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The request to revise the Concentrations in the MS Economics Degree

Memo Date: 
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
To: 
Belk College of Business
From: 
Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: April 5, 2013
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Spring 2014

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs.  Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

2012-2013 Graduate Catalog: Master of Science in Economics

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Economics degree program features a curriculum that is flexible yet thorough in its approach to theoretical training and applied coursework.  The program offers concentrations in Quantitative Methods in Economics, Applied Economic Analysis, Financial Management, and Quantitative Financial Economics Economics and in Economics/Finance.  Students completing this program are prepared for analytical and management positions that require the integration of economic analysis and advanced quantitative methods.  Employment opportunities for economists with a master’s degree exist in both the public and private sectors.  In addition, students with a master’s degree may choose to pursue additional graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in Economics or in Finance.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for graduate study in Economics:

  1. Undergraduate coursework that includes: Calculus, Econometrics (or equivalent), Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory, Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, and Mathematical Economics. (Students missing some of these courses can be admitted conditionally.)
  1. A satisfactory score on the aptitude portions of the Graduate Record Examination.  The Graduate Management Aptitude Test may be substituted for the GRE with the permission of the program coordinator.

 

Degree Requirements

The program leading to the Master of Science degree in Economics requires at least 30 hours of graduate credit, with a maximum of six hours of transfer credit accepted from an accredited institution.  (Credit applied toward an awarded graduate degree will not be accepted as transfer credit.)  Courses taken at other accredited institutions after enrollment may receive residence credit if approved by the department and the Dean of the Graduate School.  All credit hours applied toward the degree must be in courses open only to graduate students.  No more than two C’s are permitted in the program and at least 18 semester hours must be completed before admission to candidacy.  A GPA of at least 3.0 is required to graduate.  The program is organized into three curriculum components:

  1. a core curriculum in economic theory and quantitative methods
  2. a concentration to be selected from one of the two four described below
  3. a research project or thesis

 

Admission to Candidacy Requirements

An Admission to Candidacy form listing graduate-level courses that apply to the degree must be submitted to the program coordinator one month prior to the semester in which the student plans to complete the coursework for the degree.

Assistantships

A number of graduate assistantships are available each year.  To be fully competitive, applications must be submitted by March 15.  Contact the coordinator for further information. 

Core Courses

  • ECON 6201  Advanced Macroeconomic Theory (3)
  • ECON 6202  Advanced Microeconomic Theory (3)
  • ECON 6112  Graduate Econometrics (3)
  • ECON 6218  Advanced Business and Economic Forecasting (3)

In addition, students who choose to complete a thesis must successfully complete six hours of ECON 6999 (Master’s Thesis), while students enrolled in the non-thesis option must complete ECON 6901 and ECON 6902 (Research Methods I and Research Methods II).

Concentrations

1) EconomicsQuantitative Methods in Economics

The Economics Concentration provides students with the opportunity to acquire specialized theoretical skills related to their areas of interest and expertise.  This concentration can be completed in one full year of study.

Two options are available in this concentration: (a) the Quantitative Methods in Economics Option and (b) the Individualized Study Option.

a) Quantitative Methods in Economics Option

The Quantitative Methods in Economics Option concentration is designed for students who want to study quantitative methods in detail.  It is an ideal option for those students interested in applying quantitative modeling and methods for economic analysis in their chosen field or pursuing an Economics Ph.D. after completion of the M.S. in Economics program.  This option concentration can be completed in one and a half years of study.

Students in this option concentration must complete the core curriculum for the M.S. in Economics and the thesis or research project.  In addition, they must complete:

  • ECON 6217  Advanced Microeconometrics
  • ECON 6219  Financial Econometrics

And two of the following:

  • ECON 6203  Financial Economic Theory
  • ECON 6206  Game Theory and Experiments
  • ECON 6235  Monetary and Financial Theory
  • ECON 6257  Applied Computational Economics

OR a combination of the above courses and approved electives that total 6 credit hours

b2) Individualized StudyApplied Economic Analysis Option

The Individualized Study Applied Economic Analysis Option concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue a specialized course of study.  This option concentration can be completed in one full year of study if the student chooses the thesis option.

Students in the Applied Economic Analysisthis  this option concentration must complete the core curriculum for the M.S. in Economics and the thesis or research project.  In addition, they must complete 12 hours of electives chosen from the fields of macroeconomics and monetary policy, finance and banking, environmental economics, international trade and international finance, economic modeling and simulation, urban economics, public finance and cost/benefit analysis, or economic and business forecasting.  The program also permits the development of individualized specializations in areas that are complementary to economic theory and analysis.

2) Economics/Finance

There are two options available in the Economics/Finance Concentration:  (A.) the Financial Management Option and (B.) the Quantitative Finance Option.  

a3) Financial Management Option

The Financial Management Option concentration is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in corporate finance or financial planning.  This option concentration can be completed in one full year of study.

Students in this option concentration must complete the core curriculum for the M.S. in Economics and the thesis or research project. In addition, they must complete:

  • FINN 6152  Financial Management (3)
  • FINN 6153  Investment Management (3)
  • FINN 6157  Advanced Corporate Finance (3)

And one of the following:

  • FINN 6155   Multinational Financial Management (3)
  • ECON 6235  Monetary and Financial Theory (3)
  • OR an Approved Elective

 

b4) Quantitative Financiale Economics Option

The Quantitative  Financial Economicsce Option concentration is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in portfolio management or financial risk management.  The Quantitative Financial Economicse Option concentration can also provide an excellent foundation for students who wish to pursue additional graduate study leading to a doctoral degree in Finance.  This option can be completed in one and a half years. 

Students in this option concentration must complete the core curriculum for the M.S. in Economics and the thesis or research project. In addition, they must complete:

  • ECON 6203  Financial Economic Theory (3)
  • ECON 6219  Financial Econometrics (3)
  • FINN 6210  Derivatives I: Financial Elements of Derivatives (3)

And one of the following:

  • FINN 6211  Risk Management and Fixed Income Derivatives (3)
  • ECON 6235  Monetary and Financial Theory (3)
  • OR an Approved Elective

Minors

The Department of Economics also participates in the program leading to an interdisciplinary graduate minor in Operations Research.  See Mathematics and Statistics heading in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences section of this Catalog for complete information and program requirements.

Advising

Prior to, or concurrent with, the first semester of study, each student will be expected to complete a program of study listing each class the student expects to take as a part of the program.  The program of study requires the approval of the coordinator.

Thesis

Students who choose the thesis track must successfully complete six hours of ECON 6999 (Master’s Thesis).  The thesis must be written and defended within six calendar years after admission into the M.S. in Economics program.  The Thesis Committee, which must be approved by the program coordinator, will consist of a Chair and at least two other faculty members.  ECON 6999 is graded on an A, B, C, or U basis.    

Application for Degree

Each student should make application for his/her degree by completing the online Application for Degree through Banner Self Service no later than the filing date specified in the University Academic Calendar.

Tuition Waivers

A limited number of in-state and out-of-state tuition waivers are made available each year.  These waivers are competitively awarded using the same application required for assistantships.

Program Certifications/Accreditations

The Belk College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Economics International Programs

The Belk College of Business in partnership with Copenhagen Business School (CBS) offers a dual degree program in which a student may earn the Belk College M.S. in Economics with a concentration in Economics/FinanceQuantitative Financial Economics and an M.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Applied Economics and Finance from CBS.  This is a full-time program in which students spend one year at UNC Charlotte and one year at CBS.  All courses are taught in English.  Students interested in more information about this program should contact the coordinator of the M.S. in Economics program.