Master of Arts in Economics

Prerequisites to Degree Program: Applicants for graduate studies in economics must meet the requirements of the Graduate School of Business and be accepted by the Department of Economics. Generally, the requirements are: 1) a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a satisfactory grade-point average, and 2) a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Students who have had few economic courses at the undergraduate level may be required to enroll in several undergraduate courses at the beginning of their course of study at the University of Arkansas. To take graduate courses in economics, students, as a general rule, must have had courses in intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, basic statistics, calculus, and linear algebra. Students who have not had these courses will be asked to take them at the beginning of their program of study.

Areas of Concentration: Within the Master of Arts program in Economics, two options are available. The pre-Ph.D. option is a traditional program designed for students who may wish eventually to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The business economics option is designed for students who seek advanced training in applied economics and business preparatory to entering industry or government employment.

Master of Arts, Pre Ph.D. Option

Prerequisites to Degree Program, Pre-Ph.D. Option: The requirements for this option are: 1) intermediate economic theory, 2) two semesters of calculus, 3) basic statistics, and 4) linear algebra.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree, Pre-Ph.D. Option: This program is designed primarily for students who plan eventually to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Arkansas or elsewhere. Therefore, the program stresses the acquisition of knowledge of economic theory and the development of research skills. Candidates for this degree must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work, including the thesis requirement, and register for the graduate seminar each semester they are on campus.

Core Requirements: 18 hours

ECON 5613 Econometrics I

ECON 5623 Econometrics II

ECON 6233 Microeconomic Theory II

ECON 6243 Macroeconomic Theory II

STAT 3013 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Seminars: Students are required to register for ECON 643V or ECON 644V for one-hour credit each semester they are on campus.

Electives: 6 hours (Must be approved by the Economics Department Head.)

Thesis: 6 hours. The thesis requirement may be waived and substituted with 6 additional hours of course work; however, 3 of these hours must be an independent study project (ECON 636V) that involves the writing of a research paper.

Comprehensive Exam: A comprehensive exam is required.

Master of Arts, Business Economics Option

Prerequisites to Degree Program, Business Economics Option: The requirements for this option are: 1) intermediate theory, 2) one semester of calculus, 3) basic statistics, and 4) linear algebra.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree, Business Economics: This program is designed for students seeking advanced training as preparation for entering into public or private employment. Therefore, the program stresses the development of skills in areas of applied economics and business administration in addition to economic theory. Candidates for this degree must complete a minimum of 39 semester hours of course work with a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.00 and register for the graduate seminar each semester they are on campus.

Economics Core Requirements: 18 hours

ECON 5333 Economics of Organizations
ECON 5613 Econometrics I
ECON 5623 Econometrics II
ECON 6233 Microeconomic Theory II
ECON 6243 Macroeconomic Theory II
ECON 636V Special Problems in Economics

Business Administration Core Requirements: 12 hours

1. 9 hours in finance, accounting, or marketing

    Note: Students who do not have the necessary background in these areas to take graduate-level courses will be required to take additional course work to make up deficiencies.

2. 3 hours in a complementary field:

    Finance concentration:
   3 hours in accounting

    Accounting concentration:
   3 hours in finance

    Marketing concentration:
   3 hours in accounting or finance

Seminars: Students are required to register for ECON 643V or ECON 644V for one-hour credit each semester they are on campus.

Electives: 9 hours (must be approved by the Economics Department Head.)

Comprehensive Exam: A comprehensive exam is required.