Students
Undergraduates
- Introduction
- Special Degree Requirements
- Suggested Course of Study
- Requirements for a Minor
- Teacher Preparation
- Economics Major Check List
- Scholarships
Graduates
Introduction
Economics Department Graduate Program
Master of Arts Degree
For additional departmental information, contact:
Dr. Jeffrey Bookwalter, (406) 243-4667, jeff.bookwalter@mso.umt.edu
Economics Department staff, (406) 243-2925, econ@mso.umt.edu
Graduate School at www.umt.edu/grad
The Department of Economics offers a two-year program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Economics. The first year consists of course work and the second year primarily of writing a thesis. The program is purposely small so that students can be given individualized attention by the faculty in both coursework and research projects.
Our graduate program has an empirical, applied public policy focus. Our graduate program requires a thesis; it is not primarily or exclusively built around course work. The core course work focuses on theoretical and empirical tools: micro- and macroeconomic theory and econometrics. The heart of each student’s program is the design and completion of an empirically oriented thesis. This allows students to develop and carry out a “real world” research project in which they have to integrate economic theory, empirical data, and quantitative methods while accounting for existing social and political institutions. We feel that this experience gives our graduates confidence that they have the necessary practical tools to bring to bear in the private, NGO, or government sector.
The objectives of the graduate program are based upon the three general types of students who enter our program: One type of student enters with the goal of preparing for a Ph.D. program in economics. For these students our objective is to provide a solid grounding in economic theory, solidify their math background, which is crucial for success in an Economics Ph.D. program, and expose them to the research methods that will eventually help them in their dissertation. We have been quite successful in placing our students in Ph.D. programs.
The second type of student who enters our program seeks preparation for a government or private sector job as an economist. An undergraduate degree does not generally allow students to enter a firm or government position as an economist. Rather, they need the technical training of a masters program (or in some cases a Ph.D. program). For these students our objectives are to give them a solid grounding in economic theory, to give them more exposure and depth in economic fields and to expand their writing and empirical skills. We have a long tradition of success in this area.
The third type of student who enters our program is not sure whether or not to pursue economics along either of the above paths. Our objective for these students is to expose them to what economics is at the graduate level and to allow them to explore areas of interest in preparation for their future path.