MA in Economics
This program is scheduled for discontinuation. Please see the MS in Quantitative Economics.
Total units required for MA: 30
Program Description
The Master of Arts program in Economics is designed to assist students in developing the analytical skills and reflective capacities required to think clearly and coherently about economic matters and to apply their skill and knowledge effectively to problem areas. The program seeks to prepare students for careers in business, government, and education where applied skills are appropriate. To this end, the Department offers coursework and supervised study in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and a number of other fields of interest.
In line with the applied emphasis of the graduate program, the Department maintains a relationship with both the California state government and many private organizations in the Sacramento area. Recent graduates have gone on to jobs in government at all levels as well as to careers in labor unions, banks, manufacturing corporations, and other private organizations.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in Economics requires:
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted;
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate Economics work;
- ECON 100A (Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory) or equivalent; and ECON 100B (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) or equivalent;
- ECON 141 (Introduction to Econometrics) or equivalent;
- MATH 26A (Calculus I) or equivalent; recommend MATH 26B (Calculus II) or equivalent;
- two letters of recommendation from undergraduate instructors;
- a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (this requirement applies only to students earning degrees abroad whose primary language is not English); and
- a baccalaureate degree.
Students not meeting the above requirements may be granted conditionally classified graduate status with permission of the Economics Department Graduate Committee, providing the applicant submits in writing the reasons why he/she desires graduate training and why the Committee should waive one or more of the above requirements. GRE scores are not required, but will be considered by the admissions committee if they are included with an application. Analytical writing GRE scores above 4.5 allow admitted students to waive the GWAR requirement. Students accepted on this basis may be required to complete a set of courses prior to beginning the Economics Graduate core, or to fulfill other conditions prior to approval for fully classified status. Failure to conform to this stipulation will result in the revocation of the conditionally classified status.
Admission Procedures
Applicants must complete a university application and also meet departmental requirements by the posted application deadline date for term applying. For more admission information and application deadlines, please visit http://www.csus.edu/gradstudies/. Admission based on the deadlines allows students to meet registration deadlines. Applications submitted after the above-mentioned deadlines will only be reviewed in the event that room for new students exists. All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following documents with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 215, (916) 278-6470:
- an online application for admission;
- two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State;
- TOEFL scores, if applicable.
In addition to the above documents, arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to the Economics Department. Any applicant not meeting the first three admission requirements as specified above should submit to the Department in writing his/her reasons for requesting a waiver of the admission requirements.
Approximately six weeks after receipt of all items listed above, a decision regarding admission will be mailed to the applicant.
Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree
Units required for the MA: 30
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
Advancement to Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy as soon as the graduate student has:
- successfully completed the following, and with a minimum grade of "B":
Course List Code Title Units ECON 141 Introduction to Econometrics 3 ECON 200A Advanced Macroeconomic Theory 3 ECON 200B Advanced Microeconomic Theory 3 - be enrolled, or have successfully completed ECON 200C;
- been recommended for advancement by the Graduate Committee; and
- take a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with the Economics Department Graduate Coordinator. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Program Requirements
The following cannot be used as part of the 30 units toward the master's degree:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 112 | European Economic History | 3 |
| ECON 120 | Economics and Environmental Degradation | 3 |
| ECON 181 | Economics of Racism | 3 |
| ECON 184 | Women and the Economy | 3 |
| ECON 189 | Economics at the Movies | 3 |
| ECON 195 | Economic Internship | 1 - 3 |
| ECON 198 | Tutoring in Economics | 1 - 3 |
| ECON 199 | Special Problems | 1 - 3 |
| ECON 204 | Business Economics | 3 |
All students are required to complete the core course sequence outlined below with a minimum grade of "B" in each course. After completing the core courses, the student selects a thesis plan to finish the degree requirements. The core courses, as well as the thesis, are outlined below.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (15 Units) | ||
| ECON 200A | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 200B | Advanced Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 200C | Advanced Applied Economics | 3 |
| ECON 200M | Mathematics for Economists | 3 |
| ECON 241 | Applied Econometric Analysis | 3 |
| Other Requirements (12 Units) | ||
| Select 12 units of electives 1 | 12 | |
| Culminating Requirement (3 Units) | ||
| ECON 500 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
Of these 12 units, six units (i.e., 2 courses) must come from 200-level courses. Note the following:
- There can be no 100-level/200-level duplication of similar courses (e.g., you cannot receive credit for ECON 130 and ECON 230, ECON 138 and ECON 238, etc.).
- Selected courses (e.g., Math, Statistics, or Computer Science) from other departments may be allowed as substitutes with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.
- ECON 295 and ECON 298 do not count as electives toward satisfying the 12 unit requirement without the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.