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Special Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts Program in Economics

The Master of Arts Program in Economics requires a thesis and has a two-fold objective: (1) to train students in the use of advanced theoretical and empirical tools of economic analysis relevant to issues of a complex, modern economy. This work provides the foundation for both further graduate study and a problem solving orientation for research; (2) to help meet the demands for competent professional economists at the master's level in industry, commerce, government, and education. Class examples and current faculty research emphasize applied problems and interests. Current faculty research concerning Montana problems include environmental quality, public utility regulation, governmental expenditures and finance, and resource development. These research areas have wide applicability to Northwest regional and national policy problems.

Courses cover general economic theory, environmental economics, monetary theory, international trade, growth and development, public finance, labor economics, regional and urban economics, comparative economic systems and econometrics. Graduate theory and econometrics classes are small and emphasize individual attention to students' research interests and career development needs.

To be admitted to the program, a student should possess a sound undergraduate background, likely aptitude for graduate work of an applied nature, and a satisfactory knowledge of calculus and intermediate level microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. A student need not be an undergraduate economics major. The specific departmental requirements for regular admittance to the graduate program are as follows:

  1. 3.0 (4.0=A) undergraduate grade point average.
  2. The Graduate Record Exam is required.
  3. A 3.0 average in intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics. This sequence, Econ 311 and 313, is described in the undergraduate catalog.
  4. Successful completion of at least one calculus class.

A student who is deficient in one or more of the above criteria, particularly in the third, but who exhibits good prospects for successful performance in the program may be admitted on provisional graduate status. When an applicant has more substantial deficiencies but still has a reasonable chance for satisfactory graduate work, he may be recommended the option of enrolling in non-degree status to demonstrate suitability for admittance to the graduate program.

Any student who has not previously received credit in Econ 311 and 313, or the equivalent must take the missing courses before admittance to full graduate status.

Completed applications for admission to the program will be reviewed by the faculty graduate committee. Admission may occur any time prior to registration but you should apply at least two months prior to the term you expect to enter. Financial aid, usually in the form of teaching assistantships (TAs) is available on a competitive basis. Applications for TAs will be reviewed and awards made for the following academic year in mid-April. Priority in financial aid is given to students who have never received aid or those who have excelled in past assistantship duties.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit is required for the M.A. in economics including:

The above requirements constitute the minimum to be met by each student. A maximum of 10 graduate credits earned in Econ 599 may be counted toward the 30 hour minimum, although the student may find it desirable to include in his/her program additional hours of graduate credit in this offering. Determination of the electives in the above requirements and any supplements to the program of study will be the mutual responsibility of the student and his/her advisor. Typically, these courses will provide background or analytical techniques useful to the empirical preparation of the student. A student who has received credit in econometrics as an undergraduate must complete a corresponding additional number of hours in electives.

Econ 311 and 313 may not be taken for graduate credit by graduate students majoring in economics. However, they remain available for graduate credit by students in other disciplines.

Econ 511, 513 and 560 form the core of the graduate economics curriculum. Econ 511, Graduate Microeconomics provide an extensive survey of neoclassical theory. Prerequisites are Econ 311 and calculus. Econ 513, Macroeconomics provides a similar survey of aggregate economic analysis. Prerequisites are calculus and Econ 313. Econ 560, Advanced Econometrics, covers the building of economic models for empirical testing and thus provides the basis for the applied nature of the program. To obtain the M.A. in Economics, a student must demonstrate proficiency in not only applied economics but also the underlying economic theory. The final examinations in Econ 511 and 513 serve as the process of demonstrating the latter. The grade of B is the minimum passing grade in each. If a student fails the examination, he/she will be granted one additional opportunity to take the test. The course may but need not be repeated by such a student before retaking the exam.

The graduate school requires that half of all class work be at the 500 level or above. See the graduate school for details.

A student's thesis will be the primary test of his/her empirical skills. The student's final oral examination as prescribed by the Graduate School may include any aspect of his/her study and generally includes applied economic techniques, particularly as applied by the student's thesis.

The University also offers graduate programs in Environmental Studies, Geography, Forestry, Business, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Philosophy. Economics graduate students often take elective courses in these fields.

Courses for Undergraduates and Graduates

For Graduates