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.
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 BA;
- on-track to complete all undergraduate degree requirements by the second semester of Senior year (Year 4);
- Major and cumulative GPA of at least 3.25; and
- has submitted an online application for the Accelerated MA program in the second semester of Junior year (Year 3)
After review of the application for admission, the Economics Department will notify the student on their eligibility to begin coursework 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 coursework taken in Year 4; and
- grades of B or above in all graduate-level coursework taken in Year 4.
This accelerated program uses a carefully planned combination of prerequisite coursework, 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 coursework, each candidate must discuss a preliminary plan of study with their graduate advisor. This plan may be revised over time. The student must be approved to begin coursework 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 BA/MA combination or a BS/MA combination.
BA Degree Option
First- and Second-Year Preparation for the BA Degree
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. Students should also have completed at least 1 course in the calculus sequence (MATH 115 or MATH 125) by the end of the sophomore year.
Additional math requirements
Calculus 2 (MATH 116 or MATH 126) is needed by the end of Junior year.
BA Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors pursuing the Accelerated MA 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 | |
| Microeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 700 | Survey of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Macroeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 701 | Survey of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Introduction to Economics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 715 | Elementary Econometrics | 3 |
| Economics Required Electives | ||
| Majors must complete 5 courses (15 hours) in economics at the 500-level or above. | 15 | |
Of the requirements listed above, ECON 700, ECON 701, ECON 715 and and one elective course at the 500-level or above must be completed after the student has been approved to begin coursework toward the MA. ECON 700 is typically offered in the fall. ECON 701 and ECON 715 are typically offered in the spring. These courses will count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The elective course may be in Economics or a related area (e.g., Business, Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, or Mathematics). 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.
BS Degree Option
Economics Prerequisite or Co-Requisite Knowledge
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 |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ | 3 |
| or MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| MATH 125 | Calculus I (Students may complete MATH 115 and MATH 116 prior to completing MATH 126.) | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II (Open for only 2 hours credit to students with credit in MATH 116.) | 4 |
| MATH 127 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 290 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 2 |
| or MATH 291 | Elementary Linear Algebra, Honors | |
| MATH 526 | Applied Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
BS Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors pursuing the Accelerated MA 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 | |
| Microeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 700 | Survey of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Macroeconomics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 701 | Survey of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Introduction to Economics. Satisfied by: | ||
| ECON 715 | Elementary Econometrics | 3 |
| Economics Required Electives | ||
| Majors must complete 5 courses (15 hours) in economics at the 500-level or above. | 15 | |
| Economics Required Capstone Elective Courses | ||
| Majors must complete 2 courses (6 hours) at the 600-level or above. | 6 | |
Of the requirements listed above, ECON 700, ECON 701, ECON 715 and one elective course at the 500-level or above must be completed after the student has been approved to begin coursework toward the MA. ECON 700 is typically offered in the fall. ECON 701 and ECON 715 are typically offered in the spring. These courses will count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The elective course may be in Economics or a related area (e.g., Business, Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, or Mathematics). 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.
MA Degree Requirements
Coursework
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. advisor. In total, 18 hours of coursework (out of 30 hours) must be 700 level or higher.
Thesis and Coursework-Only Options
Candidates may pursue either a thesis or a coursework-only track.
Students electing the thesis track must complete 24 hours of formal coursework 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 electing the thesis option may take longer than 5 years to complete the full program.
Students electing the coursework-only track must complete 30 hours of formal course work. For students interested in pursuing a doctoral program, the thesis option 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 coursework in the Accelerated Master's, the student must meet with the DGS to plan the final year of undergraduate study.
- In the final semester of undergraduate study (Year 4), the student must meet with the DGS 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 again meet with the DGS to review the course plan for the fifth 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 track, 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 Masters & Co-Enrollment
Students, with the explicit approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Masters’ Advisor 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 one elective course at the 500-level or above). It would, though, enable a student to take additional graduate credit hours in the second semester of Academic Year 4, enabling the student to potentially finish the M.A. degree with only one 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), BA Quantitative Reasoning (QR))2 | 3 |
| 1st Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 | ECON 142 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE), Major Requirement)050 | 3 |
| Frist Year Seminar | 3 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| 3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3-5 | 4th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (BA Second Language)3 | 3-5 |
| ECON 426 | 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 | BA 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 the thesis track must complete 24 hours of formal coursework 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 electing the thesis option may take longer than 5 years to complete the full program.
- 2
Visit this page for a list of courses that fulfill the BA Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
- 3
For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many first semester languages are 5 credit hours.
- 4
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS 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. advisor. In total, 18 hours of coursework (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 (BA Quantitative Reasoning (QR)) | 4 |
| Frist 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 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS 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 MA 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. advisor. In total, 18 hours of coursework (out of 30 hours) must be 700 level or higher.
- 5
Students electing the thesis track must complete 24 hours of formal coursework 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 electing the thesis option may take longer than 5 years to complete the full program.