The M.A. program in economics is designed to train students in the quantitative and applied economic skills that will best enhance their future employment opportunities in the private and public sectors, or their pursuit of Ph.D. studies in economics or related fields.

The Emphasis of The Program

Our MA program emphasizes extensive training in mathematical and quantitative analysis, including the provision of substantial exposure to econometrics and forecasting, working with large and diverse data sets, and a wide range of statistical software. This gives students the applied skills that employers demand, provides those pursuing advanced degrees an edge in gaining admission to top-flight Ph.D. programs - and enhances the likelihood of the student's ultimate success.

Evidence of our success in this area can be seen in part through the placements of our students. In recent years, a number of our graduates have gone on to top-ranked Ph.D. programs including Harvard, Stanford, UC-San Diego, Illinois, Michigan State, and University of North Carolina. Others have gone to work as economists in various federal, state, and local government offices. Most of our graduates move into the private sector, working as economists or quantitative analysts for local, national and multinational corporations.

The program offers a great deal of flexibility vis-à-vis the student's career goals. In addition to courses in economics, students have the option (with graduate advisor approval) of taking mathematical and quantitative courses in the Department of Mathematics and graduate courses in the College of Business and Administration. Moreover, the program can be completed in as few as three semesters if the student enrolls in the fall semester.

Program Duration

The Economics M.A. can be completed in as few as three semesters by students who begin the program in the fall, although students who are working full time typically take four or five semesters to complete the program. The dual-degree program in Economics and Finance requires a minimum of five semesters. The Department typically offers a small number of courses during the summer term, which can speed completion of the program.

Requirements for the MA Degree

The department's M.A. program offers a cohesive set of courses that integrate quantitative analysis throughout the curriculum while simultaneously exposing the student to the application of this analysis in a variety of contexts. The requirements for the degree (30 credit hours) are as follows:

Core Requirements (21 credit hours)

Students must receive a grade of 2.7 (B-) or better in all of the above core courses. No more than 3 hours can be taken as independent study. The core courses are:

Mathematical Economics (ECON 5803)   Microeconomics Theory (ECON 5073)   Macroeconomics Theory (ECON 5083)   Econometrics I (ECON 5813)   Econometrics II (ECON 5823)   Seminar in Applied Economics (ECON 6053, 6054)1   Research Seminar (ECON 6073)2

¹The "Seminar in Applied Economics" (ECON 6053, 6054) are 8-week 1.5 credit modules, two of which are offered each semester.  These courses expose students to economic literature employing quantitative analysis within the fields being covered in the modules. Modules will include, for example, labor economics, public finance, monetary economics, and economic development. The students will be required to take two of these 8-week modules as part of the core; up to two additional modules can be taken for elective credit.

²The "Research Seminar" (ECON 6073) allows the student to undertake independent empirical research project under the guidance of department professors, who serve as mentors. This seminar replaces the traditional Masters thesis option and is intended to guide students through the process of conducting independent research and preparing a Masters paper.

Electives (9 credit hours)

Students work out elective courses with the graduate schedule advisor and can choose from a wide array of courses inside and outside of the department, depending on the student's interests and goals.  Electives include:

Econometrics and Forecasting   Economic Theory   Statistics   International Economics   Development Economics   Public Finance   Labor Economics   Money and Banking   Business Economics   Finance   Mathematics

Dual Degree in Economics and Finance

For students interested in combining the quantitative skills of an economics degree with the specific applications of a business degree, we offer an M.A. Economics/M.S. Finance dual degree . This 42 credit-hour program is offered jointly with the Graduate School of Business.  It is a "dual" degree, meaning that students who complete the program earn two Masters degrees: an M.A. in economics and a M.S. in finance.  Students must be admitted separately to both the M.A. program in Economics and M.S. program in Finance .  Students may apply to economics program first, and then to the Finance program at the end of their first semester or vice versa.  Students may also apply to both programs at the same time.  Further information about this program can be obtained from either the Department of Economics or the Graduate School of Business.

