Master of Arts Program
The master of arts (M.A.) degree program in economics accepts both full-time and part-time graduate students. Well-qualified, full-time students may be able to complete the degree within three semesters. Most part-time students should expect to take two or three years. All matriculated students must complete their degree within four years of entering the program. Graduate courses in economics are also open to nonmatriculated students (maximum 6 credits).
The M.A. degree in economics requires the successful completion of 10 3-credit courses, for a total of 30 graduate credits. All students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and they must complete the following three core courses with an average grade of B or better:
- Microeconomic Theory (26:220:501 or 26:223:552)*
- Macroeconomic Theory (26:220:503)
- Econometrics I (26:220:507)**
The remaining 21 credits may be earned in any other graduate courses in economics or, with the consent of the graduate program director, in closely related disciplines (such as statistics, mathematics, public administration, global affairs, urban systems, and business).
Five-Year Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts Program
This program is available to Rutgers–Newark undergraduates majoring in economics who have an overall GPA of at least 3.2, and
have completed both intermediate micro and macro theory with grades of B
or better. The program is
designed so that a well-qualified student can earn a master's degree in
economics with just one year of additional coursework after the
bachelor's degree. The program is intended primarily for students
interested in further study in economics for its own sake or as
preparation for admission to a top-tier Ph.D. program.
The requirements for the M.A. degree are 30 credits of graduate coursework, including a 9-credit core consisting of microeconomics,
macroeconomics, and econometrics. The remaining 21 credits can be taken
in economics or from approved graduate courses in finance, business,
global affairs, or public administration. Students admitted to the five-year
B.A./M.A. program will take up to four courses for graduate credit during
their senior year and thus complete the M.A. degree with just one
additional year of full-time coursework. For more information about the program, contact the graduate program director.
Ph.D. in Economics
Offered by the Department of Economics at Rutgers–Newark, this program prepares students for scholarly research and teaching. Primary areas of interest are labor, gender and migration economics, international trade, development economics, urban and transportation economics, and applied microeconomics. This is a joint program with the Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick.
Requirements
Coursework, the qualifying examination, and the dissertation
A total of 72 credits is required for the doctoral degree. These must include:
- at least 18 credits in dissertation research
- at least 36 credits in degree courses
- 6 credits in the early research requirements
During the first two years, students are expected to take at least three
courses for degree credit each semester. They should then take the
qualifying examination in May at the end of their second academic year.
The last two years of the program should be devoted primarily to
completing the dissertation, though students may be advised to take some
additional courses. For more details concerning rules and requirements
that apply to all doctoral students in the Ph.D. in management program,
see the policies and procedures webpage.
Methodology requirement (4 courses)
- 26:220:551 or 26:711:561 Mathematics for Economists
- 26:220:507 or 26:223:554 Econometrics
- 26:223:655 Advanced Econometrics
- 26:960:575 Introduction to Probability
Students may substitute other methodology courses for courses in this list that can be waived on the basis of previous work.
Major (5 courses)
- 26:220:501 Microeconomic Theory
- 26:220:502 Macroeconomic Theory
- 26:223:685 Game Theory
Two additional doctoral courses in economics approved by the adviser, doctoral coordinator, and program director.
Minor (3 courses)
The minor must include at least three additional doctoral courses
approved by the adviser, departmental coordinator, and program director.
Normally they should be chosen to form a coherent program of study that
supports the student's dissertation. Some possible areas of
concentration for the minor, together with some appropriate courses:
Global Economics
- 26:220:518 International Trade
- 26:220:519 International Economics II
- 26:220:685 Development Economics
Financial Economics
- 26:390:571 Investments
- 26:390:572 Corporate Finance
- 26:390:685 Floating Finance Seminar
Methodology
- 26:198:621 Electronic Commerce
- 26:960:685 Modern Statistics
- 26:960:577 Introduction to Statistical Linear Models
- 26:198:622 Machine Learning
- 26:198:644 Data Mining
- 26:620:685 Survey Research
- 26:834:609 Qualitative Methods
- 26:830:545 Research Design
First early research requirement (equivalent to one course): Write a paper (usually a literature review) with a faculty member, to be presented to the department during the fall semester.
Second early research requirement (equivalent to one course):
Write a paper (ideally a dissertation proposal) with a faculty member,
to be presented to the department during the fall semester.
Preparation to teach: Students who enter the program
with financial support may need to be ready to teach an undergraduate
course in their specialty in order to be sure of having an employment
opportunity during the summer. Those who do not already have teaching
experience may want to consider the nondegree course in Teacher
Training Seminar that is offered each spring semester.
Writing proficiency requirement: In late May or early June at the end of the first year, students participate in the program-wide Intensive Writing Seminar.
Other rules and requirements: For details of rules and requirements that apply to all doctoral students in the Ph.D. in management program, see the policies and procedures webpage.
