Boston University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Master's Programs in Economics

Course Requirements: MA in Qualitative Economics

Candidates must complete a minimum of eight semester-courses (32 credits). The following courses in micro-and macro-economic theory, statistics, and econometrics are required.

• CAS EC 501 Microeconomic Theory. Covers fundamental economic principles and the mathematical modeling of households and firms, markets and prices, uncertainty and information; quantitative analysis of cost-benefit and economic efficiency.
• CAS EC 502 Macroeconomic Theory. Covers mathematical models of economic growth and monetary theory, with reference to real-world macroeconomic data; quantitative analysis of macroeconomic policy.
• CAS EC 505 Elementary Mathematical Economics. Provides the essential mathematical background needed for the other core and elective courses. A determination is made whether it is appropriate to opt out of EC 505 by taking the mathematics placement exam. EC 505 will count as one of the MA electives.
• CAS EC 507 Statistics for Economists. Provides the mathematical foundation of statistical methods, and quantitative training in data analysis through the use of statistical software.
• CAS EC 508 Econometrics. Provides in-depth understanding and quantitative training in econometric methods most widely used in economic research and policy analysis. The rigorous mathematical theory will be combined with practice involving data and computer programs.
• EC 501, EC 502, EC 507, and EC 508 are the core courses and cannot be counted as electives.

The remaining courses are to be chosen from a broad range of elective courses. Each elective course provides in-depth knowledge in a specific area of economics. The elective curriculum makes effective use of the students’ analytic and quantitative skills acquired through the core courses and reinforces this training by providing further opportunities for the application of mathematical modeling and quantitative methods. All elective courses emphasize critical thinking and problem solving; some elective courses are designed to advance the students’ knowledge of quantitative methods; and many elective courses require students to undertake independent research or scholarship.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination that tests general knowledge of economic theory and quantitative methods. Every master’s student is expected to take the first available offering of the Comprehensive Examination after he or she has completed the economics core courses. This examination is offered twice a year.

Time Requirement

All courses and examinations must be completed within three years of the original registration at Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. International students may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the terms of their visas, as governed by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).

Course Requirements: MA in Economic Policy & Practice

1. Four economics core courses (EC 501, EC 502, EC 507, and EC 508) plus, if needed, EC 505. These courses provide the basic analytic and quantitative training needed for the entire program. See MA Program description for details.
2. Two management core courses. These courses cover some fundamental aspects of management methods, including data analysis, financial analysis, or accounting principles.
3. Two fields, each consisting of two appropriate courses selected from the economics MA offerings in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) and the MBA offerings in the Questrom School of Business. Possible fields include:

• Economic Development
• Finance
• Health
• Industry
• International Trade and Finance
• Labor Economics
• Marketing
• Money and Capital Markets
• Public Economics
• Environmental Economics
• Markets and Regulation
• Two additional elective courses

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination that tests general knowledge of economic theory and quantitative methods. Every master’s student is expected to take the first available offering of the Comprehensive Examination after he or she has completed the economics core courses. This examination is offered twice a year.

Time Requirement

All courses and examinations must be completed within three years of the original registration at Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. International students may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the terms of their visas, as governed by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).

Course Requirements: MA in Global Development Economics

Candidates must complete a minimum of 12 semester courses (48 credits). Requirements in micro-and macro-economic theory, statistics, and econometrics are the same as those for the MA in Economics. The course requirements are as follows:

1. Four core courses in economics (EC 501, EC 502, EC 507, and EC 508) plus, if needed, EC 505. These courses provide the basic analytic and quantitative training needed for the entire program. See MA Program description for details.
2. Three core courses in global development policy. These courses provide a basic background in governance and policy analysis, environmental issues and policy, and global health and development. Current research in these areas is examined from a critical and analytical perspective.
3. Four elective courses in economics. A variety of MA economics elective courses are relevant and applicable to global development. A final capstone course. Every student must undertake a capstone project in collaboration with a small group of MA GDE and MGP students. The project often takes the form of a consulting report on a challenging and realistic development problem using real-world data. At the instructor’s discretion, the results of an outstanding project may be presented to a real-world client.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination that tests general knowledge of economic theory and quantitative methods. Every master’s student is expected to take the first available offering of the Comprehensive Examination after he or she has completed the economics core courses. This examination is offered twice a year.

Time Requirement

All courses and examinations must be completed within three years of the original registration at Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. International students may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the terms of their visas, as governed by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).

QS World University Rankings (2022)

#27 in Economics and Econometrics

US News Rankings (2022)

#22 in Economics

#12 in Development Economics

#14 in Microeconomics

#19 in Econometrics

#19 in Labor Economics

A graduate degree from BU is your ticket to global opportunities. With comprehensive career development resources at their fingertips, our Economics master’s students have gone on to become cabinet ministers, PhD candidates, investment bankers, and Forbes’ 30 under 30 economists. Nearly 20% of our students have been sponsored by foreign governments, central banks, and Fulbright scholarships. Our graduates work at places like Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Federal Reserve System, the World Bank, Cornerstone Research, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. They also become entrepreneurs: founding their own start-ups and owning firms such as London Economics International. They are analysts and consultants, researchers and policymakers. Some of them continue their quest for knowledge by pursuing their PhDs at places like Harvard, Chicago, and Princeton.

Our Economics graduates have gone on to become cabinet ministers, PhD candidates, investment bankers, consultants, researchers, policymakers, and Forbes’ 30 under 30 economists. Our graduates work at places such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Federal Reserve System, the World Bank, Cornerstone Research, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. They also become entrepreneurs: founding their own start-ups and owning firms such as London Economics International.

Our Center for Career Development is also ready to help you find the best use of your degree. From networking to job opportunities to salary negotiations, our mission is to help you grow your professional life and keep it humming well beyond graduation.