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Poole College of Management
Economics Graduate (Grad ECON) Program

Terminal Master’s Track

The terminal master’s track is for students who will seek full-time employment after graduation. Students may enroll in the track on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students can finish the program in 1 year, 18 months or 2 years, depending on their own pace.

Core Courses 

Students choosing this track will complete a quantitatively rigorous core sequence of four courses that includes two semesters of econometric analysis:

  • ECG 700: Fundamentals of Microeconomics
  • ECG 703: Fundamentals of Macroeconomics
  • ECG 561: Applied Econometrics I
  • ECG 562: Applied Econometrics II

Elective Courses

An additional six courses (18 credit hours) of electives are required. Students may simply select from courses listed below and other approved courses. But they also have the opportunity to concentrate their studies on one or multiple fields that match with their own interests.

Concentration: Data Analytics

  • ECG 563: Applied Microeconometrics
  • ECG 564: Big Data Econometrics
  • ECG 750: Introduction to Econometric Methods
  • DSC 495/595: Special Topics in Data Science

Concentration: Economic Policy

  • ECG 590: Health Economics and Policy
  • ARE 433: US Agricultural Policy
  • ARE 590: Food Policy

Concentration:  Natural Resource & Environmental Economics

  • ECG 515: Environmental and Resource Policy
  • ARE 590: Environmental Entrepreneurship and Markets 
  • FOR 519: Forest Economics

Concentration:  Financial Economics

  • ECG 528: Options and Derivatives Pricing (Asset Pricing)
  • ARE 590: Introduction to Commodity Futures Markets
  • ARE 495: Investments, Portfolio Management and Retirement 

Concentration:  International Economics

  • ECG 548: International Economics
  • ARE 448: International Agricultural Trade

Other Electives:

  • ECG 765: Mathematical Methods for Economists
  • ECG 590: Foundations of Capitalism

Additional rules regarding the electives:

  • At least four courses (12 credit hours) must be at the 500 level or above. 
  • Can take up to two courses (6 credit hours) at the 400 level or above from other departments. 
  • A minimum of two courses in a given area are required to claim a concentration.
  • Cannot use the same course for multiple concentrations.

Certificate of completion of concentration(s):

Upon completion of the Master’s program, students may request an official letter from the DGP. The letter will be on department letterhead, signed by the DGP, and will mention you by name, your degree program, and that you have successfully completed specific concentration(s).

Thesis Option

A thesis is required for the MS degree (Master of Science in Economics) rather than the MR degree (Master of Economics). Up to 6 credit hours of ECG 695 (Thesis Preparation) may be applied toward the degree as electives (so only need to complete four other elective courses). The thesis requirement is met upon successfully passing a final oral exam. The oral exam consists of an oral defense of the completed written thesis before the student’s thesis advisory committee.

Sample Curriculum

Most of our students in this track finish the program in one year or 18 months and some finish in 2 years.

Semester Courses
1st semester ECG 700; ECG 561; Elective 1; Elective 2
2nd semester ECG 703; ECG 562; Elective 3; Elective 4
3rd semester (maybe Summer) MR: Elective 5; Elective 6

 

MS: 6 credit hours of thesis research