The M.A. in Applied Economics is designed for students who seek careers in business, finance, or government as economists, forecasters, policy analysts, economic researchers, or managers with strong quantitative skills. The program is structured to develop the theoretical, quantitative, and statistical skills that are required to perform and interpret economic analyses on a wide range of policy-oriented issues. Excellent training is also provided for students who wish to enter the Ph.D. program at UNC Greensboro or to pursue additional graduate education at other institutions.

Course work for the 30-33 credit-hour degree combines core knowledge of economic theory and econometrics, specialized applied research methods, advanced electives, and a capstone seminar focused on the development of applied empirical research skills based on the integration of microeconomic theory and econometrics.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Microeconomic Theory.
  • Students will apply microeconomic theory to the analysis of economics issues.
• Macroeconomic Theory.
  • Students will apply macroeconomic theory to the analysis of economics issues.
• Econometrics.
  • Students will apply econometric procedures in the empirical analysis of economic issues.
• Prepare Data for Economic Analysis.
  • Manage, clean, and use data sets to construct descriptive, graphical, and statistical representations of economic phenomena.
  • Diagnose and identify data issues.

For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.

Admission to the program requires a completed baccalaureate degree with an earned cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher OR acceptable scores in the GRE or GMAT standardized tests OR the completion of one or more economics post-baccalaureate certificates awarded from UNC Greensboro.

Degree Program Requirements

Required: 30-33 credit hours

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Knowledge Requirement (12 credits)
ECO 641	Microeconomics I	4
ECO 643	Econometric Methods	4
ECO 646	Macroeconomics	4
Advanced Theory Requirement (6 credits)
ECO 625	Data Methods in Economics	3
ECO 631	Applied Policy Methods	3
Electives (12-15 credits)
Select four to five courses (12-15 credits) from the following: *		12-15
ECO 613	Directed Studies in Economics II
ECO 630	Introduction to Cost Effectiveness
ECO 637	Empirical Health Economics
ECO 657	Managerial Economics
ECO 664	Time Series and Forecasting
ECO 691	Economics Internship
ISM 645	Principles of Predictive Analytics
Capstone Experience Requirement
Complete an e-Portfolio of significant assignments and final projects
Total Credit Hours		30-33

*

Electives may be earned with 600- or 700-level economics courses or with graduate courses taken outside the department. Electives not listed above must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

e-Portfolio

As a requirement for graduation, each student must successfully complete an e-Portfolio of significant assignments and final projects. The e-Portfolio demonstrates a student's cumulative program knowledge and fulfills the capstone requirement of the program. This body of work can be shared with prospective employers to help students distinguish themselves in the job market. Students must receive approval of their e-Portfolio from the Director of Graduate Studies in order to meet the graduation requirement. 

A student may apply course work from a certificate program toward a graduate degree at UNC Greensboro with the approval of the department offering the degree and the Graduate School.

Accelerated B.A. or B.S. to M.A. in Applied Economics

Application and Admission

Qualified UNC Greensboro undergraduate students may apply for admission to the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) and the M.A. in Applied Economics program. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 based on at least 30 credits earned at UNC Greensboro is required. 

Applicants must have completed at least 60 credits and may not apply for admission to the AMP before the first semester of the junior year. All applicants must submit the Accelerated Bachelor's to Graduate Degree Program Petition to the Graduate School and must simultaneously apply for admission to the M.A. in Applied Economics (form is located within the online application to the M.A. in Applied Economics program).

Courses

Admitted students may apply 12 credits of graduate-level course work toward completion of both the undergraduate and graduate degree, provided that they earn a grade of B (3.0) or better in the course and fulfill graduate-level requirements. The graduate courses the student will take within the Accelerated Master's Program must be approved by the Graduate Program Director, must be specified on the Graduate Degree Program Petition, and must be chosen from among the following required courses in the M.A. in Applied Economics curriculum:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Select four courses (12 credits) from the following:		12
ECO 625	Data Methods in Economics
ECO 630	Introduction to Cost Effectiveness
ECO 631	Applied Policy Methods
ECO 637	Empirical Health Economics
ECO 657	Managerial Economics
ECO 664	Time Series and Forecasting
ISM 645	Principles of Predictive Analytics

Graduate courses counted for the Accelerated Master's Program should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Please consult with an undergraduate adviser to determine how the courses taken at the graduate level will meet requirements in the bachelor's degree program. All degree requirements for the M.A. in Applied Economics remain the same.