3 |
| ECON 915 | Advanced Econometrics I | 3 |
| ECON 916 | Advanced Econometrics II | 3 |
| ECON 917 | Advanced Econometrics III | 3 |
| ECON 918 | Financial Econometrics | 3 |
| ECON 919 | Advanced Health Economics | 3 |
| ECON 950 | Special Problems in Economics | 1-3 |
Master's Thesis & Final Defense
Those choosing to complete the M.A. degree with a written thesis must do an oral presentation and defense of the thesis to a faculty committee in accordance with the Graduate Studies Policy on Master's Final Exams. In the thesis, the student should share the results of the economic research they have undertaken and, most importantly, the contribution the thesis makes to the extant literature on the subject. The oral presentation and defense will not be scheduled until the thesis is complete. The student must submit the thesis to the supervisor and the faculty committee at least two weeks before the final defense. For students interested in pursuing a doctoral program, the thesis degree is recommended.
Progression Requirements
Given the accelerated nature of this program, each student’s progress will be closely monitored at various points during the program:
- Once authorized to begin course work in the accelerated master's, the student must meet with the graduate program coordinator to plan the final year of undergraduate study.
- In the final semester of undergraduate study (year 4), the student must meet with the graduate program coordinator to review the student’s performance in ECON courses. The student must earn a grade of “B” or better in each of these courses to be eligible for regular admission to the master’s degree.
- Following completion and award of the undergraduate degree (end of final semester of undergraduate study), the admitted student will meet with the M.A. program director to review the course plan for the 5th year of study and update as needed. The student’s performance in the graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate will be evaluated. To continue in the program, students must earn a combined minimum GPA of 3.25 for these courses, as well as a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25.
- For those students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.25, an alternative plan of study to address the student’s deficiencies may be developed, at the department’s sole discretion.
- If the baccalaureate degree is not completed at the end of year 4, the student will not be permitted to enroll in additional courses for graduate credit toward the master’s degree until the baccalaureate degree has been conferred.
Students should complete all requirements for the accelerated master's within one year of receiving the bachelor’s degree. If unforeseen circumstances prevent the timely completion of the master’s degree, the student must consult with their graduate advisor to develop an alternative plan for completion.
Accelerated Master's and Co-enrollment
Students, with the explicit approval of the director of undergraduate studies and the master's program director in the Department of Economics, may combine this program with the existing program on co-enrollment, which permits undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses toward a future graduate degree while simultaneously enrolling in undergraduate courses toward an undergraduate degree.
This would not increase the number of undergraduate credit hours taken in academic year 4 that count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees (i.e., 12 credit hours: ECON 700, ECON 701, ECON 715, and 1 elective course at the 500-level or above). It would, though, enable a student to take additional graduate credit hours in the 2nd semester of academic year 4, enabling the student to potentially finish the M.A. degree with only 1 additional semester of graduate enrollment.
Beyond the co-enrolled semester the student will not be permitted to enroll in additional courses in a subsequent semester for graduate credit toward the Master’s degree until the baccalaureate degree has been conferred. Any graduate credits successfully completed during co-enrollment would remain on the student’s record and could be potentially applied toward a future graduate degree after the student has completed a baccalaureate degree.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 | ENGL 102 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 |
| MATH 101 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 | MATH 115 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE), B.A. Quantitative Reasoning (QR))2 | 3 |
| 1st Semester Language (B.A. Second Language) | 5 | ECON 142 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE), Major Requirement)050 | 3 |
| Frist Year Seminar | 3 | 2nd Semester Language (B.A. Second Language) | 5 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| 3rd Semester Language (B.A. Second Language) | 3-5 | 4th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (B.A. Second Language)3 | 3-5 |
| ECON 226 | 3 | Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| MATH 103 (Prereq or Coreq for MATH 116) | 2 | MATH 116 (Prereq for ECON 700 and ECON 715) | 3 |
| ECON 144 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE), Major Requirement)050 | 3 | ECON 526 (Prereq for ECON 715, Major Requirement) | 3 |
| Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 |
| 14-16 | 15-17 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| ECON Elective 500+ (Major Requirement) | 3 | Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4-5 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 | B.A. Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE) | 1-2 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 |
| ECON Elective 500+ (Major Requirement) | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17-19 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ECON 700 (Major Requirement) | 3 | ECON 701 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| ECON Elective 500+ (Major Requirement) | 3 | ECON 715 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| ECON Elective 500+ (Major Requirement) | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours4 | 3 | Capstone Requirement | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 5 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ECON Graduate Elective5 | 3 | ECON Graduate Elective5 | 3 |
| ECON Graduate Elective5 | 3 | ECON Graduate Elective5 | 3 |
| ECON Graduate Elective5 | 3 | ECON Graduate Elective1, 5 | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Total Hours 140-146 | |||
- 1
Students electing to pursue a thesis must complete 24 hours of formal course work and 6 hours of thesis under the direction of a thesis supervisor. This work is to be devoted to the completion of a satisfactory thesis. An oral examination is held on completion of the thesis. Accelerated master's students pursuing the thesis may take longer than 5 years to complete the full program.
