Economics, M.A.

Overview

The Ph.D. in Economics provides comprehensive training in theoretical and empirical economics, as well as fields chosen by the student. The primary goal is to equip students with analytical and quantitative skills to conduct independent economic research. Individuals with strong research skills are sought by public and private employers in a number of different types of businesses, as well as by other academic institutions.

The Department also offers a Master of Arts and a Master of Science.  The Master of Science is designed to provide the foundation students need to succeed in a Ph.D. program or jobs requiring intensive technical, analytical, and quantitative skills.  The Master of Science provides students with core conceptual knowledge about microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics.  Students may apply these skills through their research, culminating in six credits of thesis if desired. Alternatively, students choosing the non-thesis option may further their knowledge through additional coursework.  The Master of Arts also emphasizes technical, analytical, and quantitative skills, but with fewer required courses and more electives, this degree allows students more flexibility. Both programs effectively prepare students for careers in applied economics, finance, banking, law and other professions that require analytical and quantitative skills.

Admission Standards

For full admission into the master of arts or master of science program majoring in economics, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
2. The applicant must have completed undergraduate course work in intermediate microeconomics and intermediate macroeconomics. These undergraduate prerequisites may be completed while enrolled at the university as a graduate special student (see “Graduate Special ” classification).

Students may enter the graduate programs in economics in either the fall or spring semesters. Please see our website at http://www.business.unr.edu/grad/programs/econ/admission.html for complete admission requirements.

Advisement

The department of economics advises all students enrolled in the master of arts or master of science programs majoring in economics. Graduate students are also required to take one credit of ECON 794  in addition to the credits required below, unless this requirement is waived by the graduate advisor.

Master of Arts Course Requirements

Specific course requirements for the master of arts in economics include:

• ECON 702 - Advanced Microeconomics (3 units)
• ECON 703 - Advanced Macroeconomics I (3 units)
• Nine additional credits taken at the 700-level
• A total of at least 24 credits of graduate-level courses, subject to graduate advisor approval
• Six credits of thesis work.
• ECON 741 - Applied Econometrics (3 units)
• ECON 794 - Seminar (1 unit)

The following is a typical schedule of courses for the master of arts: