Department of Economics

Economics (MA, PhD) Economics and Applied Econometrics (MS), Economic Education (PhD), (Dual Degree MBA/MA)

Economics (MA, MS, PhD)(Dual Degree MA/MBA)
Telephone: (302) 831-2566
http://graduate.lerner.udel.edu/master-doctoral-programs/graduate-programs-economics
Faculty Listing:http://www.lerner.udel.edu/directory/economics

Program Overview

The Department of Economics offers programs leading to PhD, MA, and MS degrees in Economics, and combined MA/MBA degrees. The PhD, MA, and MS programs emphasize applied economics with areas of specialization including econometrics, international economics and development, industrial organization, labor economics, applied macroeconomics, public economics, financial economics, environmental economics, and regional economic development. The MA/MBA program combines applied economics with traditional MBA skills. The MA and PhD in Economic Education are designed to train professionals in the field of economic education.

The curricula provide students with a balance between a core of microeconomic, macroeconomic, and econometric theory and a wide variety of applied courses. These programs are designed to prepare individuals for professional careers involving the application of economic analysis in both the public and private sectors, including academia.

Requirements for Admission

Prospective students should consult the Graduate Admissions chapter of this catalog for admission procedures. The date for application submission is July 1 for Fall admission. Students seeking financial aid should complete their applications by February 15. Admission to graduate programs in the Department of Economics is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and available capacity. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission; nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Dual Master of Arts in Economics and Master of Business Administration Degree. Applicants are expected to have at least a 3.0 (on a four-point scale) undergraduate GPA. In addition, applicants should have a score of at least 155 (quantitative only) on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test or score at or above the 69th percentile on the quantitative part of the Graduate Management Admission Test. Foreign students must achieve a score of at least 90 on the IBT version of the TOEFL. While graduate courses do not require extensive prerequisites, students must have an adequate background in economics, calculus, and statistics. Applicants for the MBA/MA dual degree must also meet the MBA program admission criteria.

Master of Arts in Economics and Entrepreneurship for Educators. The program is open to educators who: (1) meet admission requirements of the Office of Graduate and Professional Education of the University of Delaware (official transcripts of all undergraduate work are required), (2) have completed a minimum of three semester hours in economics, (3) hold a current teaching certificate and have a minimum of three years of experience, and (4) are nominated by the Council or Center Director for Economic Education in their geographic region.

Master of Science in Economics and Applied Econometrics and PhD in Economics Degree. For admission to these programs, students must have demonstrated a high level of potential to do independent research at the doctoral level. Students are expected to score at least 156 (revised scale as of August, 2011) on the quantitative portion of the GRE exam or the equivalent on the GMAT. In cases where English is a second language, applicants are expected to score at least 100 on the IBT version of the TOEFL exam. A grade point average of at least 3.5 in economics courses is expected with emphasis placed on core courses and on course selection. Attention will also be given to courses that the applicant has taken in related disciplines. All applicants must submit at least three letters of recommendation from economics faculty who can comment explicitly upon the applicant’s ability to do graduate-level work. Students seeking admission to the PhD program must also demonstrate a high level of potential to do independent research. Continuation in the PhD program requires a MS in Economics and Applied Econometrics from the University of Delaware, or Master Equivalency, as determined by the Department’s Graduate Committee. An MBA degree is not considered to be equivalent to a master degree in economics. Each student’s requirements for satisfying the master’s equivalency will be established by the Graduate Committee. Qualified applicants who have not met the Master’s Equivalency requirement at the time of admission are required to do so while at the University of Delaware in order to continue in the PhD program.

Master of Arts and PhD in Economic Education. Students will be admitted to the program based upon enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following minimum recommended entrance requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; a quantitative GRE score of at least 156 (revised scale as of August, 2011); an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; an officially reported minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (IBT), (alternately, applicants may submit scores from the IELTS test; a minimum score of 7.0 is required); and a written statement of goals and objectives, including a statement that clearly identifies the applicant’s interest in the program. Coursework in microeconomics and macroeconomics at the intermediate level or above and in statistics and mathematics (calculus) is expected. Otherwise qualified students who lack this background may be directed to appropriate coursework to remedy this deficiency. Continuation in the PhD in Economic Education requires a MA in Economic Education from the University of Delaware, or its equivalent, as determined by the Graduate Committee.

Requirements for Degrees

All degrees except the MA degree for teachers require written comprehensive examinations and completion of a capstone experience. Students may satisfy some elective course requirements for all degrees with a variety of graduate-level courses from other disciplines.

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate