About

Are you interested in applying the principles of economics to work in industry, government or nonprofit organizations? Are you seeking more marketable, state-of-the-art skills?

The master of science program in economics combines the analytical framework of modern economic theory and the quantitative methods of applied econometrics with special emphasis on the following areas: coastal resources and environmental economics; economic forecasting, financial economics; health care; and issues of poverty and regional development.

The program provides an ideal background for work in industry, government and nonprofit positions requiring the combination of analytical skills and institutional background. Although it is an excellent preparation for further graduate work in economics, it was conceived specifically to provide graduates with up-to-date and marketable skills. One of the strengths of the program is in the small class sizes and a close working relationship with the faculty. Faculty who are active contributors to the areas in which they teach conducts all graduate field courses.

The structure of the program reflects the research interests of the faculty. Some of the faculty conduct research and teach in areas of macroeconomics, but the preponderant emphasis within the department is on neoclassical microeconomics applied to areas such as coastal and marine resources, environmental economics, health care, labor economics, regional development and income distribution.

ECU Advantage

The program design includes a healthy measure of theory and econometric technique. The structure of the program reflects the conviction that people best learn economics by doing economics: our elective courses are taught as applications of the theory and technique courses and encourage students to define all research questions in a manner that will permit empirical testing.

A successful working economist must not only master the statistical techniques of modern empirical research, but must also be able to convey the results of this research in a persuasive and articulate manner. Our program accordingly gives students ample opportunity to develop necessary analytical and presentation skills. The department also conducts regular economics seminars at which our faculty and invited external speakers present their latest research.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Philip Rothman (424-A Brewster Building; 252-328-6151; rothmanp@ecu.edu)

The Quantitative Economics and Econometrics, MS combines the analytical framework of modern economic theory with the quantitative methods and programming skills of applied econometrics.

Applicants to the quantitative economics and econometrics degree program must meet the admissions requirements of the Graduate School, submit three letters of recommendation, make an acceptable score on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and have had at least one undergraduate course each in introductory statistics and differential calculus. Nonnative speakers must make an acceptable score on the TOEFL. Undergraduate courses in intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics are strongly recommended.

The degree requires a minimum of 33 s.h. as follows:

1. Core courses - 27 s.h.
  • ECON 5360 - Mathematical Economics
  • ECON 6111 - SAS Programming for Research I
  • ECON 6112 - SAS Programming for Research II
  • ECON 6113 - Python Programming
  • ECON 6301 - Econometrics I
  • ECON 6302 - Econometrics II
  • ECON 6390 - Research I
  • ECON 6391 - Research II
  • ECON 6401 - Microeconomic Theory I
2. Electives - 6 s.h.

Electives may be taken outside the department with the approval of the graduate director.

    3. Comprehensive examination

    A comprehensive examination is administered after completion of the following:

    • ECON 5360 - Mathematical Economics
    • ECON 6111 - SAS Programming for Research I
    • ECON 6112 - SAS Programming for Research II
    • ECON 6301 - Econometrics I
    • ECON 6302 - Econometrics II
    • ECON 6401 - Microeconomic Theory I
      • Note:

      The examination will test skills in applied theory, econometrics, and programming. Successful performance on this examination is necessary to continue in program.

      4. Research
        a. Research skills:

        Four of the core courses listed above constitute 12 s.h. of research skills in quantitative methods and research methodology:

        • ECON 5360 - Mathematical Economics
        • ECON 6301 - Econometrics I
        • ECON 6302 - Econometrics II
        • ECON 6390 - Research I
        b. Research project:

        The final component, ECON 6390 (research project) is the culmination of student's analytical work and is designed to demonstrate applied research skills.

        For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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