Offered by: College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, Economics Department
The curriculum matrix for the degree program may be found here. The curriculum matrix is the alignment of courses (curriculum) with the desired goals and student learning outcomes of the program. It shows what is taught and how these outcomes are achieved through the completion of the degree program.
Master of Science in Economics
In the Department of Economics, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
class.cpp.edu/ec/
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.
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. The department offers preparation courses for Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics to prepare students for the rigor of the program (e.g., for applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than economics). These courses are prerequisites for the related major required courses. Preparation courses can be waived by the graduate coordinator, if a student shows prior to admission that s/he is already well prepared in these fields. 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.
Graduate Conditionally Classified
A person may be admitted to a graduate degree or credential program in this category if, in the opinion of appropriate campus authority, he/she can remedy deficiencies by additional coursework but otherwise satisfies all other university requirements for admission. All prerequisites must be specified by the admitting department at the time of student admission. Academic departments are responsible for tracking conditionally admitted students and must report their academic progress to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Graduate Studies Office via a memo on a term basis. Students admitted conditionally will not be allowed to concurrently register for graduate courses that are required for the completion of their projected graduate or professional program. A conditionally admitted student’s ability to obtain financial aid is severely limited until all deficiencies have been resolved, and unconditional status is granted by the university. Conditional admission does not guarantee unconditional admission to a program.
Requirements
For the most recent list of requirements and department policies, please visit our graduate website.
Each student must take 12 units of major required courses, 6 units of graduate 6600-level elective courses, and the culminating experience.
A minimum of 36 units is required for the Master of Science degree in Economics. Courses for the balance of the 36 units are selected by the individual student in the area of interest or specialization with the advice and consent of the graduate coordinator. The lists of elective courses are provided below.
No more than 9 units of acceptable graduate credit may be transferred from another graduate institution. No more than 9 units taken through Extended University may be used on a contract. No more than 9 units of acceptable graduate credit may be petitioned by an undergraduate student. A maximum of 6 units of elective courses can be taken in disciplines outside the Economics Department with the advice and consent of the graduate coordinator.
A total limit of 9 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 major required courses on the graduate contract.
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 major required course is a B- (2.7). No course credit will be allowed if a student earns a C- or below in a class.
A total of 12 units of 4000-level or 5001-5003 economics courses may be listed as electives on a graduate contract with the approval of the graduate coordinator. 4000-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.
The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the quarter of graduation.
Return to: