The M.A. in Economics is not intended as a stand-alone degree, but rather as an option for students admitted to the Ph.D. program. The optional M.A. serves as recognition of advancement in the degree program, though it is not a prerequisite for advancement. Ph.D. students will have the option to obtain the M.A. degree, either in route to a Ph.D. degree (non-terminal), or in lieu of a Ph.D. degree (terminal) if a student exits the graduate program prior to fulfilling the Ph.D. requirements. The recipient of an M.A. degree is understood to possess knowledge of a broad field of learning that extends well beyond that attained at the undergraduate level, but is not expected to have made a significant original and novel contribution to knowledge in Economics or to be able to use sophisticated methodological tools to conduct independent research. This structure is typical for Economics Ph.D. programs around the country. We anticipate that terminal M.A. graduates will be well prepared for quantitative careers in government and the private sector, where demand for the quantitative skills and training delivered is large.
