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The Master of Arts Degree in Economics

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum criteria -- Applicant must score at least 430 (V) and 570 (Q) on the GRE or 500 or higher on the GMAT.
  • GPA of 3.0 (B) or better in all upper division undergraduate work.
  • Applicants with a minimal background in economics and statistics may be required to take prerequisite courses in addition to the required 30 hours in graduate credits.

The primary requisites for success in graduate study in economics are strong motivation, aptitude and basic intellectual ability. An undergraduate major in economics is not required, but a sound background in economic theory, mathematics, and statistics normally will permit completion of the masters' program in one year.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Economics is a terminal degree, designed to prepare students for entry into business, government, or further study in a Ph.D. program. In addition to the six required courses listed below, we currently offer elective courses in urban and regional economics, economics of the public sector, health economics, advanced econometrics, labor economics, history of economic thought, issues in regulation and antitrust, law and economics, economics of organization, and international trade theory and policy.

Students must satisfy all University requirements for the Master of Arts degree. In addition, the Department requires students to complete 30 hours of graduate credit selected with the approval of the graduate advisor of the Department. At least 24 hours must be in economics and must include:

  • ECO 6115 Microeconomics I (3)
  • ECO 6120 Economic Policy Analysis (3)
  • ECO 6206 Aggregate Economics (3)
  • ECO 6405 Mathematical Economics (3)
  • ECO 6424 Econometrics I (3)
  • ECO 6425 Econometrics II (3)

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA overall as well as in all economics courses. Prior to clearance for the degree, each candidate must perform satisfactorily on an oral examination.

The Department also participates in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Transportation Program, which is coordinated by USF's Center for Urban Transportation Research and involves the departments of Civil Engineering and Public Administration in addition to Economics. An economics MA student can obtain a concentration in transportation analysis by taking two courses offered by each of the three departments. From the Department of Public Transportation, students take Public Planning and Policy Analysis; from Civil Engineering, students take Transportation Planning and Transportation Engineering; and from Economics, students take Microeconomics and Urban Economics.

Financial Assistance

The Department has available several assistantships which include tuition waivers. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Also, the Center for Urban Transportation Research offers research assistantshps to qualified students participating in the transportation program.

To obtain an application for admission go to USF graduate admissions (domestic applicants) or USF international admissions. To obtain an assistantship application, please contact the Economics Department's Graduate Programs Secretary, at econgrad@coba.usf.edu.

A brochure describing the Master's of Art in Economics program is also available.