M.S. Degree Requirements

graduates

  • A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, including a creative component or thesis.
  • Up to 9 credits from 3000- and 4000-level courses may be used toward the degree (no more than 3 credits at the 3000 level), subject to approval by the Program of Study (POS) committee.

With year-round course availability, full-time students can complete the program in as few as 12 months, preparing them for high-impact careers in industry, government, and academia. The program culminates with a capstone project that provides hands-on research experience that matches a student's professional interests.

Coursework and Timeline for the MS Program

Students may begin the M.S. program in either the fall or spring semester. The schedule below outlines the typical course sequence for a full-time student beginning in the fall. Students who plan to begin in the spring semester or pursue the program on a part-time basis are encouraged to contact the Program Director to develop a personalized academic plan.

Fall Semester (Year 1)

Students in both MSAE and MSE programs will complete the following core courses:

  • ECON 5000: Quantitative Methods in Economic Analysis I (4 credits)
  • ECON 5010: Microeconomics (4 credits)
  • ECON 5940X: Research Methods in Economics I (1 credit)
  • Electives: 6 credits of elective coursework, selected based on the student's area of interest and in consultation with their advisor.
    • For more details, see the MS sample program below.

Spring Semester (Year 1)

Students will continue with the following coursework:

  • ECON 5710: Intermediate Econometrics (4 credits)
  • ECON 5950X: Research Methods in Economics II (1 credit)
  • ECON 5960X: Research Methods in Economics III (1 credit)
  • Electives: (for more details, see sample program)
    • MSAE students: 9 credits of elective coursework.
    • MSE students: 6 credits of elective coursework.
  • MSE students only:
    • ECON 5020: Macroeconomics (4 credits)

Additionally, during this semester, students should: 

  • Select a major professor to guide their research.
  • File their Graduate Committee and Academic Plan to outline their research focus and program of study.

Summer Semester (Year 1)

During the summer term, students will complete their research component:

  • ECON 5990: Research Course (2 credits)
  • File graduation paperwork to ensure all degree requirements are met.
  • Conduct an oral presentation as part of the final research project or creative component.
Sample 1-Year Program Plan
SemesterRequired Core Courses Sample Electives
MS Fall

MSAE/MSE: 

  • ECON 5000: Quant Methods in Econ Analysis (4cr)
  • ECON 5010: Microeconomics (4 cr)
  • ECON 5940: Res Methods in Econ I (1 cr)
  • Electives (6 cr)
  • ECON 5100: Experimental Econ
  • ECON 5370: Commodity Markets Analysis and Strategy
  • ECON 5800: Intermediate Environment and Resource Econ
  • FIN 4500: Analytical Finance
  • FIN 5340: Financial Derivatives
MS Spring

MSAE/MSE: 

  • ECON 5710: Intermediate Econometrics (4cr)
  • ECON 5950: Res Methods in Econ II (1 cr)
  • ECON 5960: Res Methods in Econ III (1 cr) Electives (9 cr MSAE/6 cr MSE) 

MSE: 

  • ECON 5020: Macroeconomics (4 cr)
  • ECON 5570: Int. Finance
  • ECON 5600: Agricultural, Food, and Trade Policy
  • STAT 4720: Intro to Time Series
MS Summer

MSAE/MSE: 

  • ECON 5990: Research Course (2 cr)
Complete your research project and graduate!