Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's in Economics program at George Mason University is a 100% online program that can be completed in 18 months. The program consists of 30 credit hours and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Description

The program engages students with George Mason's unique approach to economics, which fuses the scholarship of public choice, Austrian, and experimental economics. The program has received international attention for its focus on comparative institutional analysis and its practical approach to the relationships among economic, political, and legal sectors.

Admission Criteria

Applicants must hold a BA or BS degree or equivalent from an accredited university or college with a GPA of at least 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate work and in all economics courses. While a degree in economics is not required, it is recommended that applicants have satisfactorily completed the following before enrolling in graduate courses:

• Intermediate Microeconomics
• Intermediate Macroeconomics
• At least one semester of Calculus
• At least one semester of Statistics

Application Details

The application process requires:

• Completed Online Application
• $75 application fee
• Resume
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement Essay
• Undergrad GPA-minimum 3.0 (submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts)

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the online Master's in Economics program can qualify for a number of desirable career positions, including:

• Actuary
• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Economic Analyst
• Investment Analyst
• Legislative Correspondent
• Market Researcher
• Operations Associate
• Quantitative Analyst
• Policy Analyst
• Program Manager
• Research Scientist
• Senior Consultant
• Statistician

Courses

The program includes the following core courses:

• ECON 535 Survey of Applied Econometrics
• ECON 611 Microeconomic Theory
• ECON 612 Microeconomic Theory II
• ECON 615 Macroeconomic Theory
• ECON 630 Mathematical Economics I The program also offers elective courses, including:
• Causal Inference in Economics
• Comparative Economic Systems
• Economics Capstone
• Experimental Economics
• Gender Economics
• Market Process Theory
• Public Economics/Public Choice

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition is $1,065 per credit hour, with an additional charge of $35 per credit hour for a Distance Learning fee. For information on grants, scholarships, and loans, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Accreditation

George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Program Unique Features

The program offers:

• Internationally recognized faculty
• Financial aid programs to make the degree more affordable
• Access to competitive internship and job opportunities through George Mason University's Career Services
• Flexible, fully online degree format to accommodate all schedules

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to have an Economics background? While a degree in economics is not required, it is recommended that applicants have satisfactorily completed the following before enrolling in graduate courses.
• What are the admission criteria? Applicants must hold a BA or BS degree or equivalent from an accredited university or college with a GPA of at least 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate work and in all economics courses.
• Can I complete the program entirely online? Yes, the MA in Economics can be completed entirely online.
• How long does it take to complete the program? The online MA in Economics is 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 18 months.