2025-2026 Graduate Catalog Economics

This option is appropriate for students whose interests lie outside one of the applied fields noted above and for those who intend to pursue doctoral level studies in economics or a related discipline.

Option I - Non-Thesis

The 33-hour program includes: 

• 18 hour core: ECO 437, ECO 438, ECO 439, ECO 440, ECO 441, and ECO 495 
• 3 hours: ECO 492 
• 12 hours in Economics electives at the 400-level 

Option II - Thesis

The 33-hour program includes: 

• 18 hour core: ECO 437, ECO 438, ECO 439, ECO 440, ECO 441, and ECO 495 
• 6 hours: Thesis ECO 499 
• 9 hours in Economics electives at the 400-level 

Applied Community and Economic Development Sequence

The Applied Community and Economic Development (ACED) sequence is designed for returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and students with equivalent domestic or international experience with other agencies.

This 33-hour program includes: 

• 18 hours: ECO 437, ECO 438, ECO 440, ECO 441, ECO 492, and ECO 495 
• 15 hour ACED core: ECO 406, POL 470/SOC 470, POL 477/SOC 477, ECO 478/POL 478/SOC 478, and ECO 498A03 or ECO 498A90 (5 hours—the sequence ends with a required 11-month internship arranged through the Stevenson Center)

Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications Economics Sequence

This sequence emphasizes the application of economic analysis to the telecommunications, electric, and natural gas industries.

This 33-hour program includes: 

• 18 hour core: ECO 437, ECO 438, ECO 439, ECO 440, ECO 441, and ECO 495 
• 3 hours: ECO 492 
• 12 hours: ECO 434, ECO 435, and ECO 436; ECO 498A02 (3 hours), or a 3-hour 400-level elective within Economics may serve as a substitute for ECO 498A02

Financial Economics Sequence

This sequence provides students training in the financial theory of the firm, financial markets and institutions to complement their training in applied economic analysis.

This 33-hour program includes: 

• 21 hour core: ECO 437, ECO 438, ECO 439, ECO 440, ECO 441, ECO 444, and ECO 495 
• 3 hours: ECO 492
• 6 hours of finance courses: MBA 440 and 3 hours in an FIL 400-level elective 
• 3 hours of additional electives at the 400-level within Economics and selected in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.

Students in the graduate program in the Department of Economics who satisfy the following requirements may take graduate level finance courses offered by the College of Business: (1) The student must have taken and passed ECO 437 with a grade of B or better; (2) The student must have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or above.

Quantitative Economics Sequence

This sequence is designed for students who intend to pursue doctoral level studies in economics or related fields.

This 33-hour (or more) program includes: 

• 18 hour core: ECO 437, ECO 438, ECO 439, ECO 440, ECO 441, and ECO 495 
• 3 hours: ECO 492
• 12 or more hours from the list of MAT courses: MAT 437, MAT 446, MAT 447, MAT 448, MAT 455, MAT 456, MAT 461.