Program

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 three-credit courses, for a total of 30 graduate credits. All students must complete six core courses with an average grade of B or better:

• Microeconomic Theory I (220:501)
• Microeconomic Theory II (220: 502)
• Macroeconomic Theory I (220:503)
• Macroeconomic Theory II (220:504 )
• Statistical Analysis (220:506)
• Econometrics I (220:507)

The remaining 12 credits may be earned in any other graduate courses in economics or, with the consent of the graduate program director, in related disciplines (such as statistics and mathematics, public administration, global affairs, urban systems, and business).

This program is available to Rutgers University–Newark undergraduates majoring in economics who have an overall GPA of at least 3.5, 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 18-credit core consisting of microeconomics (I and II), macroeconomics (I and II), statistics and econometrics. The remaining 12 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. For more information about the program, contact the graduate program director.

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 (five courses)

• 26:220:501  Microeconomic Theory I
  
• 26:229:502  Microeconomic Theory II
  
• 26:220:503  Macroeconomic Theory I
  
• 26:220:504  Macroeconomic Theory I

One additional doctoral course in economics approved by the adviser, doctoral coordinator, and program director.

Minor (three 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

• 26:220:506  Statistical Analysis
• 26:220:507  Econometrics I
  
• 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 programwide 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.