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Graduate Studies

Director of Graduate Studies: Donald J. Kridel (kridel@umsl.edu)

Master of Arts in Economics

The Department of Economics offers a Master of Arts in Economics (MA FAQs). The MA is designed for students interested in a broad-based background in the traditional fields of economics. It is intended for those who wish to:

  1. pursue further graduate study in economics, or

  2. prepare for a career in business, government, and other organizations; or

  3. teach basic economics;

A recommended study program is available for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. after completing the MA in economics at UM-St. Louis (Ph.D. application FAQs).

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate major in economics is not required for acceptance into the program. Application for admission may be submitted at any time, although class work formally begins in late August, mid-January, and mid-June. Candidates must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, submit GRE scores (Advanced Economics optional), and submit two letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the candidates' potential for success in the program.

The admission decision is based on the applicant's academic transcript, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal narrative on the application form.

Departmental Honors

A student may earn departmental honors with a GPA of 3.75 in all required courses for the MA degree and the recommendation of the department.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the MA in Economics must complete a 30-hour semester curriculum.

Candidates need not have an undergraduate degree in economics. However, students are expected to have taken intermediate micro- and macro-economics, mathematical economics, and introductory econometrics prior to the beginning of the core curriculum. Students that do not have these courses will take these courses first; credits earned in these courses do not count towards the 30 hours required for the MA.

Required Core Courses

The following courses or their equivalents are required for both the MA. Students with previous education in economics or business may waive some of these courses.

Electives

Candidates must complete at least 21 hours of electives. A maximum of 6 hours of economics electives may be taken at the 4000 level. With the approval of the graduate coordinator, students may take up to 9 hours of graduate courses outside the Department of Economics. In particular, students interested in business economics may take up to three approved graduate courses for their electives in business.

Dual MBA/MA

For as few as 15 hours of additional course work in economics, a Master of Arts in Economics may be obtained along with your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Once accepted into the MBA program need only complete an on-page to one-page application form to gain admittance to the Economics program as well. Fulltime students can easily complete the MA degree in a year's time, while part-time students can be accommodated over a longer time period. All courses are available during the evening. The following course of study is recommended for dual degree-seekers. It is assumed that students have already completed at least one course in calculus.

    I) Core requirements - 9 hours

    II) Electives - 21 hours

    Twelve hours of graduate-level electives (excluding BA 5000, BA 5001, and IS 6800 and LOM 5300) to be incorporated from you MBA degree program. Six additional graduate hours in economics, three hours of which may be at the 4000 level.

    Applicants need not have an undergraduate degree in economics. However, students are expected to have taken, either at the baccalaureate or MBA level: Intermediate Microeconomics (Econ 3001 or BA 5001), Intermediate Macroeconomics (Econ 3002 or BA 5002), Mathematical Economics (Econ 4150), Money, Banking, and Monetary Theory (Econ 3200), Statistical Analysis for Management Decisions (LOM 5300) and Introductory Econometrics (Econ 4100). Students that do not have these courses do not count towards the hours required for the MA.

    Students must take at least 30 hours to complete the MA in Economics degree-core requirements (I) and electives (II) - and these courses must be completed within a period of six years.

Certificate in Forensic Economics

The Certificate in Forensic Economics is a program of study is designed for individuals who wish to supplement previous graduate studies with training in the theory and application of forensic economics. The program is aimed at individuals who wish to prepare economic reports and offer expert economic testimony for selected areas of litigation. The entrance requirement is a master's degree in such areas as actuarial science, business administration, finance, economics, or public policy. An applicant must have had course work, or its equivalent, in intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, and statistics. Course work in labor economics and law and economics is recommended but not required. Individuals admitted to this certificate program will be nonmatriculating graduate students.

Required Courses

The certificate requires a minimum of 18 hours of course work in forensic economics. Students must complete:

Graduate Certificate in Managerial Economics

A Graduate Certificate in Managerial Economics is a program of study designed for individuals who wish to supplement previous graduate studies with advanced training in economic analysis. The entrance requirement is a master's degree in such areas as business administration, finance, or public policy administration. Individuals admitted to this certificate program will be nonmatriculating graduate students.

Required Courses

The Certificate requires a minimum of 18 hours of course work in economics. Students must complete:

In addition, the student is required to take an elective (any economics course numbered above 5000). Students with previous experience in economics may be able to substitute for courses previously completed, however, 18 credit hours are required for the Certificate.