Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Economics is a 30-credit-hour program. Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.   Prerequisites for the MAEcon include:  Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear Algebra, and Statistics.

Students will complete Mathematics for Economic Analysis (ECON 5233) prior to beginning the program in August.

Fall Semester

• Fall Seminar (ECON 643)
• Microeconomic Theory I (ECON 5533)
• Macroeconomic Theory I (ECON 5433)
• Econometrics (ECON 5613)
• Elective-applied field

Spring Semester

• Spring Seminar (ECON 644)
• Microeconomic Theory II (ECON 6233)
• Macroeconomic Theory II (ECON 6243)
• Econometrics II (ECON 6623)
• Elective-applied field

Applied Field

If your career goal is in either business or government, you will choose six hours of electives from one of the following fields:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Quantitative Methods
• Transportation

If you plan to continue in a doctoral program, you will choose either mathematics or statistics as your applied field. Other concentrations are possible with the approval of the Program Coordinator.

Non-thesis option

Students who select the non-thesis option will take a final comprehensive exam in addition to the 30 hours of required coursework. A master’s paper will typically be integrated with Econometrics II and the Spring Seminar class. Presentation of the master’s paper to faculty and students will constitute the final comprehensive exam.

Thesis option

In addition to the required 30 hours, students who select the thesis option must take an additional 12 hours of coursework (six hours approved by the Program Coordinator and six hours of thesis credit) and a comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam will take the form of a formal thesis defense. This option is for those students seeking the acquisition of advanced analytical and research skills.