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Visit this page for a list of courses that fulfill the B.A. Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
- 3
For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many 1st semester languages are 5 credit hours.
- 4
Hour requirements (incl. 45 junior/senior hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the B.G.S. with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 5
Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students must complete an additional 18 credit hours (6 courses) of graduate electives for a total of 30 graduate credit hours. At least 21 of the 30 hours must be in economics; but students may take up to 9 hours in related areas, such as business administration, computer science, political science, or mathematics, subject to the approval of the M.A. program director. In total, 18 hours of course work (out of 30 hours) must be 700 level or higher.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 | ENGL 102 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 |
| MATH 104 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 5 | MATH 125 (B.A. Quantitative Reasoning (QR)) | 4 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4-5 | ECON 142 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE), Major Requirement)050 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | ||
| 15-16 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| MATH 126 (Major pre-req) | 4 | ECON 520 (or Elective) | 3 |
| ECON 144 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE), Major Requirement)050 | 3 | MATH 127 (Major pre-req) | 4 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | MATH 290 (Major pre-req) | 2 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 526 (Major pre-req) | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| ECON 522 (or Elective) | 3 | ECON 526 (Pre-req for ECON 715, Major Requirement) | 3 |
| ECON Elective 500+ (Major Requirement)2 | 3 | ECON 500+ Elective (Major Requirement)2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | ECON 500+ Elective (Major Requirement)2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ECON 700 (Major Requirement) | 3 | ECON 715 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| ECON Elective 600+ (Major Requirement)2 | 3 | ECON 701 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| ECON Elective 600+ (Major Requirement)2 | 3 | Capstone Requirement | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 5 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ECON Graduate Elective4 | 3 | ECON Graduate Elective4 | 3 |
| ECON Graduate Elective4 | 3 | ECON Graduate Elective4 | 3 |
| ECON Graduate Elective4,5 | 3 | ECON Graduate Elective4,5 | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Total Hours 140-141 | |||
- 1
Hour requirements (incl. 45 junior/senior hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the B.G.S. with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 2
B.S. Majors must complete 6 courses or 18 hours of ECON electives at the 500-level or above.
- 3
ECON 520 and ECON 522 are not required for the accelerated M.A. program.
- 4
Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students must complete an additional 18 credit hours (6 courses) of graduate electives for a total of 30 graduate credit hours. At least 21 of the 30 hours must be in economics; but students may take up to 9 hours in related areas, such as business administration, computer science, political science, or mathematics, subject to the approval of the M.A. program director. In total, 18 hours of course work (out of 30 hours) must be 700 level or higher.
- 5
Students electing to pursue a thesis must complete 24 hours of formal course work and 6 hours of thesis under the direction of a thesis supervisor. This work is to be devoted to the completion of a satisfactory thesis. An oral examination is held on completion of the thesis. Accelerated master's students pursuing the thesis may take longer than 5 years to complete the full program.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of microeconomic theories, including consumer behavior, the theory of the firm, market theory, and equilibrium theory to explore real-world phenomena.
- Apply knowledge of macroeconomic theories, including aggregation theory, business cycle theory, and economic growth theory to explore real-world phenomena.
- Apply econometric theories and empirical skills to analyze economic problems and possible solutions.
- Apply broad economic insight to critically explore and understand real-world problems and policy solutions.
- Apply tools of economic analysis to critique original research in their specific field or subfield.
- Apply broad knowledge of theory and research methods to questions and current problems in the field of economics.
- Communicate effectively to professional audiences and the public through technical reports and presentations.