Economics (AM)
Program Code: G-ECON-AM
Degree Designation: Master of Arts
Department: Economics Department
Website: econ.duke.edu/masters-programs/degree-programs/ma-econ
Program Summary
The MA in Economics is designed to give students a quantitative approach to economics with the flexibility to tailor the degree to fit their future goals. This program offers comprehensive instruction in a wide range of areas within the discipline, including computational economics, economic analysis, and financial economics.
Students preparing to enter these programs will find an undergraduate background in mathematics, engineering, computer science, statistics, or economics to be very helpful.
Academic Requirements
The MA program requires a minimum of 30 graded course credits in economics and related fields, to include a minimum of 15 credits in economics. Students’ course selections are based on their specific interests and on recommendations made by their academic advisors in order to meet their longer-run goals. Courses offered through The Graduate School, listed as “GS” courses, do not count toward the 30-course credit requirement.
All MA students must complete a minimum of two courses (6.0 course credits) in microeconomics and macroeconomics from the following list of courses: ECON 601, 602, 605, 606, 620, 624, 652, 664, 701, 702, 705, 706, or approved substitutes. They also are required to complete a minimum of one course (3.0 course credits) in econometrics from the following list of courses: ECON 608, 612, 613, 623, 672, 703, 707, or approved substitutes. At least one course (3.0 course credits) must be an approved capstone, which cannot be used to fulfill any of the previous requirements. Students are required to receive a B grade or better in this course.
The additional 18 credits required can be a combination of courses in economics, computer science, mathematics, and statistics at the 500 level or higher. Limitations to courses which count for credit toward the degree include: students may take either ECON 673/MATH 581 or ECON 671, but not both; students may take either ECON 674/MATH 582 or ECON 678, but not both; and MATH 712 and MATH 719 will not be accepted without previous approval from the MA Director. Undergraduate courses (499 or lower) do not count toward the MA degree or a student’s GPA. A graduate-level course paired with an undergraduate-level course may count toward the MA degree and a student’s GPA only if the graduate-level version has a separate, more rigorous syllabus for graduate students. The student may need advance approval from the director of MA studies for some of these courses. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that this is the case before enrolling in any paired courses. At least five courses (15.0 course credits) must be in economics. This includes the courses mentioned above. Any course substitutions must be approved by the director of MA studies.
MA students must pass a final exam administered by their committee covering a portfolio of learning and research activities carried out during their master’s studies. The portfolio must include the following items: all student (final) papers and slides from oral or written presentations as applicable; when applicable, the research output from those courses; a capstone course paper in economics, describing a mature project with research content; and an updated résumé/CV. The portfolio must include at least one substantial research paper, which is typically from a capstone course but can be from any course which counts towards the degree and in which the student earns a grade of B or better.