The Department of Economics and Finance offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Economics with the opportunity for specialization in areas within economics and for coursework in areas outside Economics. Some suggested areas for specialization within Economics are Regulation, International Economics, Applied Business Economics, and Border Economics. Some suggested areas for the minor or for interdisciplinary work are Border Studies, Finance, and Computer Information. All proposed degree plans must be approved by the Graduate Advisor and by the Graduate School.

Thesis and non-thesis programs are available. Students enrolled in the thesis program must take 24 hours of coursework in addition to completing the thesis, for which six (6) hours of credit are given. The non-thesis option requires a total of 36 hours of coursework.

The ability to take coursework in areas outside Economics is available either through completion of a minor, with as many as 12 hours and a minimum of six (6) hours, or through the interdisciplinary program. The interdisciplinary program is a 36-hour program with a minimum of 18 hours in Economics.

The Department of Economics and Finance also participates in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Accountancy (MACY) degrees, the requirements for which are found under the Woody L. Hunt College of Business and Accounting sections in this catalog.

Admission Requirements

Students should see the Introduction to the Woody L. Hunt College of Business. In addition to the requirements listed there, prospective students should have completed coursework in intermediate economic theory and quantitative methods prior to applying to the MS program.

• Undergraduate transcripts for cumulative GPA and success in upper division economics, mathematics, and statistics courses. 
• Statement of purpose for written communication skills. 

• Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the Graduate School website for required scores.