Only current KU undergraduate students are eligible to apply to the Accelerated MA program. If you are not a current undergraduate student at KU, please review the admission requirements for the regular MA program.

Our Minor/Accelerated MA program is available to KU undergraduate students minoring in Economics. The ideal candidate will have a strong math foundation and have a complementary major (e.g., Engineering or similar math-intensive major).  

Accelerated undergraduate-graduate degree tracks are increasingly becoming more common. A Master’s degree in Economics provides not only professional skills but also deeper foundational knowledge. This combination attracts 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.

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 MA 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 bachelor's degree and Economics minor;
• 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 and Economics minor;
• 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 Year 4, and graduate credit courses taken in Year 5. At initial enrollment in graduate coursework, each candidate must discuss a preliminary plan of study with his or her 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.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Requirements for the Economics Minor

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Economics Minor Course Requirements
Students selecting this minor must complete courses as specified in each of the following areas:
Calculus Prerequisite. Satisfied by the following:
MATH 115	Calculus I
MATH 116	Calculus II
Principles of Microeconomics. Satisfied by:
ECON 142	Principles of Microeconomics	3
or ECON 143	Principles of Microeconomics, Honors
Principles of Macroeconomics. Satisfied by one of the following:
ECON 144	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
or ECON 145	Principles of Macroeconomics, Honors
The following courses must be completed after the student has been approved to begin coursework toward the MA and will count toward both minor and the master's degree requirements:
ECON 700	Survey of Microeconomics	3
ECON 701	Survey of Macroeconomics	3
ECON 715	Elementary Econometrics	3
One graduate elective course numbered 500 level or above. 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. 

Additional math requirements
Calculus 2 (MATH 116 or MATH 126) is needed by the end of Junior year, ECON 526 is needed in the first semester of Senior year or prior to ECON 715.

Graduate 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.

Degree 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 coursework.  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:

1. 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.
2. 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 these courses to be eligible for regular admission to the master’s degree.
3. Following completion and award of the undergraduate degree (end of second semester Year 4), 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.
4. 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.     

5. 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.

6. 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.

Visit the department's website to view sample degree plans.