Master of Science in Economics
In the Department of Economics, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
www.class.csupomona.edu/ec/home.htm
Lynda Rush, Chair
Carsten Lange, Graduate Coordinator
The goals of the Master of Science program in Economics are: (1) the preparation of economists qualified for immediate employment by business and government; (2) the preparation of economists for research positions in fields such as public administration, labor organization, finance, insurance and marketing; (3) the preparation of teachers of economics at the secondary school and community college level; (4) the enhancing of the competence of those students who wish to pursue advanced graduate work in economics. Graduate study specialization may be elected in the following economic areas: financial, environmental and resources, and economic analysis.
Admission to the Program
An applicant for admission to this program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and satisfy university and departmental requirements for admission to graduate study. An applicant who holds a bachelor’s degree in a field other than economics or who does not meet admission criteria may apply for admission as a conditional graduate student. The conditions will be stated in writing at the time of admission and will specify the amount of time allowed to meet entrance conditions. Conditional students may not take 500- and 600-level courses until they have met the conditions of admission. They must receive a B or better in all conditional courses. Failure to meet this condition will result in automatic termination from the program. In undergraduate work, the applicant must have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better in economics courses and a grade point average of 2.7 overall. Admission to the graduate program in economics requires that the applicant be accepted by the Department of Economics.
Requirements
For the most recent list of requirements and deparment policies, please visit our graduate website.
Each student must take 17-24 units of required core courses and 8 units of graduate specialization courses for their chosen subplan/option.
A minimum of 45 quarter units is required for the Master of Science degree in Economics. Courses for the balance of the 45 quarter units are selected by the individual student in the area of interest or specialization with the advice and consent of appropriate faculty advisor(s).
No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be transferred from another graduate institution. No more than 13 units taken through Extended University may be used on a contract. No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be petitioned by an undergraduate student. A maximum of 8 units of elective coursese can be taken in disciplines outside the Economics Department with the advice and consent of the graduate coordinator. The lists of elective and specialization courses are provided below.
A total limit of 13 transfer, Extended University, and/or units petitioned for graduate credit may be included on a master’s contract. The stipulated time limit of 7 years applies to all of the above.
A maximum of two B minuses can be listed for core courses on the graduate contract.
A maximum of 16 units may be taken in approved upper-division 400-level courses. A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained in all upper-division undergraduate and all graduate work. The minimum acceptable grade for each core course is a B- (2.7). No course credit will be allowed if a student earns a C- or below in a class. 400-level courses are not acceptable for a contract when equivalent graduate courses are offered, or if a student has taken the class as an undergraduate.
The Graduation Writing Test (GWT) must be passed prior to Advancement to Candidacy.
After completion of 13 units, students must have on file an approved “Program for the Master of Science Degree in Economics.”
To attain Advancement to Candidacy for the degree, each student shall indicate in writing the decision as to the manner of fulfilling the terminal requirement. The candidate will satisfy the culminating experience with a thesis, a series of comprehensive examinations, or a research practicum (EC 692 and EC 693 ).
The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the quarter of graduation.
Curriculum
The Department of Economics offers the Master of Science degree in Economics with the following subplans. All options require a field of specialization.
- Financial Economics
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- Economic Analysis
The Financial Economics Subplan provides students with a background that leads to opportunities in the private sector financial and non-financial institutions, government regulatory agencies, and research institutes. This subplan integrates extensive campus-wide resources and provides an interdisciplinary focus.
The Environmental and Natural Resource Subplan utilizes campus-wide resources to provide students with a program unique to Cal Poly Pomona and the Southern California Region. Environmental and natural resource economics is a growing research area. In recent years, Cal Poly Pomona started Landlab and has a research agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The Economic Analysis Subplan emphasizes analytic techniques and methods (both quantitative and qualitative) with applications to various specialized areas. This subplan prepares students to pursue Ph.D. work in economics or to hold research, administrative, and teaching positions in the public and private sectors.
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