Masters of Arts Degree Requirements
Graduate Programs in Economics
The Department of Economics at the University of Miami offers selective, high-quality Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts programs. Students with a bachelor's degree may apply directly for either program although we encourage students to apply at the PhD level if that is their ultimate goal. The Masters and PhD programs provide a rigorous exposure to microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, monetary theory and policy, and quantitative methods. Priority is assigned to quality research. Small classes afford each student the opportunity to participate in discussions and benefit from continuous faculty-student interaction. Both the classroom and research components are supplemented by colloquia presented by internationally recognized scholars. The University's proximity to the emerging nations of the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as student demand, were major considerations in defining the specific areas of concentration.
Master of Arts in Economics
Admission into the MA program is conducted annually in the spring, for classes to begin in the fall. The department does not offer any part time programs.
All MA candidates are required to complete thirty (30) credit hours comprised of seven core courses (21 credit hours), two field or specialty courses (6 credit hours), and one elective course (3 credit hours). A field is comprised of either two related courses in one of the major economic disciplines, e.g. macro economics, or two courses in related disciplines, e.g. health economics and labor economics.
After completing their course work with a minimum cumulative average of 3.0 (B), Master degree candidates are scheduled to sit for their comprehensive examinations, which are administered during designated testing periods. These examinations test the student in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, quantitative methods and one field. Students who do not initially pass comprehensive examinations will be given one additional opportunity to do so. Other requirements are contained in the section "The Master Degree - General" of the University of Miami's Graduate School Bulletin.
Required Core Courses
All MA students must take the following courses:
1st semester (Fall)
ECO 510 - Mathematical Economics
ECO 520 - Econometrics
ECO 521 - Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
ECO 533 - Advanced Microeconomic Theory
2nd semester (Spring)
ECO 621 - Graduate Macroeconomic Theory I
ECO 633 - Graduate Microeconomic Theory 1
ECO 512 - Mathematical Economics II
ECO XX - Field
Upon the successful completion of the above courses, the student will be eligible to sit for the Macroeconomics and Microeconomics comprehensive exams.
3rd semester (Fall)
ECO XX - Field
ECO XX - Elective
Upon the successful completion of the above courses, the student will be eligible to sit for the field and quantitative comprehensive exams.
Job Placement
Students are placed in a variety of positions, including domestic and foreign academic, government, and private sector positions. Many students use the rigorous quantitative training as preparation for PhD programs in a variety of fields.
The Faculty
The scope and breadth of the faculty's research interest and activity is reflected in the stature and diversity of the general interest and field journals in which their work has been published. In recent years, the faculty has placed articles in the American Economic Review and other top-tier academic journals. For more information, visit the department's working paper archive, and faculty pages.The department has also been able to successfully recruit a balanced mix of junior- and senior-level professors, which ensures the infusion of new approaches and interests into both the classroom and the department's research agenda.
For an application and admissions information, please click here.