The dual degree program is intended to create highly-skilled research professionals with considerable econometric skill as well as familiarity with their chosen financial institutions. Given the similarity in course work within the two programs there can be considerable time savings for the student.  Essentially the program allows students to complete the two programs that separately would require 60 hours of coursework with 42 hours of combined coursework.

List of 14 courses that satisfy the requirement for both degrees:

Core Courses:

Microeconomics Theory (Econ 5073) - 3 hrs.   Macroeconomic Theory (Econ 5083) - 3 hrs.   Mathematical Economics (Econ 5803) - 3 hrs.   Econometrics I (Econ 5813) - 3 hrs.   Econometrics II (Econ 5823) - 3 hrs.   Research Seminar (Econ 6073) - 3 hrs.   Financial Management (Busn 6640) - 3 hrs.   Macro and Financial Mrkts (Fnce 6300) - 3 hrs.   Investment Man. Analysis (Fnce 6330) - 3 hrs.

Electives:

Four 6000 level Finance elective courses - 12 hrs.   One 5000 level or above Econ. elective course -3hrs

Admission Requirements

To qualify for regular admission a student must:

1. Meet all general requirements of the Graduate School      (including a 2.50 undergraduate grade-point average).   2. Submit three letters of recommendation.   3. Submit two copies of official transcripts from       all colleges attended.   4. Have completed 15 credit hours of undergraduate      economics including intermediate microeconomic theory      and intermediate macroeconomic theory.   5. Have completed courses in calculus and statistics      (variations to be discussed with the graduate advisor).   6. Submit acceptable GRE scores.*   7. International students must submit TOEFL scores.

*All applicants, foreign and domestic, must submit GRE scores regardless of prior degrees or coursework.  There is not a minimum GRE cutoff score. GRE scores are used in conjunction with other indicators of academic success at the masters level. Applicants must show strong evidence of quantitative skill either through high grades in math and statistics courses, a high quant score on the GRE, or both.

How to Apply:

Official Application Deadline:

   The application deadline for fall admission is June 1.
   The application deadline of spring admission is November 1.

The Department of Economics accepts late applications after these official deadlines.  However, there is no guarantee that a late application will be processed in time for the start of the semester.  Students are encouraged to apply well before the application deadline. 

·  Domestic students should complete the on-line application here.

All supporting documents for domestic applications should be sent to the Office of Admissions:

University of Colorado Denver
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 167
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

You are not required to submit all of your application material at once.  Your application will be held at the Office of Admissions until it is complete.  Questions about completing your application, paying the application fee, submitting GRE scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation should be directed to the Office of Admissions.  Once your application is complete, the Office of Admissions will forward it to the Department of Economics for an admissions decision.

·  International students should follow the instructions on the International
   Admissions web site here.

All supporting documents for international applications should be sent to International Admissions:

University of Colorado Denver
International Admissions
Campus Box 185
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
USA

You are not required to submit all of your application material at once.  Your application will be held at the International Admissions office until it is complete.  Questions about completing your application, paying the application fee, submitting GRE scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation should be directed to the International Admissions office.  Questions about TOEFL requirements and student visas should also be directed to the International Admissions office.  Once your application is complete, the International Admissions office will forward it to the Department of Economics for an admissions decision.

Have a question?

One of the following contacts will be happy to help.

   University Contacts:

Domestic students with questions about completing the on-line application, paying the application fee, submitting GRE scores, transcripts, and letters or recommendation should contact:

   Office of Admissions
   Campus Box 167
   P.O. Box 173364
   Denver, CO 80217-3364
   303-556-2704
   FAX 303-556-4838
   admissions@ucdenver.edu
   http://www.cudenver.edu/Admissions/Graduate Admissions/Pages

International students with questions about completing the International Application form, paying the application fee, TOEFL requirements, submitting GRE scores, TOEFL scores, transcripts, and letters or recommendation should contact:

