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Graduate Program: Applied Economics

Curriculum

An undergraduate training, in a variety of fields, which provides an adequate background for advanced study in economics, is needed to perform well in the program. Certain undergraduate courses in economics, calculus, and statistics are deemed prerequisites. Students may be permitted to make up deficiencies while pursuing the M.A. program.

The prerequisites are considered satisfactory if the student has completed undergraduate courses with a "C" grade or better in microeconomics and macroeconomics. These prerequisites will be waived if the student passes a proficiency test, upon arrival, in the applicable subject or if the student successfully completes the equivalent graduate course(s) as follows:
  • Econ 503 Microeconomics
  • Econ 504 Macroeconomics

Students must complete these courses with a grade of "C" or better before they will be permitted to enter Econ 603A and Econ 604A. The graduate credits earned in any of these courses will not count toward the 60 graduate credit hours required for the degree, though they affect your overall GPA. Students who do not have these prerequisites are encouraged to join the program in the first Summer Session.

For students who have all the prerequisites for the program, completion of a total of 60 graduate credit hours is required.

There are four components of the program:
  1. Core requirements
  2. One field of concentration (Two courses in the same field)
  3. Two electives in economics
  4. Research paper in a topic within the student’s are of concentration (5 credit hours)

(a) Core Requirements (35 credit hours)
  1. Mathematical Economics (Econ 500)
  2. Statistical Foundations (Econ 501)
  3. Advanced Microeconomic Theory (Econ 603A and 603B)
  4. Advanced Macroeconomic Theory (Econ 604A)
  5. Econometrics I (Econ 635)
  6. Applied Econometrics (Econ 638)

(b) Other Required Classes (10 credit hours)
  1. Development Economics (Econ 550 and (Econ 555 or 574 or 575 or 576))
  2. Environmental and Resources (Econ 513 and (Econ 514 or 535))
  3. International Economics (Econ 540 and (Econ 541 or 542))
  4. Labor Economics (Econ 520 and (Econ 512 or 520 or 522))
  5. Public Finance and Policy (Econ 530 and (Econ 515 or 525 or 532 or 534))
  6. Money and Banking (Econ 560 and MFE 644)
  7. Economic History (Econ 507 and (Econ 552 or 553))

Grad Students

(c) Two Elective Courses (10 credit hours) Each candidate is free to choose two courses in economics to complete the 60 credit hours. However, a candidate must obtain prior approval of the Graduate Chairman for courses outside of economics.

(d) Research Paper (5 credit hours)
Each candidate is required to complete a research paper (Econ 696) using data in the area of concentration and under the guidance of at least two faculty members, one of whom is designated as the Principal Advisor. All committee members must sign an approval form. Note that you must register for Econ 696 in order to receive credit for your research paper.