Program Overview
Program Description
The Master of Arts program in economics is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time students, requiring a minimum of three semesters of full-time study. The time limit for completion of the degree is five years for both full- and part-time students.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Arts program in economics is limited to students of outstanding promise. Strong applicants will meet the following requirements:
- GRE Quantitative Reasoning score > 80th percentile (≈ 159 on new scale)
- GRE Analytical Writing score > 80th percentile (≈ 5.0)
- GRE Verbal Reasoning score > 50th percentile (≈150)
- Two undergraduate calculus courses (or one calculus & one linear algebra course)
- One statistics course & one course in econometrics
- Intermediate microeconomics and intermediate macroeconomics
- Plus four other undergraduate economics courses
- Overall GPA of 3.5 and above at the undergraduate level
- TOEFL > 105 (internet-based version) for international students only
Program Requirements
Formal requirements for the Master of Arts degree in economics include the satisfactory completion of graduate studies totaling at least 32 credits and the writing of a special project report. Students must complete at least 24 credits within the Department of Economics at New York University. Transfer credits do not count toward this requirement. Most courses carry 3 credits; the special project carries 2 credits. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 with 18 credits of B or better. Students may take 8 credits outside the Department of Economics.
Course List
- Major Requirements:
- ECON-GA 1001: Math for Economists (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1003: Microeconomics (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1005: Macroeconomics (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1101: Applied Statistics & Econometrics I (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1102: Applied Statistics & Econometrics II - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 3200: Special Projects in Econ Research - 2 credits
- Electives: Other Elective Credits - 15 credits
- Total Credits: 32 credits
Special Project
The special project is done in ECON-GA 3200 Special Projects in Econ Research. The aim of the course is to integrate material and tools that have been taught throughout the MA program in addressing applied economic and policy problems.
Sample Plan of Study
- 1st Semester/Term:
- ECON-GA 1001: Math for Economists (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1005: Macroeconomics (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1101: Applied Statistics & Econometrics I (MA) - 3 credits
- Elective Course - 3 credits
- Total Credits: 12 credits
- 2nd Semester/Term:
- ECON-GA 1003: Microeconomics (MA) - 3 credits
- ECON-GA 1102: Applied Statistics & Econometrics II - 3 credits
- Elective Course - 3 credits
- Elective Course - 3 credits
- Total Credits: 12 credits
- 3rd Semester/Term:
- Elective Course - 3 credits
- Elective Course - 3 credits
- Total Credits: 6 credits
- 4th Semester/Term:
- ECON-GA 3200: Special Projects in Econ Research - 2 credits
- Total Credits: 2 credits
- Total Credits: 32 credits
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have achieved the following skills and abilities:
- Skills in advanced economics, particularly mainstream macroeconomics and microeconomics.
- Skills in econometrics and statistics for quantitative research and analysis.
- Skills in mathematical techniques.
- Skills in applied economic analysis and public policy analysis.
Policies
- NYU Policies: University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
- Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies: Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.