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2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy)
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2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Apr 18, 2024
 
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2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Economics, M.A.

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The Master of Arts in Economics program prepares the student for a career as a professional in economics, finance, business or government or for further graduate work in the field of economics or finance. Prior degree work in economics is not required.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to engage in effective business communication, with competencies demonstrated for both oral and written communication. 
  • Students will be able to use specialized expertise in a functional area or domain area to address complex business or economic issues.  
  • Students will examine the role of quantitative data in managerial decision making.  They will understand the importance and roles of different types of data (financial, economic, accounting, etc.) Utilize appropriate format for presentation of data. 

Admission

Requirements for admission to the program conform to the general regulations of The Graduate School and the accreditation standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB International). Applicants submit the Moore School of Business application, an official transcript of their complete academic record and competitive scores on the GRE or GMAT.

International applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS International Academic Course Type 2 Exam. Otherwise-qualified candidates are required to achieve a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the iBT exam, at least 600 paper-based exam, or at least 7.0 on the IELTS exam. The TOEFL is not required of international students who have a degree from an American college or university.

New students are admitted in the fall semester only. Please visit the Darla Moore School of Business  website for admissions information.

Degree Requirements (30 Hours)

The M.A. in economics normally takes three full semesters of work. Each student must complete 30 credit hours, successfully complete a comprehensive exam, and maintain a B average (3.00) in the program. The student may elect the Economics track or the Financial Economics track. Within the Economics track, the student may elect the thesis option or non-thesis option. The thesis option requires 24 credit hours of coursework and a 6-credit hour thesis. The non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours of coursework. The Financial Economics track requires 30 credit hours of coursework.

At the beginning of the first semester, the student must construct a program of study and choose which track they will follow. Those who select the Economics track must also select the thesis or non-thesis option. In the first year of the program, all M.A. students must take the four core courses listed below. Elective courses and thesis hours will depend on the track selected, and whether the thesis or non-thesis option is chosen, as specified below.

The program of study (and any subsequent changes) must be approved by the graduate coordinator, the associate dean and director of graduate programs, and the dean of The Graduate School.

1. Core Courses

2. Economics Track

A. The Thesis Option

With this option, in addition to the 4 core courses, a total of 4 three-credit-hour, elective courses and 6 credit hours of thesis preparation must be taken. At least half of all coursework (excluding thesis hours) must be at the 700-800 level. Elective courses may be chosen from a variety of offerings both within and outside the department. Students pursuing this option may take up to two courses outside the department.

At the appropriate time, a thesis committee will be appointed by the graduate coordinator  with the approval of the department chair. The committee must consist of at least two faculty members. The student must defend orally a written proposal to this committee. The student must present and successfully defend a completed thesis that gives evidence of mature research within two years of passing the comprehensive exam and not later than six years after entering the program.

B. The Non-Thesis Option

With this option, in addition to the 4 core courses, a total of 6 three-credit-hour, elective courses must be taken. At least half of all coursework must be at the 700-800 level. Elective courses may be chosen from a variety of offerings both within and outside the department. Students pursuing this option may take up to three courses outside the department. All course work must be completed within two years of passing the comprehensive exam and not later than six years after entering the program.

3. Financial Economics Track

Students in the Financial Economics Track take 6 three-credit hour courses in addition to the four core courses listed above. All six of the courses must be in the Finance area. All course work must be completed within two years of passing the comprehensive exam and not later than six years after entering the program.

Of the six courses, there are three required courses:

The other three courses can be selected from any of the courses (subject to the advisor’s approval) listed below:

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