Economics

Department of Economics
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5330 USA
(269) 387-5535

Master of Arts in Economics (Accelerated)

The accelerated master's program in applied economics allows Western Michigan University undergraduate economics majors to begin to accumulate credits toward the completion of a master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree.

When admitted to the accelerated program with senior standing, students may take up to 12 credit hours of designated 5000- and 6000-level courses for graduate credit. These designated courses may be used in completion of both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. ECON 5040 must be included in the 12 credit hours. Other courses are selected in consultation with the department’s Director of Graduate Programs and the department’s Director of Undergraduate Programs.

NOTE: Our MA in Applied Economics has the following CIP Code: 45.0603

Eligibility

This program is open to WMU undergraduate students:

  • Who are enrolled as an economics major at WMU.
  • Who, prior to their senior year, have been accepted to the program.
  • Who, by the fall semester of their senior year:
    • Have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at WMU and at least 20 credit hours as a declared economics major.
    • Have an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.5 based on 45 credit hours with at least 15 hours earned at WMU.
    • Have completed MATH 1220 (Calculus I) with a grade of B or higher.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the accelerated program are expected to meet graduate expectations in their graduate courses.

Students who have received a bachelor’s degree are ineligible to apply for the accelerated M.A. in applied economics (but can apply for the traditional M.A. program).

Admission/Enrollment

1. As early as possible, but no later than the spring semester of the junior year, interested students should meet with the Director of Graduate Programs and the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Economics to discuss the Accelerated M.A.

2. Apply for admission to the M.A. program in applied economics.

3. Upon acceptance, students must meet with the Director of Graduate Programs and the Director of Undergraduate Programs to finalize an appropriate program of study that meets the requirements for the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

4. A letter advising which graduate courses will be counted in both degrees will be sent to the student and the registrar's office. A copy of this letter also will be included in your graduate file.

Economics courses Eligible for the Accelerated M.A. Program

Required course

  • ECON 5040 – Mathematics for Economists (3 credit hours)
    Taken during the Fall semester of their senior year.

Elective courses

Students may select up to three additional courses from the list below to be taken during their senior year.

  • ECON 6030 – Microeconomic Analysis (3 credit hours)
    Prerequisites: MATH 1220 or MATH 1700 or ECON 5040. Course is offered Spring semester only.
  • ECON 6190 – Econometrics Analysis (3 credit hours)
    Prerequisites: ECON 6220 or equivalent. Course is offered Spring semester only.
  • ECON 6290 – Research Methods (3 credit hours)
    Prerequisites: ECON 4090 or ECON 6190. Course is offered Fall semester only.
  • ECON 6220 – Economics Statistics (3 credit hours)
    Prerequisites: MATH 1220 or MATH 1700 or ECON 5040. Course is offered Fall semester only.
  • ECON 6620 – Macroeconomic Analysis (3 credit hours)
    Prerequisites: ECON 4030 and ECON 4060. Course is offered Fall semester only.

Requirements for continuing eligibility and graduation

  • After admission to the Accelerated M.A. in applied economics, students must follow the program of study developed with the Director of Graduate Programs and the Director of Undergraduate Programs.
  • Students who become ineligible to continue participation in the Accelerated M.A. program will be notified in writing by the Director of Graduate Programs.
  • In order to progress automatically into the M.A. program, students must achieve a grade of B or higher in each of the graduate courses being counted for the undergraduate degree. Students not meeting this requirement will have the earned grade applied to the undergraduate degree only and must apply for readmission into the graduate program.
  • The undergraduate degree must be awarded within one calendar year after initial enrollment in the Accelerated M.A. program. Students not meeting this requirement must reapply to be admitted to the graduate program.
  • Students may withdraw at any time from the Accelerated M.A. program by informing the Director of Graduate Programs and the Director of Undergraduate in writing. A copy of the request to withdraw must be sent to the registrar's office.
  • The requirements for the M.A. degree must be completed within 24 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree. Students unable to meet this requirement must apply for an extension with Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Economics.

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