Program Overview

Master's Degree Program in Economics

The Master's Degree program in Economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is designed to complement PhD programs in Economics and other departments. The program is intended for students who are currently enrolled in another primary degree program at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Program Overview

The Master's program in Economics does not consider candidates outside of UNC-CH graduate students currently enrolled in another primary degree program. The program requires students to complete nine economics courses plus a one-semester research course, Econ. 992. All courses must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Course Requirements

• A master's candidate must complete the following courses:
  • Economics 710: Graduate Microeconomics
  • Economics 720: Graduate Macroeconomics
  • Economics 770 (depending on prior course work), 771 or 870
  • Economics 700: Quantitative Methods
• The standard fields for Master's students are:
  • Econometrics
  • Health Economics
  • Industrial Organization
  • International/Macroeconomics
  • Labor Economics
  • Microeconomic Theory
• Students must take at least two 800-level courses in a field of specialization.
• The remaining courses are supporting courses chosen by the student in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and other faculty.

Masters Examination and Paper Requirements

• The student's faculty advisor supervises both the written examination in the field of specialization and the student's Master's paper (or project).
• The Master's examination may be an oral or written exam, and is entirely up to the Master's student's adviser.
• A formal paper written as a Substitute to a Master's Thesis must be submitted to the advising faculty member no later than the last day of instruction for the term in which the student's plans to have the MS degree conferred.

Application by Students in Other UNC Programs

• If you are in another program at UNC and interested in a Master's in Economics, please talk with the Director of Graduate Studies.
• Even if you are already a graduate or professional student at UNC, you must apply formally for admission to the Master's Program in Economics.
• The Graduate School's "20% rule" states that only 20% of the courses required for the Master's may be taken prior to formal admission to the Master's of Economics program.