   International Admissions
   Campus Box 185
   P.O. Box 173364
   Denver, CO 80217-3364
   USA
   international@ucdenver.edu
   http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/InternationalAdmissions

Students with questions about tuition and fees should contact:

   Bursar’s Office
   bursar@ucdenver.edu
   303-556-2710
   http://www.cudenver.edu/Admissions/Bursar/Pages

Students with questions about financial aid should contact:

   Financial Aid office
   financialaid@ucdenver.edu
   303-556-2886
   http://www.cudenver.edu/Admissions/Financial Aid/Pages

   Department of Economics Contacts:

Student with questions about prerequisite courses and other requirements for admission to the economic MA program should contact:

   Brian Duncan (admissions advisor)
   brian.duncan@ucdenver.edu
   303-556-6763

Students with questions about course substitutions, transfer credit, and requirements for graduation should contact:

   Dan Rees (schedule advisor)
   daniel.rees@ucdenver.edu
   303-556-3348

MA Program Facts:
  · The MA program admits 25 to
     35 students each fall, and 5 to
     10 students each spring.

  · The MA degree is a 30 credit
     hour program, which can be
     completed in as little as three
     semester for fall admits.  Part-
     time students may take one
     or two courses at a time.

  · All of the core courses, and the
    majority of elective courses, are
    offered after 4:00 pm.  Many of
    our MA students work off campus.

  · Approximately half of our MA
    students are foreign students,
    including many from China,
    Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, South
    Korea, Russia, and elsewhere. 

  · The MA program provides
     excellent training for foreign and
     domestic students who wish to
     go on to a Ph.D. program.

Econ Course Schedule:
  (fall 07 | spring 08 | summer 07)
   Note: MA courses have course
   numbers in the 5000s and 6000s.

Our recent graduates have been accepted at some of the top Ph.D. program, policy schools, and law schools,  including:

     Arizona State University
     Brown University (3)
     Cornell University (6)
     Bonn University (2)
     Michigan State University
     Ohio State University
     Rice
     Rochester
     Syracuse University (2)
     West Virginia University (3)
     DU Law School
     Columbia Law
     U. of Chicago Law School
     U. of Calif., Santa Barbara (2)
     U. of Calif., Davis
     U. of Colorado, Boulder (5)
     U. of Florida (2)
     U. of Arizona
     U. of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill
     U. of California, San Diego
     U. of N. Carolina, Greensboro
     U. of Texas - Austin
     U. of Virginia (2)
     U. of Washington
     Harvard (2)

Many of our graduates go on the job market after graduation. Many are hired by State and Federal agencies, banks and financial institutions, private sector employers, and international employers.  Recent MA graduates have found jobs at:

     State & Federal Government:
       Dept of Housing and Urban
          Dev. (2)
       Dept of the Interior
       U.S. Department of Labor
       U.S. Bankruptcy Court
       US AID
       CO State Governors Office
       CO Dept of Health Care Policy
           and Financing (5)
       CO Dept. Labor and
           Employment
        Arapahoe Community College
        Northwestern University
        Georgia State University
        UCD Accounting Office

     Banks / Financial Institutions:
        Wells Fargo
        INVESCO Funds Group (2)
        Citibank
        First National Bank
        Aurora Loan Services
        Evergreen National Bank
        Great-West Life
        SBER BANK

     Private Sector:
        Kaiser
        Sprint
        CB Richard Ellis
        Coca-Cola Co.
        BBC Research & Consulting
        FENIX Consulting
        Integrated Utilities Group
        The Piton Foundation
        Walter Scott & Partners

     International:
        Bank of Mongolia
        Capital Market Board of 
             Turkey
        Central Bank of Turkey
        Indonesian Ministry of
             Finance
        Ministry of Nat. Resources
             and the Envt.
        Ministry of Planning
        Ministry of Social Protection
        National Planning Department
        The Bank of Korea

What our job market students
have to say about the MA program in economics:
 
   “I would not have this job had I
    not attended USDHSC for my
    Masters degree.”

   “All the faculty members engage
    in active research and they are
    always available.”

