M.S. in Economics

The School of Economics offers a Master of Science degree for those desiring to pursue economics at an advanced level. Grounded in applied economic theory and econometrics, this is a 3 semester program that prepares students for professional careers in the private and public sectors as well as for more advanced training in economics doctoral programs. Although the Master's curriculum is flexible in allowing students to tailor areas of specialization to their specific interests, the program is particularly well suited to those interested in industrial organization, technology, innovation, international trade, and economic development.

Core courses in the program require that students take microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, research methods, probability and statistics, and econometrics. In addition to the core, students must also complete a total of four courses that reflect two areas of concentration consistent with students' interests. An advantage of the Master's program is that it allows students to complete their areas of concentration by taking some courses in units outside the School of Economics, including the Dupree College of Management, the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, the School of Public Policy, the School of Industrial Systems Engineering, and the School of City and Regional Planning.

Students admitted into the Master's program are also encouraged to pursue a summer internship. This allows students to apply their economic knowledge and statistical tools to problems that are encountered in professional, private, and public sector environments. For more information feel free to print out a brochure.

How To Apply

All persons interested in graduate work in Economics must take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). In addition, foreign students must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language).

To initiate the application process:

• go to the Georgia Tech Graduate Admissions home page and fill out the pre-application form online (http://www.grad.gatech.edu/admissions);
  
  and
  
• fill out the School of Economics application at School of Economics application packet and mail these documents to the School of Economics.
  

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission in the Fall semester. Core courses in the School of Economics are offered in sequence and not all core courses are offered each semester. In order to satisfy the degree's requirements, students admitted in the Spring semester may have to spend four rather than three semester's in the program.

Funding

Each year there are a limited number of graduate research assistantships (GRAs) that provide students with tuition waivers and a monthly stipend. The Gras are awarded to the best students on a competitive basis.

Internships

Internships offer the ability to apply their economic and statistical tools to 'real world' problems and to see the role that economics plays in public and private sector environments. Generally, a number of government and business internships are available during the summer and students are encouraged to pursue these valuable opportunities.

Career Opportunities

The Master's program in Economics prepares students for many professional career tracks. The program's emphasis upon quantitative economic analysis and econometric methods gives students the necessary skills for employment positions in business and economic consulting firms, banking and finance, and corporations with economic and market research departments. Students also have employment opportunities with state and federal governments and other non-profit organizations that undertake policy analysis.