Economics, M.A.

For detailed information about the program, please visit www.csulb.edu/economics and select “Graduate Program” or contact the graduate advisor.

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree with a major in economics; or
A bachelor’s degree with 18 units of core economics courses which include calculus, statistics, principles of microeconomics, principles of macroeconomics, intermediate microeconomics, and intermediate macroeconomics.
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (“B”) in core economics courses.
Graduate students must consult with the graduate advisor for information concerning department procedures and for approval of their course of study upon admission.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement usually occurs upon successful completion of the first 6 units. Students must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to advance to candidacy.

Requirements

Complete 30 units of upper-division and graduate courses.

All students must demonstrate competency in economic theory (microeconomics and macroeconomics) and applied economics (econometrics and research methods). Students must also take one general economics seminar and develop one field of concentration in economics.

Complete the following economic theory courses with a grade of “B” or better:

ECON 510 - Advanced Microeconomics (3 units)
ECON 511 - Advanced Macroeconomics (3 units)

Complete the following applied economics courses with a grade of “C” or better:

ECON 585 - Econometrics I (4 units)
ECON 586 - Econometrics II (4 units)
ECON 587 - Research Methods in Economics (3 units)

Complete the following field and seminar courses with a grade of “B” or better in the 600-level courses:

ECON 690 - Seminar in Economics (3 units)
ECON 691 - Economics Research Lab (1 unit)
One 600-level field course seminar (3)

Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Pass a comprehensive exam.

The comprehensive exam requires students to submit a research paper from a 600-level seminar and orally defend this research to a committee of three faculty members. This exam will assess the student’s proficiency to apply economic theory, formulate an empirical hypothesis, and then use econometric techniques to test the hypothesis and interpret results. The faculty committee will determine if the student has successfully passed the exam based on the quality of the research paper and oral defense according to guidelines established by the department. Note: In order to satisfy the culminating activity requirement (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program), students must earn at least three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity.