2010-2011 Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]
Economics, MA
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Academic Program
The Master of Arts in Economics degree program is intended to prepare the student for a variety of applied analysis positions in both the private and public sectors. The MA can also serve as a prelude to more advanced graduate work.
Degree Requirements
The MA in Economics is a 48-unit program, except for the concentration in Global Commerce and Finance which is 36 units. This degree 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 MA degree include the completion of 48 units (12 4-unit courses) with an average of B or better.
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General Degree Requirements
Note:
Students without Calculus 1 and 2 will also be required to take: Econ 307: Mathematics for Social Sciences (4 units)
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
1) Econ 336 Financial Economics, or an alternative approved finance course
2) SPE 324 Economics of Management and Organization
3) Two additional approved courses related to business and financial economics. A partial list of possibilities:
- Econ 265 Industrial Organization
- Econ 267 Law and Economics
- Econ 273 Economics of Innovation
- Econ337 Behavioral Finance and Risk Management
- Econ 350 International Money and Finance
- SPE 301 Behavioral Neuroscience of Decision-Making
International Economic Policy & Development
This track offers a program 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
1) Econ 247 International Trade Theory and Policy (4 units)
2) Econ 350 International Money and Finance (4 units) 3) Applied intl. economic policy or development course (4 units), such as:
- Econ 224 Asian Political Economy
- Econ342 Asian Economic Development
- Econ359 Finance and Development
- Econ 374 Economic Policies in Developing Countries
4) One course in the Politics of International Economic Relations such as:
- PP 411 International Political Economy (4 units)
5) Two additional approved courses (8 units) from the broad areas of international economics and development, international and comparative political economy and international management, such as:
- Econ 358 Advanced Topics in Intl. Monetary and Financial Economics
- PP 366 Political and Economic Development in Latin America
- SPE 302 Political Economy of Development
Political Economy & Public Policy
This track offers a program 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. Required Courses
One course from each of (1) and (2): Elective Field Courses
Choose at least four approved (16 units) political economy and policy courses such as: Global Commerce and Finance
This Master’s degree concentration requires 36 units and can normally be completed in two summers and two semesters. It is designed for professionals in business, government and international and non-profit organizations. It provides a highly structured program drawing on applied economics and financial analysis, predictive modeling, political economy, new institutional economics, behavioral and neuroeconomics and finance to create a broad, robust framework for understanding global economic, political and financial interactions.
Students without a strong background in quantitative methods should consider starting in the summer with a two-course quantitative methods sequence. Some electives will also be available during the summer.
Students will also have the option of taking an additional twelve hours to earn a certificate of advanced study in their field of specialization. Core Courses
1. SPE 351: The Global Political Economy
2. Econ 350: Global Money and Finance
3. SPE 471: Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics and Business Decisions
4. SPE 324: Economics of Management and Organizations
5. Econ 336: Financial Economics OR Econ 337: Behavioral Finance and Risk Management
6. SPE 385: Quantitative Methods I
7. SPE 386: Quantitative Methods II
Elective Courses
Two (2) additional approved courses from a specialization area such as:
1. Predictive Modeling (PP438)
2. International Finance (Econ 358, Econ 359)
3. International Trade (Econ 347, Econ 374)
4. Economic Development (PP 336, SPE 302)
5. Globalization (PP371, PP 411, PP417)
6. Political Economy and Public Policy (PP 330, PP350)
7. China and the Global Economy (Econ 342, SPE297)
8. Financial Economics (Econ 336, Econ 337)
9. Quantitative Methods (Econ 308, Econ 382, PP 481, PP 482, PP 487)
10. Neuroeconomics (SPE301).
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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