Analyst reviewing graphs on a computer

Master of Arts

Economics

Program of Study

programofstudy

This 30-credit program can be completed in as little as one full year or three semesters of full-time study.

Improve your knowledge of economics by pursuing a number of concentrations within your MA studies.  You can focus your coursework on International Economics, Public Economics, Finance and Credit Markets, Health Economics, and a separately constituted specialization, Forecasting. These are rapidly developing fields within Economics that have many applications in business and government.
 

Core Courses
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Quantitative Methods I
  • Quantitative Methods II
Concentration Courses

A sequence of courses in an area of concentration, as approved by the department’s Graduate Studies Committee.


Master's Essay or Seminar in Economic Forecasting (forecasting concentration)

Supporting Courses

Up to 9 credits in related fields as advised.


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Chun-Yu Ho at [email protected].

Concentrations
International Economics

Courses

  • International Trade
  • International Macroeconomics
Public Economics

Courses:

Choose two

  • Economics of the Public Sector
  • Public and Nonprofit Financial Management
  • Crime, Criminal Justice and Public Policy
  • Economics of Government Programs
  • Health Care Finance
Finance & Credit Markets

Courses

Choose two courses

  • International Macroeconomics
  • Financial Management
  • The Fixed Income Securities Market
  • Private Equity and Venture Capital
Health Economics

Courses

Choose two courses

  • Economic Analysis for Health Policy and Management
  • Health Policy Analysis
  • Applications in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation
  • Economic Evaluation in Health Care
  • Health Care Finance
  • Your Money or Your Life: Economics of Health Policy
Economic Forecasting

Courses

  • Economic Surveys and Forecasting
  • Time Series and Forecasting
  • Forecasting in the Public Sector
  • Internship in Forecasting
Career Outcomes

Recent placements of UAlbany master's in economics graduates include:

  • Accenture
  • Bloomberg News
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
  • International Monetary Fund
  • Moody's
  • Morgan Stanley
  • New York State Department of Health
  • NY State Department of Labor
  • NY State Division of Budget
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Social Security Administration
  • United Nations Development Programme
  • Walt Disney
  • Wells Fargo

 

 

Utilize your Master of Arts in Economics degree to gain a career as an economist, a role that typically requires an advanced degree.

Potential job titles include:

  • Actuary
  • Financial Analyst
  • Market Research Analyst
careers

"The small student to instructor ratio allows for the ability to gain rapport with highly professional economists. The networking opportunities within the program were instrumental in securing my current employment position at the New York State Division of the Budget’s Economics and Revenue Unit."

-Tina Quoi,  MA with Forecasting Concentration

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

If you’re a current UAlbany undergraduate student with at least a 3.2 GPA, you can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework as early as your junior year. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you can complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately.

Contact your undergraduate advisor to see if you’re eligible and learn about your combined graduate program options.

Commencement stock photo
Admissions Requirements
Deadlines
  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
Special Notes

The Economic Forecasting concentration of this program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

admissions
Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Arts
  • Develop in-depth competency in the core areas of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and applied econometrics.
  • Develop additional competency through elective coursework in one field of specialization (popular concentration fields include forecasting, finance, international economics, health economics, and public economics).
  • Be able to use economic analysis to solve problems and answer questions that arise in the private and public sectors.
  • Be able to use common software programs for performing econometric analyses of data.
  • Be able to communicate economic reasoning, econometric methods and evidence in a professional setting.
  • Prepare to pursue a doctorate in economics (for those students using the MA program as a stepping stone to PhD study).
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