Economics, M.A.

I. Contact Information

Mark W. Nichols, Graduate Program Director
Office Phone: (775) 784-6936
mnichols@unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction

The Department of Economics offers three graduate degrees in Economics: Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), and a PhD. The general requirements of the Graduate School must be satisfied by all candidates for graduate degrees in Economics.

The mission of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Master of Arts program in Economics is to provide advanced training in economics, to prepare students to be economic analysts in either the public or private sector, and to prepare students for future advanced graduate studies in Economics. The Master of Arts program provides the flexibility for students to choose a more policy-oriented or applied approach by allowing more electives than the MS. The MA degree in Economics has two options, a research-based Thesis Masters (Plan A), and a non-Thesis Masters (Plan B).

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1: Advanced Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

Students will be able to

• demonstrate their understanding of economic theory in the two required advanced economic theory classes (ECON 702 and ECON 703).

Outcome 2: Quantitative Skills and Analytic Methods

Students will be able to

• identify correct econometric methods to analyze data, test hypotheses, and analyze economics issues.
• complete a Math Workshop required by incoming graduate students the summer prior to matriculation in the graduate program and will demonstrate an understanding of those techniques in subsequent classes.
• demonstrate their understanding of various econometric techniques, including OLS, instrumental variables, discrete variable methods, panel and time series techniques and be able to identify which technique to employ in the Applied Econometrics course and various electives.

Outcome 3: Literature Research and Communication Skills

Students will be able to

• clearly communicate, either in writing or verbally when called upon, the results of an economic analysis.
• present their work by effective written communication in the form of scientific papers and reports, and by oral communication in the form of scientific seminars.
• critically analyze and extract information from papers in the scientific literature.

IV. Admission Requirements

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

• have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• have an overall grade point average (GPA ) of at least 2.75 or a last-half GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• 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 “Classification of Students  “).
• International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 500 (paper) 61 (internet).
• GRE or GMAT scores must be submitted to the Graduate School.

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.

Master of Arts Plan A Course Requirements

Specific course requirements include:

• Plan A (Thesis)

• ECON 702 - Advanced Microeconomics (3 units)
• ECON 703 - Advanced Macroeconomics I (3 units)
• ECON 741 - Applied Econometrics (3 units)
• ECON 794 - Seminar (1-3 units)
• Nine additional credits taken at the 700-level
• Six additional elective credits at the 600-level or 700-level.
• A total of at least 25 credits of graduate-level courses, subject to graduate advisor approval.
• Six credits of thesis work.

The following is a typical schedule of courses for the Master of Arts Plan A - Thesis:

Master of Arts Plan B Course Requirements

Plan B (Non-Thesis)

• ECON 702 - Advanced Microeconomics (3 units)
• ECON 703 - Advanced Macroeconomics I (3 units)
• ECON 741 - Applied Econometrics (3 units)
• ECON 794 - Seminar (1-3 units)
• Nine additional credits taken at the 700-level
• 15 additional elective credits at the 600-level or 700-level.
• A total of at least 34 credits of graduate-level courses, subject to graduate advisor approval.

Note(s):

The Master of Arts Plan B degree does not require a thesis. However, additional course work approved by the students faculty advisory/examining committee must be completed. Each candidate’s program of study must be approved by the student’s departmental advisor and the College of Business Director of Graduate Studies. Students must also meet all university and college requirements for the master’s degree.

The following is a typical schedule of courses for the Master of Arts Plan B - Non-Thesis:

VI. Program Total Hours (31 - 34 units)

Plan A requires 31 units/Plan B requires 34 units.