Master of Arts in Economics

Economics – MA4221

Department of Economics
Bentley Annex 349
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
duncanr1@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall only

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The program mission is to provide students with rigorous quantitative and analytical skills to find a career in the public or private sector or pursue a Ph.D. degree in economics. The program emphasizes practical applications of economic theory in a one-year program with small class sizes that allow students to work closely with each other and with faculty. Faculty support students in applying to job positions, Ph.D. programs, and internships. It is organized to provide students with analytical tools by which they can use to solve many economic problems existing in the real world. The program alsoprovides students with practical econometric skills that are popularly used in both private and public sectors. Courses focus on advanced quantitative methods (ranging from panel data models and difference-in-differences to the synthetic control method and forecasting techniques) using large databases in R and Stata. Funding opportunities are available on a competitive basis. The program also qualifies as an Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT).​

All academic requirements can be completed within 12 months, beginning in the fall semester and ending in August of the following year.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to apply

1. Critical thinking
   • Apply economic analysis to evaluate everyday problems and specific policy proposals
2. Quantitative reasoning skill
   • Understand how to use empirical evidence to evaluate an economic argument
   • Obtain or collect relevant data using specific research methods
   • Interpret statistical results
   • Perform appropriate statistical analysis of data
   • Develop deeper quantitative thinking skills
3. Problem-solving skills
   • Analyze problems that have clear solutions
   • Propose solutions for problems that do not have clear answers
4. Communication skills
   • Communicate effectively in written or spoken form about specific economic issues
   • Develop a well-organized written argument that states a hypothesis

Opportunities for Graduates

1. Research analyst: Research and analyze economic phenomena
2. Data analyst: Work with and analyze large economic datasets
3. Financial manager: Analyze economic aspects of a company or organization
4. Policy analyst: Analyze economic problems and recommend policies
5. College instructor: Instruct students in different areas of economics

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/economics/graduate/ma

Admission Requirements

Unconditional Admission

Students should ideally have some undergraduate training that includes courses in the social sciences, mathematics, and statistics. Ultimately, your undergraduate program must be approved by the department admissions committee before you begin graduate work.

A complete application requires:

• U.S. bachelor’s equivalent degree from an accredited degree-granting institution.
• The equivalent of a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a scale of 4.0 is required.
• Minimum requirement of English proficiency for international students: TOEFL 550 (or 80 on the iBT, or 6.5 or greater across on all bands of the IELTS). Test results of TOEFL 525 (or 70 on the iBT, or 6.0 or greater across on all bands of the IELTS) might also be acceptable, but the student will not be eligible for funding consideration. Please review information about Ohio University’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
• Official copies of all transcripts and graduation diploma and bachelor’s degree certificate are required in English and native language. These documents should be issued by the degree granting university.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Personal statement outlining career objectives
• A completed online application form
• GRE test results (optional)
• A writing sample (optional)

The application deadline is February 15. No separate form is required to apply for funding.

Conditional Admission

Domestic applicants whose GPA is marginally below 3.0 may be considered for admission, provided that their other credentials are satisfactory. They might be required to submit the test results of GRE (150 or better on verbal, 150 or better on quantitative, 3.0 or better on analytical). All other requirements for admission are the same as for unconditional admission.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in nine courses as follows, with no grade below a “C”: