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Economics - M.A.E.

Our Master of Arts in Economics program is designed to equip you with advanced economic knowledge and skills needed to thrive in various careers. With experienced faculty, research opportunities, and industry connections, you'll receive a top-notch education that prepares you for a successful career in economics.

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Economics program at Kent State University provides a foundation in the tools of economic policy and data analysis. Program graduates go on to obtain a wide range of positions in the insurance and banking industries, as well as continuing academic careers by pursuing a Ph.D.

Two concentrations are offered in the MA in Economics program: Economic Analysis and Financial Economics.

  • One distinct advantage of the Economic Analysis concentration is its focus on the development of strong analytical and quantitative skills. Students are well-trained in the application of economic theory and methods of statistical analysis.
  • The Financial Economics concentration is primarily designed for students who wish to pursue careers in the financial services industry, including commercial banking, investment banking, insurance, real estate and financial advising. 

Our M.A. in Economics program has STEM designation, with CIP code 45.0603 (Econometrics and Quantitative Economics). It allows our international students to apply for a two year OPT extension in addition to the standard 12 months of F1 student visas for all other degrees.

COMBINED BBA(BA)/MA PROGRAM

We offer a combined BBA/MA or BA/MA program, allowing a current KSU undergraduate to take MA courses as an undergraduate which count towards both the BBA/BA degree and the MA in Economics, up to 9 credit hours can be double counted. This allows students to earn a graduate degree in less time and have the advantages of higher starting salaries and additional career opportunities. 

Undergraduate students with an Economics major or a Finance major who are applying to the combined bachelor's/ master's program with the M.A.E. degree must have earned a minimum 60 credit hours (junior standing) and have a minimum 3.20 overall GPA. In addition, students in the B.B.A. degree in Finance must have earned a minimum B grade in ECON 32040: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and ApplicationsEcon 32050 Applied Econometrics I is not required but strongly recommended.  Students with an Economics major in the combined program can pursue either the Economic Analysis Concentration or the Financial Economics Concentration. Students with a Finance major in the combined program may only pursue the Financial Economics Concentration.

Want to learn more?

Interested in learning more about the M.A. in Economics degree at Kent State? Contact us at 330-672-2282 or online form and we can help answer any questions that you may have. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Read testimonials from M.A.E. alumni

 

Program Information

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts in Economics degree provides prepares graduates for a career as an analyst in government or the private sector, as well as for doctoral study.

The Economics major comprises the following concentrations:

  • The Economic Analysis concentration has a distinct advantage for students in its focus on the development of strong analytical and quantitative skills. Students are well-trained in the application of economic theory and methods of statistical analysis.
  • The Financial Economics concentration is primarily designed for students who wish to pursue careers in the financial services industry, including commercial banking, investment banking, insurance, real estate and financial advising.
Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • GMAT or GRE scores1 (effective for spring 2024 admission term, GMAT or GRE scores are no longer required)
  • Goal statement
  • Résumé
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
    • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score
    • Minimum 80 TOEFL IBT score
    • Minimum 77 MELAB score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 Duolingo English score

Undergraduate students in the Economics or Finance major who are applying to the combined bachelor's/master's program with the M.A.E. degree must have earned a minimum 60 credit hours (junior standing) and have a minimum 3.200 overall GPA. In addition, students in the B.B.A. degree in Finance must have earned a minimum B grade in ECON 32040. GRE/GMAT is waived for applicants into the combined program (effective for spring 2024 admission term, GRE/GMAT is no longer required).

1

GMAT or GRE scores are waived for applicants who graduated with the Kent State undergraduate Economics major or minor or the Data Analytics minor within the past five years. For other students, if they seek admission only, the GRE/GMAT can also be waived; if they want to be considered for a graduate assistantship, the GRE/GMAT is required.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: February 15
      Applications must be submitted by these deadlines to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
    • Application deadline: February 15 (international student) and June 1 (domestic student)
      Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.
  • Spring Semester
    • Funding deadline: October 15
      Applications must be submitted by these deadlines to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
    • Application deadline: October 15 (international student) and November 15 (domestic student)
      Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand and apply fundamental economic concepts.
  2. Formulate and test hypotheses.
  3. Access and use appropriate information.
  4. Demonstrate analytic and quantitative skills.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ECON 62050MICROECONOMIC THEORY I 3
ECON 62051MACROECONOMIC THEORY I 3
ECON 62054ECONOMETRICS I 3
ECON 62056TIME SERIES ANALYSIS 3
Concentrations
Choose from the following:18
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30

Economic Analysis Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
ECON 52050DATA ACQUISITION, PREPARATION AND VISUALIZATION 3
ECON 62055ECONOMETRICS II 3
ECON 62072ECONOMICS OF LABOR MARKETS 13
or ECON 62180 REGIONAL ECONOMICS
ECON 64004QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION I 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6
ECON 62092
INTERNSHIP IN ECONOMICS 2
ECON 62199
THESIS I
Approved Electives 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18
1

Students may be allowed to substitute an equivalent course with department approval.

2

Students selecting the internship must also complete an additional Economics (ECON) elective for total 6 credit hours.

3

Students may select any graduate-level Economics (ECON) courses subject to the approval of the graduate coordinator.

Financial Economics Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
FIN 56055ADVANCED DERIVATIVE SECURITIES 3
FIN 56056ADVANCED FIXED INCOME MANAGEMENT 3
FIN 56059APPLIED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 3
FIN 56067ADVANCED PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS 3
Internship or Electives, choose from the following:6
ECON 62092
INTERNSHIP IN ECONOMICS 1
Approved Economics (ECON) or Finance (FIN) Electives 2
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18
1

Students selecting the internship must also complete an additional elective, for a total of 6 credit hours.

2

Students may select any graduate-level Economics (ECON) or Finance (FIN) courses subject with the approval of the graduate coordinator.

Graduation Requirements

  • Students entering the program will be expected to have completed undergraduate courses in intermediate microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, differential calculus and statistics. Any deficiencies must be made up before the start of the program. These background courses do not count toward the 30 credit hours required for the M.A.E. degree.
  • Students may also select, with departmental approval, a limited number of courses outside the Department of Economics.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation

AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Data scientists and mathematical science occupations, all other

30.9%

much faster than the average

33,200

number of jobs

$98,230

potential earnings

Economics teachers, postsecondary

5.2%

faster than the average

16,800

number of jobs

$107,260

potential earnings

Economists

14.1%

much faster than the average

20,500

number of jobs

$108,350

potential earnings

Statisticians

34.6%

much faster than the average

42,700

number of jobs

$92,270

potential earnings

Management analysts

10.7%

much faster than the average

876,300

number of jobs

$87,660

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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