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

1) ECON 313 - Microeconomic Analysis I
2) ECON 302 - Macroeconomic Analysis I
3) ECON 308 - Mathematics for Economists I and
ECON 382 - Econometrics I
4) An approved ECON or SP&E course in new institutional economics or political economy (4 units)
5) At least three other courses must be 300 or 400-level ECON or SPE courses, or approved substitutes (12 units)

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

ECON 303 - Macroeconomic Analysis II (dynamic general equilibrium models and growth)
ECON 316 - Advanced Microeconomics I (constrained optimization and equilibrium)
ECON 317 - Advanced Microeconomics II (non-cooperative game theory)
ECON 383 - Econometrics II (econometric techniques for micro-level data)
ECON 384 - Econometrics III (time series econometrics and forecasting)

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 337 - Empirical Finance or an alternative approved finance course.
2) SP&E 324 - Economics of Management and Organization
3) Two additional approved courses related to business and financial economics chosen from the following:
ECON 265 - Industrial Organization
ECON 267 - Law and Economics
ECON 273 - Economics of Innovation
ECON 350 - International Money and Finance
SP&E 301 - Behavioral Neuroscience of Decision Making

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

1) ECON 247 - International Trade Theory and Policy
2) ECON 350 - International Money and Finance
3) Applied international economic policy or development course (4 units), such as:
ECON 224 - Asian Political Economy
ECON 374 - Economic Policies in Developing Countries
4) One course in the Politics of International Economic Relations such as:
PP 411 - International Political Economy
5) Two additional approved courses (8 units) fromthe broad areas of international economics and development, international and comparative political economy, and international management, such as:
ECON 358 - Advanced Topics in International Monetary and Financial Economics
PP 366 - Political and Economic Development in Latin America
SP&E 302 - Political Economy of Development

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.

Core Courses Requirement

One course from each of (1) and (2):

1) Political Economy (4 units)
ECON 300 - Political Economy and Social Inquiry
or
ECON 343/286 - Public Choice
or
SP&E 410 - Foundations of Political Economy
2) Applied Policy (4 units)
ECON 266 - Government Policies Toward Business
ECON 267 - Law and Economics
ECON 273 - Economics of Innovation
SP&E 318 - Seminar in Policy Analysis Public Policy

Elective Field Courses

Choose at least four approved (16 units) political economy and policy courses such as:

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.