Master of Science in Economics
We offer a Master of Science (MS) program in Economics, and we also offer a graduate-level Minor in Economics for students enrolled in other graduate programs at Baylor University. Please explore these programs with the links in the left column of this page.
Our MS Economics program is designed for two groups of students:
- Those who are preparing for direct entry to professional careers. Graduates of our program are working in consulting firms, forecasting groups, financial institutions, NGOs, public agencies, and other organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
- Those who are preparing for continued doctoral training in economics, finance, or other related disciplines. Our program has served as a helpful "bridge" between undergraduate and doctoral education for many domestic and international students.
Applicants are admitted on the basis of:
- Undergraduate record at an accredited college or university.
- Scores on the GRE (preferred) or GMAT examination.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Admission essays.
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for students whose undergraduate educations were NOT completed in English.
Financial assistance is available on a competitive basis. Some of our applicants are offered opportunities to work with faculty members as teaching and research assistants, and they are compensated with tuition remission and/or stipends.
Master of Science in Economics
Degree Requirements
Students may earn the Master of Science in Economics by fulfilling the requirements of one of the two options detailed below:
- Thesis option: Complete 24 hours of course work (including ECO 5001, 5002, 5310, and 5315) plus a six-hour thesis (30 credit hours total).Eighteen hours of course work must be in economics (prefixed by ECO), and 15 of these 18 hours must be at the 5000-level. Additionally, 18 hours of course work, whether within or outside of economics, must be at the 5000-level. Only those 4000-level courses approved for graduate credit (i.e., courses that appear in the Graduate Catalog) will count toward the degree's requirements.
- Non-thesis option: Complete 36 hours of course work (including ECO 5001, 5002, 5310, 5315, and 5343) (36 credit hours total). Twenty-four hours of course work must be in economics (prefixed by ECO), and 15 of these 24 hours must be at the 5000-level. Additionally, 24 hours of course work, whether within or outside of economics, must be at the 5000-level. Only those 4000-level courses approved for graduate credit (i.e., courses that appear in the Graduate Catalog) will count toward the degree's requirements.
Typical Degree Plan
Fall 1
ECO 5001 Research Seminar 0 hours
ECO 5315 Microeconomics 3 hours
ECO 5347 Econometrics 3 hours
ECO 5V98 Data Science 1 3 hours
Spring 1
ECO 5002 Research Seminar 0 hours
ECO 5310 Macroeconomics 3 hours
ECO 5349 Causal inference 3 hours
Elective
Fall 2
5V99 Thesis OR ECO 5343 History Economic Thought 3 hours (required for non-thesis option)
Elective
Elective
Spring 2
5V99 Thesis OR Elective
Elective
Elective
Economics Electives:
ECO 4345 Math Analysis in Economics 3 hours
ECO 5317 Government and regulation 3 hours
ECO 5318 Game Theory 3 hours
ECO 5320 Economics of Government 3 hours
ECO 5314 Experimental Economics 3 hours
ECO 5334 Economic Development 3 hours
ECO 5338 Comparative Economic Systems 3 hours
ECO 5330 International Trade 3 hours
ECO 5350 Health Economics 3 hours
ECO 5V98 Topics in Econometrics 3 hours
ECO 5V98 Data Science 2 3 hours
Other Electives:
Any 5000-level course or 4000-level course listed in the graduate catalog.