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Economics Graduate Programs

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Program Overview - M.A.

General Information

The Master of Arts in Applied Economics is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in economic analysis combined with the ability to apply theory to contemporary problems. Graduates of the program are employed in industry, government and teaching. Some graduates continue their formal training in economics, pursuing the Ph.D. degree at WMU or at another university.

Ten courses are required for the M.A. Seven of these courses are required; three are electives. Electives can be used to obtain a concentration in Economic Development or Econometrics/Statistics (see below for course details). Some benefits of these concentrations:

• These concentrations are formally listed on your transcript upon graduation.
• No other M.A. program in Michigan offers an Econometrics/Statistics concentration or an Economic Development concentration in their M.A. program.
• Concentration courses are offered in the WMU Department of Economics as well as WMU's Statistics and Political Science departments, allowing the student an interdisciplinary experience in the M.A. coursework.
  

Program Requirements

• The satisfactory completion of either 24 hours of courses plus a master's thesis or 30 hours, if additional courses are submitted in lieu of the thesis, in a planned program prepared in consultation with the graduate advisor. At least an overall "B" average in the Economics courses that the student takes in an advisor-approved program of study.

• Economic Computing (ECON 5030); Economic Statistics (ECON 6220); Mathematical Economics (ECON 5040); Introduction to Econometrics (ECON 6190); Uncertainty and Information (ECON 6070); Advanced Price Theory (ECON 6030); National Income Analysis (ECON 6620).

• MA students who select the non-thesis option may elect to take concentrations in Economic Development or Econometrics/Statistics. Non-thesis students who do not elect a concentration take three (3) elective courses approved by the Economics Department Director of Graduate Programs.

Concentrations

Econometrics/Statistics Concentration: Students who select the Econometrics/Statistics concentration take two or more courses in Econometrics / Statistics. These courses must be approved by the Department's Director of Graduate Programs. Acceptable courses include:
Economics 6700 (Advanced Econometrics I), Economics 6710 (Advanced Econometrics II), Statistics 5630 (Survey Sample Methods), Statistics 5650 (Design of Experiments of Quality Improvement), Statistics 5660 (Nonparametric Statistical Methods), Statistics 6800 (SAS Programming), and Statistics 6820 (Time Series Analysis). At least one of the courses used for the concentration must be taken in The Department of Statistics. Course Descriptions: Economics Statistics.

Economic Development Concentration: Students who select the Economic Development concentration must take two or more courses related to economic development. These courses must be approved by the Department`s Director of Graduate Programs. Acceptable courses include:
Economics 5880 (Economic Development), Economics 6880 (Economic Development I), Political Science 5320 (Administration in Developing Countries), Political Science 6300 (Seminar: Public Administration), Political Science 6330 (The Political Environment of Public Administration), and Political Science 6440 (Seminar: Comparative Strategies of Development). Course Descriptions: Economics Political Science (select PSCI as the prefix) 

It is the policy and commitment of Western Michigan University not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, handicap, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other pertinent state and federal regulations. GRP 94-057/0894/2M

Questions?

Contact:

Director of Graduate Programs
5315 Friedmann Hall
Telephone: (269) 387-5553
Fax: (269) 387-5637
E Mail: