Master of Science in Economics

The Master of Science program in economics is designed with maximum flexibility to provide the training necessary for careers in teaching, government, business, and other areas where original research may be important but not the prime requirement. The program provides balanced training in the basic areas of economics but can be tailored to the specific career goals of individual students. The M.S. is not required for Ph.D. candidacy, but successful M.S. students, who find that their interests have developed in that direction, may enter the Ph.D. program. There are several paths to a M.S. degree. Students wanting preparation for a Ph.D. program are advised to take the Ph.D. core classes along with the Ph.D. students. Students seeking a terminal masters degree may take a series of masters-level courses in economics supplemented with masters-level courses from other departments. For terminal masters degree students, the required courses are masters-level courses in macroeconomics, microeconomics, and mathematical economics.

Students may elect a thesis or non-thesis option for the M.S. degree.

Non-thesis students are required to complete 36 credit hours; thesis students are required to complete 32 credit hours including a thesis. All masters students must stand for an oral exam in the final semester of their studies.

Students may elect a thesis or non-thesis option for the M.S. degree. Successful completion of the following courses is required for all M.S. students:

• ECON 607
• ECON 611
• ECMT 660

Thesis Option

Course Work: A total of 32 hours of credit are required.

Master's Thesis:  No more than eight hours of credit in Economics 691 (Research) may be earned in preparing a thesis. The Master's thesis is designed to develop the student's professional research competence and is considered to be an important part of the student's training and education.

Non-Thesis Option

Course Work: A total of 36 hours of credit are required; a minimum of eighteen hours from economics electives.

Please consult the Graduate Catalog, or the Graduate Handbook on the Office of Graduate Studies web site, http://ogs.tamu.edu, for other requirements for the M.S. degree.