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    Dec 14, 2024  
American University Catalog 2015-2016 
    
American University Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Economics (MA)


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Admission to the Program


Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study. Admission is based on the academic record and two letters of recommendation. In general, a B+ average in undergraduate or previous graduate coursework is required. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is required. Admission is not automatic for students who qualify and may be limited by programmatic constraints.

A student whose undergraduate background does not meet the standards for admission may be considered for admission after completing 12 credit hours of approved graduate coursework in nondegree status with a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale). ECON-600 , ECON-601 , and ECON-605  must be taken within these 12 hours.

An online track in applied economics (see requirements below) will be available beginning May 2014. Switching between the online applied economics and the other MA tracks is not permitted. For more information on this program, please contact the Economics Department at econ@american.edu.

Degree Requirements


  • 30-36 credit hours of approved graduate coursework; including 9 credit hours of core courses in economic theory, 6 credit hours of econometrics, and 15-21 credit hours of other required courses or electives
    • Prerequisite credit (including ECON-603 ) does not count toward the degree. All courses must be taken for grades (the pass/fail option is not permitted). No more than 3 credit hours of ECON-691  may be taken.
    • All courses must be approved by the student’s advisor and fit into a coherent educational program developed by the student in consultation with the advisor.
  • ECON-600  and ECON-601  completed with grades of B- or better.
  • Tracks: General, Applied Economics, Development Economics, Financial Economic Policy, or Gender Analysis in Economics.

Course Requirements


Prerequisite Courses


 Note: Waiver of these prerequisites may be granted for qualified persons with comparable prior education or experience.

Core (15 credit hours)


Capstone Experience (3 credits)


Tracks (12-18 credit hours)


Complete 12-18 credit hours of approved graduate coursework in one of the following tracks:

General (12 credit hours)


  • 12 additional credit hours of approved graduate coursework in economics; 3 credit hours may be taken outside the Economics Department with the advisor’s approval.

Applied Economics (12 credit hours)


Additional Economics Courses at the 500 Level and Above

  • 12 additional credit hours of graduate coursework in economics at the 500-level and above, as approved by the program director

Development Economics (18 credit hours)


Financial Economic Policy (18 credit hours)


Gender Analysis in Economics (18 credit hours)


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