   “The faculty are friendly and
    willing to spend a lot of time
    working with the graduate
    students.”

   “Being able to use statistical
    software has given me an
    advantage.”

   “When I began the program my
    ability to attack problems would
    be considered low. The MA
    program gave me the confidence
    and ability to understand and
    solve problems in the work force,
    even outside economic matter.
    My overall impressions were
    great.”

   “I believe that there isn't a faculty
    member in the Economics
    department at UCD that isn't
    committed to the success of the
    students in the program.”

   “I liked and enjoyed the
    program... and Colorado... I
    think I benefited a lot.”

   “Helped me make contacts in the
    Denver area and gave me the
    tools I needed to succeed in my
    field.”

   “While I wasn't necessarily the top
    of the class in all my classes and
    struggled with several of them,
    the faculty were always supportive
    and available to answer
    questions to help students
    succeed and stay motivated.”

What our Ph.D. bound students have to say about the MA program in economics:
 
   “Being an RA was a huge head
    start for doing research.”

   “I was able to work closely with
    faculty on research projects. This
    has helped me to immediately
    jump into research with faculty in
    my PhD program.”

   “Working as an RA helped me a
    lot.”

   “I was not thinking of pursuing a
    Ph.D. at the time I entered the
    program. By the time I finished, I
    was very passionate about
    economics and wanted to study
    further. The program helped
    shape my future significantly.”

   “The MA in Economics is what
    helped me in gaining access to
    PhD program.”

   “Earning my MA at UCDHSC was
    very beneficial for preparing me
    for the PhD program.”

   “Generally, gaining the MA in
    Economics from U.S. university is
    what helped me in gaining access
    to PhD program.”

What advice our MA graduates would give to someone who is considering applying to the MA program in economics:

   “I can say that I am almost sure
    that they will enjoy the program
    and life in DENVER, they should
    study closer with professors and
    staff to take more from the
    program.”

   “Have a good grasp of Calculus I;
    it would help much to have a
    grasp of linear algebra.”

   “I had no idea what I was getting
    myself into when I enrolled in the
    MA program. It is a very
    challenging program, but also
    very rewarding. I would tell
    incoming students to think of the
    MA program as a full time job.
    Expect to work at least 30 or 40
    hours per week on your
    coursework. It’s a difficult
    program, but if it were easy, then
    I guess everyone would to it.”

   “If they are planning on applying
    to a Ph.D. program afterwards, I
    would stress the importance of
    taking as much math and
    statistics as possible while
    earning their master's degree.
    Overall, I would recommend the
    UCD program for terminal
    masters student and future Ph.D.
    candidates since the faculty and
    staff are friendly and always
    willing to help out their students.”

   “Get to know the Professors and
    brush up on math skills before
    starting the program.”

   “I will say that the program is very
    useful specially for someone
    whose background on working
    with data is not very strong. Also,
    I will say that the program is
    great on teaching how to do
    research and put a paper
    together.”

   “Go, you will have an
    unforgettable year!”

   “That it is an excellent education,
    especially for those interested in
    obtaining a PhD in Economics but
    do not feel ready to apply to PhD
    programs.”

   “I would strongly recommend the
    program. I would suggest them
    to take as many applied courses
    as possible and try to get
    involved with the research
    projects conducted by the
    professors there. I think there is
    a lot to be learned from these
    assistantship experiences.”

   “I would tell students that the
    Masters program is a great place
    to prepare for a Ph.D. program. I
    had no idea what graduate level
    economics was before I enrolled
    in the Masters program. I would
    advise students to take lots of
    extra math courses.”

   “Do not just try to take the
    required courses and graduate,
    work with a professor in your field
    of interest, especially as an RA,
    take advanced math classes.”

   “Having worked as an RA for the
    professors and learned statistical
    software packages like SAS at
    UCDHSC was a very valuable
    asset in the Ph.D. program. I
    believe that learning as much
    practical skills as possible is very
    essential for success at the Ph.D.
    program.”