The graduate core
courses are of fundamental importance for the M.A. in Economics. Core
courses are at the heart of the graduate program and are required of
all students:
- ECON - 601 Microeconomics: Theory and Applications
- ECON - 602 Macroeconomics: Theory and Applications
- ECON - 615 Mathematics for Economists
- ECON - 620 Graduate Econometrics
- ECON - 690 Graduate Seminar
All
students must pass the Master's Comprehensive exams in Microeconomics
and Macroeconomics as part of the M.A. in Economics degree. The
comprehensive exams are offered in the first weeks of both the Fall and
Spring semesters.
In
addition, all students must complete a research project in which they
demonstrate mastery of essential elements of economic analysis. This
research project must be completed as part of the Graduate Seminar
(ECON 690), before taking the Graduate Seminar. Students who wish to
write a Master's thesis (ECON 699) must fulfill the research
requirements (ECON 690) before being allowed to begin their thesis.
Learning Goals/Outcomes for the M.A. in Economics
Students who complete the M.A. in Economics will be able to:
- Understand modern micro and macroeconomic theories and their applications to contemporary economic problems,
including: decision-making in conditions of risk and uncertainty, and
the role of information; open economy macroeconomics and its
application to exchange rate movements and financial crises; efficiency
wage models, real business cycles; and endogenous growth.
- Conduct original quantitative empirical analysis of a relevant economic problem.
Specifically, students should be able to express an economic theory in
terms of an observable model; formulate a strategy for collecting the
data necessary to estimate a well-specified empirical model; determine
the appropriate estimation method for the empirical model; utilize
statistical software to conduct such estimation; and meaningfully
interpret the results.
- Carry out independent economic research,
including development of an original research question, compilation of
a professional literature review, specification of a theoretical and
testable empirical model; econometric analysis; and effective
communication of the study's principal findings and policy implications.
