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Master of Science in Economics Curriculum

The Department of Economics offers both a thesis and non-thesis option Master of Science degree with a concentration in Financial Econometrics or Financial Economics. This STEM degree program aims to provide rigorous training in economics, econometrics, analytical, and quantitative skills for students in order to prepare them for immediate careers in the financial sector such as trading analyst, financial consultant, data analyst, distribution analyst, and loan administrator; business or government; or further study in top economics and finance Ph.D. programs.

Master of Science (MS) – Thesis Option

The Master of Science, with thesis, requires a minimum of 32 credit hours of coursework. The campus/synchronous degree program plan consists of at least 32 credit hours, typically, 12 credit hours will be taken in the department, 9 credit hours may be credited towards courses in supporting field(s) of interest as planned and approved by the student’s thesis committee, and 11 hours may be credited for the thesis.

Coursework in the supporting fields in the MS-Thesis program may be in any related academic area that contributes to a student’s career objectives. Examples include accounting, agricultural economics, finance, international affairs, math, public policy and administration, and statistics. A residence requirement of nine (9) credit hours of coursework must be completed in one regular semester.

Master of Science (MS) – Non-Thesis Option
The Master of Science, with no thesis, does not require a Final Examination. The campus/synchronous degree program plan consists of at least 36 semester credit hours, typically, 21 semester credit hours will be taken in the department, and 15 credit hours in supporting field(s) of interest.

Coursework in the supporting fields in the MS-Non Thesis program may be in any related academic area that contributes to a student’s career objectives. Examples include accounting, agricultural economics, finance, international affairs, math, public policy and administration, and statistics. A residence requirement of nine (9) credit hours of coursework must be completed in one regular semester.

Core Courses (15 credit hours or 5 classes)
While students are allowed the flexibility to select support courses to tailor their graduate program to match their academic interests and career aspirations, each program requires the completion of four core curriculum courses to gain content knowledge and skills:

  • ECON 607 Foundations of Microeconomics Theory (Fall)
  • ECON 611 Foundations of Macroeconomic Theory (Spring)
  • ECMT 673 Economic Analytics (Fall)
  • ECMT 674 Economic Forecasting (Spring)

The Non-Thesis Option requires a fifth core course:

  • ECON 675 Capstone (Fall)

ECON/ECMT Elective Courses (6 credit hours or 2 classes of your choice)
The program provides rigorous training in economics, econometrics, and analytical and quantitative skills and offers flexibility with electives. Students will select 6 credit hours (or 2 classes) of courses.

  • ECON 612 Money, Banking, and Financial Markets (Fall)
  • ECON 614 Economics of Microfinance (Spring)
  • ECON 617 Economics of the Multinational Firm (Spring)
  • ECON 618 Behavioral Financial Economics (Fall)
  • ECON 633 Energy Markets and Policy (Fall or Spring)
  • ECON 663 International Transfer Pricing (Fall or Spring)
  • ECON 668 Decisions Under Risk and Uncertainty (Fall or Spring)
  • ECON 680 Financial Economics (Fall)
  • ECON 685 Directed Studies (Fall or Spring)
  • ECMT 660 Mathematical Economics (Fall)
  • ECMT 670 Econometric Analysis of Financial Data (Fall)
  • ECMT 680 Financial Econometrics (Spring)

General Elective Courses (15 credit hours or 5 classes)
Students may select 15 credit hours of coursework in related academic areas that contribute to their career objectives. Examples include accounting, agricultural economics, finance, international affairs, math, public policy and administration, and statistics.

Students may consider selecting up to two (2) undergraduate 300- or 400-level courses to apply toward their MS degree. These courses cannot be repeated if taken as an undergraduate student.

A student may enroll for an internship course in the Summer of their first year or in the Spring of their second year.

MS ECON Curriculum

Resources: Graduate and Professional Catalog

For questions regarding the MS ECON & MIA Combined Degree Program, contact Margaret Lomas Carpenter, ms-econ-program@tamu.edu