Economics
Program Mission: The program's objectives are to prepare students to become leaders in contemporary business, government, and academia by offering excellent education in applied economics. We accomplish our objectives by offering a flexible curriculum centered on analytical rigor, efficient quantitative methods, and effective communication skills.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see "Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs"). In addition, applicants should have 18 semester hours of undergraduate work in economics or be willing to make up deficiencies without credit toward their graduate degree, mathematics courses equivalent to MAT 2110C and 2120C, and a statistics course equivalent to ECN 3971. Equivalence of mathematics courses will be evaluated by the Graduate Committee of the Economics Department.
Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the "Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates" section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include those outlined for the master's degree by the Graduate School (see "Requirements for the Master's Degree"). The Department of Economics offers a thesis option (30 semester hours) and non-thesis option (32 semester hours) of graduate level courses approved by the Graduate Committee. All candidates must complete ECN 4973, 5401, and 5402. Students choosing the non-thesis option must also complete ECN 5900 and 5960.
Applied Microeconomics Track
Candidates have the option to complete a track within their program as their specialization area. Students are free to take the Applied Microeconomics track, the Global Economy track, or the Monetary Economics and Financial Markets track, or a combination. However, instead of a second track, students may choose other courses to complete the requirements of the degree.
Complete 3 of the following courses:
will count toward one track but not all.
Global Economy Track
Candidates have the option to complete a track within their program as their specialization area. Students are free to take the Applied Microeconomics track, the Global Economy track, or the Monetary Economics and Financial Markets track, or a combination. However, instead of a second track, students may choose other courses to complete the requirements of the degree.
Complete 3 of the following courses:
cannot be taken for more than one track.
will count toward one track but not two.
Monetary Economics and Financial Markets
Candidates have the option to complete a track within their program as their specialization area. Students are free to take the Applied Microeconomics track, the Global Economy track, or the Monetary Economics and Financial Markets track, or a combination. However, instead of a second track, students may choose other courses to complete the requirements of the degree.
Complete 3 of the following courses:
will count toward one track but not two.
will count toward one track but not all.
Graduate Assistantships
Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Economics, 2159 Coleman Hall, EIU.
Accelerated Graduate Program
Admission to the accelerated MA in Economics requires that a student have completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 hours of Economics courses.
To apply for the accelerated MA in Economics, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation to the Graduate Coordinator. Students must also complete the Graduate School's Accelerated Program Application
Shared Coursework
A maximum of 9 credit hours may be shared with the undergraduate degree in economics. At least one but no more than two 5000-level courses must be taken as shared coursework.
The following courses are acceptable as shared credit:
Information sourced from the 2019-2020 EIU Graduate Catalog.