Program Overview

MA in Economics Program

The Mason style of economics fuses scholarship in the fields of public choice, Austrian economics, and experimental economics. Our nationally ranked graduate economics programs are noted for their emphasis on comparative institutional analysis and their concentration on the relationships among economic, political, and legal institutions.

Program Overview

The MA in Economics program prepares students for careers in the modern job market. Working with our faculty, students gain an understanding of economic theory, build critical quantitative and analytical skills, and learn to apply this knowledge to real-world economic problems. Graduates are prepared to write policy analyses and are qualified to read and evaluate other's research and to conduct their own, either individually or as members of research teams in government and business.

Program Structure

The program is designed to accommodate students who are employed, and we value the experience and contributions they bring to the classroom and community. Classes for the MA Economics on-campus option are generally offered in the evening, and courses for the online option are scheduled asynchronously.

Funding Opportunities

Funding opportunities are available on a competitive basis for incoming MA in economics on-campus students. The application process for fellowships and assistantships is separate from the admissions process.

Economics MA Fellowship

The Economics MA Fellowship is an opportunity available to incoming on-campus students who are pursuing their MA in economics. The department will be granting recognition awards for exceptional MA applicants. The awards aim at distinguishing exemplary candidates. The fellowship is a one-time award, disbursed over two years.

How to Apply

To be considered for a recognition award, candidates must submit a brief statement highlighting a major achievement.

Mercatus Center's Graduate Scholars Program

The Graduate Scholars Program is a new award available for graduate students in any discipline at George Mason University who are interested in learning more about political economy.

Other Funding Sources

We also encourage all applicants to review George Mason's Graduate Education website and Financial Support webpage for additional graduate funding and aid resources.

Application Deadlines

• Priority Fall Deadline: February 15
• Online Deadline Information: Available upon request

Program Directors

• Director (On-Campus Option): Carlos D Ramirez
• Director (Online Option): Christopher Coyne

Research Areas

Economics faculty are actively engaged in academic research on, and teaching about, numerous subjects including:

• Experimental economics
• Austrian economics
• Public choice
• Constitutional political economy
• Law and economics
• New institutional economics

Degree Requirements

The MA in economics is a self-contained course of study for students who are not planning to pursue the PhD program at George Mason University. Students who plan to pursue the PhD degree should apply directly to the doctoral program and earn a master's while pursuing the PhD.

Online Option

We launched a new program initiative in Fall 2020 to offer a fully-online MA Economics option alongside our established on-campus program in Northern Virginia. Over 170 students from around the nation as well as internationally have already joined us online and enjoy the same world-class education and opportunities as our traditional on-campus students.