Admission to the MA in Applied Economics program requires a baccalaureate degree, the attainment of satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination, three letters of recommendation, and the following coursework:
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Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (3 hours)
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Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (3 hours)
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Business Statistics or Mathematical Statistics (3 hours)
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Econometrics (3 hours)
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Calculus (3 hours)
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Mathematical Economics or Calculus II (3 hours)
The admission decision is based on an evaluation of three main criteria:
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GRE scores (the score on the quantitative reasoning section should fall in the 70th percentile or higher)
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3 letters of recommendation
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GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Credits required:
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30 semester hours
Time to completion:
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Three semesters
Available concentrations:
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Applied Economics
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Data Analytics
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Policy Analysis
Total estimated cost of degree, 2015-16:
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NC Residents: $12,031
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Out of State: $32,204
Priority Deadline for Funding:
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February 15
Last Day to Apply:
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May 1
Funding for Students:
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UNCG Graduate School Fellowships and Scholarships
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Bryan School Fellowships and Scholarships
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Graduate Assistantships in the Economics Department
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Research Assistantships for Grant-Funded Research
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Federal student loans available for US citizens
Completion Rate:
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80% of the students entering the program with needed prerequisite courses completed the degree in 4 semesters
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50% of the students entering the program completed the degree in 3 semesters
Placement Rates:
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50% of graduates had job offers in hand before graduation
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90% of graduates found positions in their field within 3 months of graduation
EARLY AUGUST
You will begin the program in early August with a two-week intensive review of the mathematical techniques needed for graduate-level coursework in economic theory and econometrics. This “math boot camp” (ECO 619) counts for three semester hours of credit and is part of the 12 hours taken during fall semester.
FIRST FALL SEMESTER
You will spend the first fall semester of the program acquiring a common core of knowledge of economic theory and econometrics. You will take 12 semester hours of core courses that provide a solid foundation in microeconomics and econometric theory, as well as an introduction to applied econometrics.
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ECO 619: Mathematical Economics
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ECO 641: Microeconomics I
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ECO 643: Econometric Methods
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ECO 644: Econometric Theory
If you are interested in pursuing the combined MA/PhD track, this is the time to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to discuss the possibility of beginning PhD coursework during the spring semester.
QUALIFYING EXAMS
In January, you will take two qualifying exams covering material from the fall semester. You must pass each exam with a grade of B- or better to meet this graduation requirement. You have two chances to pass each exam.
SPRING SEMESTER
During the spring semester, you take a final course in economic theory — either Microeconomics II or Macroeconomics — and three courses in which you begin applying economic theory and econometrics to real-world problems:
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ECO 721: Empirical Microeconomics
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ECO 725: Data Methods in Economics
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ECO 731: Applied Policy Methods
FINAL FALL SEMESTER
Before your final fall semester, you may decide to pursue a concentration in Data Analytics or Policy Analysis.
POLICY ANALYSIS CONCENTRATION
If you choose this concentration, you will take three courses that focus on applying microeconomics and econometrics to economic fields of study. All policy analysis students take ECO 734: Public Policies Toward Innovation and Sustainability, which serves as the capstone course for this concentration.
The remaining two courses can be selected from:
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ECO 735: Labor Economics
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ECO 736: Public Economics
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ECO 737: Health Economics
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ECO 738: Topics in Economics (topics vary)
You may choose to take one of these elective courses through another graduate department such as Educational Research Methodology, Political Science, or Health. This choice is be made in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies.
DATA ANALYTICS CONCENTRATION
If you choose this concentration, you will take more courses that provide training in statistical tools and applied econometrics:
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ECO 722: Time Series Analysis
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ECO 723: Predictive Data Mining (capstone seminar)
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Third elective course in analytical tools
You may use that third elective course to deepen your understanding of economic theory, econometrics, and mathematical economics by taking PhD level courses in these areas. Additionally, you may, after consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies, choose to pursue special interests by taking coursework outside the Department of Economics in other graduate departments including Educational Research Methodology, Geography, Health, Information Systems, or Business Administration.
WHAT IS THE ACCELERATED DEGREE PROGRAM IN ECONOMICS?
The Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) allows exceptional UNCG undergraduate students to complete a bachelor’s degree and the MA in Applied Economics in 5 years — only two additional semesters of course work beyond the bachelor’s.
The main features of the ADP in Economics are:
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Begin graduate studies while completing your bachelor’s degree.
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Up to 12 hours of graduate coursework taken in your senior year can count toward both degrees.
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The Master of Arts in Applied Economics will be awarded after one additional year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree.
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Fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships are available for highly qualified students.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE ADP IN ECONOMICS?
In order to be eligible to enter the ADP in Economics:
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You must have completed 60 semester credits at UNCG or another institution at the time you apply.
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You must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 based on at least 30 hours of credit earned at UNCG.
SIX STEPS TO BEGINNING THE ADP
STEP 1: TAKE THE 3 ECONOMICS FOUNDATIONS COURSES BEFORE YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.
You must take Principles of Microeconomics (ECO 201), Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 202), and Economics/Business Statistics I (ECO 250). You must receive grades of B+ or better in each course. Take these courses early — no later than the summer following your sophomore year.
STEP 2: TAKE THE 4 PREREQUISITE COURSES BEFORE OR DURING YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.
The MAE program requires four prerequisite courses: Intermediate Microeconomics (ECO 301), Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECO 346 or ECO 302), Mathematical Economics (ECO 319), and Economics/Business Statistics II (ECO 350 or 351). You must complete all four by the end of your junior year to be eligible to enter the ADP program. You must earn a grade of B+ or better in these courses.
STEP 3: DISCUSS THE ADP WITH THE DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES EARLY IN YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.
The Director of Graduate Studies for the Economics Department is Dr. Kenneth Snowden (snowden@uncg.edu). He will review your economics background and help you plan the coursework for your final year.
STEP 4: TAKE THE GRE EARLY.
You must take the GRE exam to enter the MAE program. We recommend you take the exam no later than the summer between your junior and senior years. You do not need to take the subject test in economics.
STEP 5: SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED ADP APPLICATION TO THE ECONOMICS GRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFICE IN BRYAN 464 BY THE END OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.
Copies of the ADP application are available at the Economics Department office in Bryan 462. An electronic ADP application is also available. Dr. Jean Rosales (economics@uncg.edu) manages the admissions process for graduate programs in the Economics Department. She can help you with the paperwork associated with entering the Accelerated Degree and MA in Applied Economics programs.
STEP 6: APPLY TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL AT UNCG FOR ADMISSION TO THE MA IN APPLIED ECONOMICS PROGRAM.
You must complete the electronic ApplyYourself application by the end of your junior year to be formally admitted to the Accelerated Degree Program. Dr. Rosales in Bryan 464 can help you with this, too.