2007-2009 Bulletin 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2009 Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Economics, M.A.


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The M.A. is intended primarily to provide a level of expertis appropriate to many positions in government and business. Students interested in college and university teaching should apply for the Ph.D. degree. A master’s degree emphasizing economic theory and quantitative methods may complement an undergraduate program with a different orientation or one focused on different but related disciplines.

The requirements for the M.A. degree include the completion of 48 units (12 4-unit courses) with an average of B or better.

General Degree Requirements


Note:


Students without calculus 1 and 2 will also be required to take: ECON 307 : Mathematics for Social Sciences (4 units). See Student Handbook for course plans available.

One of the advantages of earning an M.A. degree from Claremont Graduate University is the opportunity to take Ph.D. level courses that develop quantitative tools and techniques and a deeper appreciation of the institutional contexts in which economic analysis must be conducted. We recommend that M.A. students consider taking one or more of the following advanced courses as part of their electives. Course descriptions and outlines are available on our website.

Elective Courses


Tracks


In addition, many M.A. students take one of the three (3) optional tracks in applied economics discussed below. In general, electives may be taken from any CGU department as well as economics, including management, mathematics, information science, and politics and policy, subject to requirement 5, above.

CONCENTRATIONS

  • Business and financial economics
  • International economic policy and development
  • Political economy and public policy

Business and Financial Economics


The M.A. track in business and financial economics offers a program typical of applied economics and finance concentrations in many graduate schools of business, but with a much greater emphasis on rigorous analytical and quantitative methods. It is particularly attractive for students seeking careers in business, consulting, and financial institutions:

Required Courses


International Economic Policy & Development


This track offers a program roughly similar to applied economics programs in graduate schools of public policy, diplomacy and law, with the added availability of courses in international business and management, as well as politics.

Required Courses


Political Economy & Public Policy


This track offers a program roughly similar to the economic concentrations in schools such as the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a number of graduate schools of public policy and interdisciplinary graduate programs in applied political economy. It provides a useful background formany positions in business and government, and is an especially attractive option for students considering pursuing a law degree.

Quantitative Emphasis


M.A. students who wish to have a quantitative emphasis, or are considering going on for the Ph.D., are encouraged to start the Ph.D. quantitative sequence. In some circumstances, substitutions for a core course may be allowed. In such cases, the written permission of the chair of the department is required.

Thesis Option


M.A. students with a stronger grade-point average may, with the approval of the department chair, substitute four of the 12 courses (16 units) with an M.A. thesis. Generally, such substitution is not allowed for the special emphasis programs in business and financial economics, international economic policy, and political economy and public policy.

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