Program Overview

---

Economics and Applied Econometrics (M.S.)

The Master of Science in Economics and Applied Econometrics is a graduate program designed to equip students with the skills to apply economic analysis to various situations, expanding their opportunities and preparing them to thrive in a data-driven economy.

Program Highlights

• Practical Economics: The program focuses on using economic theory, mathematics, and statistical inference to quantify economic phenomena, making theoretical economic models useful for economic policymaking.
• Balance of Courses: It provides a balance of diverse applied courses and core microeconomic, macroeconomic, and econometric theory, suitable for careers in private industry, government, academia, or further study in a Ph.D. program.
• Research Emphasis: There is a strong emphasis on quantitative skills applicable to both the private and public sectors, as well as a focus on faculty and student research.

Program Requirements

All students complete courses in:

• Microeconomic and macroeconomic theory
• Econometrics, including at least three of the five graduate econometrics courses offered Students also take electives in a wide range of fields, such as:
  • Development economics
  • Industrial organization
  • Labor economics
  • Financial economics
  • Behavioral economics
  • Household finance

The degree requires 30 credits and is ideal for students who have majored in economics as undergraduates and seek more specialized training in applied econometrics and economic theory.

Courses

• ECON 811 – Microeconomic Theory I
• ECON 812 – Macroeconomic Theory I
• ECON 822 – Econometric Theory I
• ECON 823 – Econometric Theory II
• Choose one course from:
  • ECON 824 – Econometrics of Cross-Section and Panel Data
  • ECON 825 – Time-series Econometrics
• Five electives approved by the graduate committee, including one Advanced Topics course or ECON 868 – Research Project

Career Opportunities

The program has excellent success in placing graduates in professional positions where employers value their experience and skills. The Lerner Career Services provides support through job listings, job fairs, student recruitment programs, career planning, and placement assistance. The economics faculty also offers job interview coaching and guidance.

Where Our Graduates Work

• Bloomberg
• Cigna
• Citi
• JPMorgan Chase
• KPMG
• Sallie Mae

Economics FAQ

Q. What is distinctive about your programs?

A. The personalized approach, focus on the application of economics to the real world, and a wide array of econometrics courses designed to train students for jobs emphasizing the practical application of economics.

Q. How long does it take to finish the different degrees?

A. The M.S. in economics and applied econometrics is a three-semester degree. Ph.D. students need three years to finish their coursework and an additional two years to complete the dissertation.

Q. What do you mean by "equivalency"?

A. Although a student cannot use credit earned for another degree to earn a master's degree in economics at the University of Delaware, some of these credits may reduce the overall number of credits needed to complete the Ph.D. degree.

Q. If I have completed a MBA recently, how many more courses will I have to take to complete the Ph.D.?

A. This depends on exactly what courses you took for your MBA degree. Generally, there is little overlap between coursework for a traditional MBA and a master's degree in economics.

Q. I'm applying for the Ph.D. in economics; I currently hold a MBA degree. You stipulate that I must eventually meet the requirements of the M.S. in economics and applied econometrics in addition to the requirements for the Ph.D. program. Do I submit my application for the M.S. or the Ph.D. program?

A. You can apply directly to the Ph.D. with a MBA degree. You will be required to complete the M.S. equivalency at UD as part of your Ph.D. program.

Q. What can I do to increase my chances of being admitted to the M.S. or Ph.D. program?

A. Having a stronger background in mathematics is beneficial. The minimum mathematics requirement is a two-course undergraduate sequence in calculus that includes multivariate calculus.

Q. What is the minimum requirement (such as TOEFL and GRE scores) if I want to apply for a TA or RA?

A. The minimum TOEFL for admission to the Ph.D. is 600 and the minimum GRE score is 1100 (verbal + quantitative).

Q. Does the University of Delaware treat a 3-year bachelor's (honors) degree from another country as equivalent to its U.S. counterpart and accept the applicant for direct admission to the graduate program?

A. No, a three-year degree is not acceptable for admission to UD. One more year of post-graduate studies at your University would be acceptable and then you may apply for admission to graduate studies at UD.

Q. I have already received the official letter of admission from the University of Delaware but I was not given financial aid. Do I have any chance of obtaining financial aid?

A. We realize that money is a problem and it is very difficult for you to come without aid. However, we have limited aid awards.

Q. When do you make your funding decisions for the fall semester? Can you tell me what my chances are in advance?

A. We do fund a limited number of new students. Funding is highly competitive. We make the funding decisions for the fall semester in either March or April once we have reviewed all of the applicants' records.

Q. If I do well in my first year, will I be funded during the remaining time that I will need to finish the Ph.D.?

A. While continued funding is based on student performance, Ph.D. students who receive funding after the first year are normally required to teach in the undergraduate program.

Q. Am I more likely to receive funding if I apply to the Ph.D. program than a master's program?

A. While we fund a small number of new master's and Ph.D. students, applying for the master's or Ph.D. program does not affect the funding or admission decision.

Q. I am interested in finance. I see that your College offers a M.S. in finance as well as concentrations in finance as a part of the MBA and Ph.D. in economics. What is the difference among these three degrees?

A. The M.S. in finance is a 30-credit degree with courses offered also to MBA and economics graduate students. The MBA finance courses are mostly managerial and institutional in nature, while the courses open to economics students are research-oriented and have a graduate course in econometrics as a prerequisite.