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 12–15 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

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 Program
Year Required 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 Fall

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 Fall

MSAE/MSE: 

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