Master's Degree in Economics
A Master's Degree in Economics deepens understanding of economic theories and quantitative methods, preparing students for careers in business, government, or research.
About
The Master's Degree in Economics is a graduate-level program in the United States designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree, often in economics or related fields. It aims to provide advanced knowledge of economic theory, data analysis, and policy evaluation. This diploma suits those interested in understanding how economies function and in applying this knowledge to real-world problems.
- The program typically lasts between one and two years, depending on the institution and course load.
- It prepares graduates for roles in economic research, policy analysis, and business strategy.
- Students develop skills in quantitative analysis and economic modeling that are valuable in both public and private sectors.
- The degree is suitable for those aiming to work in government agencies, financial institutions, or international organizations.
- It also serves as a foundation for pursuing a doctoral degree in economics or related disciplines.
What you study
The curriculum for a Master's Degree in Economics combines theoretical courses with practical applications over one or two years. It builds on undergraduate knowledge and introduces more complex economic models and statistical methods.
- Core subjects often include microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, focusing on analyzing economic data.
- Students study quantitative methods such as statistics and mathematical modeling to interpret economic phenomena.
- Elective courses may cover topics like international economics, development economics, or financial economics.
- The program usually includes seminars and research projects to develop critical thinking and communication skills.
- Some programs offer opportunities for internships or applied projects to gain practical experience.
- The teaching approach balances lectures, group work, and individual assignments to prepare students for professional challenges.
How to get in
Admission to a Master's Degree in Economics in the US requires a bachelor's degree, often in economics, finance, or related fields. The process is competitive and focuses on academic preparation and motivation.
- Applicants usually need to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
- Many programs require standardized test scores such as the GRE, particularly the quantitative section.
- Strong skills in mathematics and statistics are expected for successful admission.
- Some programs may ask for relevant work experience or research background.
- The selection process evaluates academic records and the applicant’s potential to succeed in advanced economic studies.
Day to day
The daily life of a Master's student in Economics involves a mix of lectures, seminars, and independent work throughout the academic year. The workload can be intense but offers opportunities for practical learning.
- Students attend regular classes that include discussions and problem-solving sessions.
- They work on research papers and data analysis projects to apply theoretical knowledge.
- Some programs encourage or require internships during summer or academic breaks to gain hands-on experience.
- Group work and presentations are common to develop communication and teamwork skills.
- While alternance (work-study) is generally not common in US master's programs, students may engage in part-time jobs or research assistantships.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates with a Master's Degree in Economics have access to various career paths across sectors that require analytical and economic expertise. The job market values their ability to interpret data and advise on economic decisions.
- Common roles include economic analyst, policy advisor, and financial consultant.
- Graduates often find opportunities in government agencies that design and evaluate public policies.
- Private sector employers include banks, consulting firms, and multinational corporations.
- The degree also opens doors to international organizations focused on development and economic research.
- Generally, the job placement is favorable for graduates who combine strong quantitative skills with practical experience.
Continuing your studies
After completing the Master's Degree in Economics, students can continue their studies or shift to related fields depending on their interests and career goals.
- Many choose to pursue a PhD in Economics to engage in academic research or university teaching.
- Others may enroll in specialized master's or professional programs in finance, public policy, or business administration.
- Some graduates consider reorienting towards fields like data science or international relations to broaden their career options.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Eastern UniversitySaint Davids
- Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney
- State University of New York at OswegoOswego
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore
- New York UniversityNew York
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Boston UniversityBoston
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Brandeis UniversityWaltham
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- Boston CollegeBoston
- Duke UniversityDurham
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- University of ChicagoChicago
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- American UniversityWashington
- University of DenverDenver
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- University of HoustonHouston
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- University at BuffaloBuffalo
- University of DelawareNewark
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- Colorado School of MinesGolden
- Teachers College at Columbia UniversityNew York
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Southern Methodist UniversityDallas
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- Williams CollegeWilliamstown
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Hunter CollegeNew York
- RAND School of Public PolicySanta Monica
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh
- Rice UniversityHouston
- University of FloridaGainesville
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- University of ArizonaTucson
- University of California-DavisDavis
- Fordham UniversityBronx
- Princeton UniversityPrinceton
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz
- California Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis Obispo
- Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- Emory UniversityAtlanta
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose
- The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio
- Illinois State UniversityNormal
- University at AlbanyAlbany
- Brown UniversityProvidence
- City College of New YorkNew York
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- University of OregonEugene
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- New SchoolNew York
- Lehigh UniversityBethlehem
- Wayne State UniversityDetroit
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- Clemson UniversityClemson
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- Binghamton UniversityBinghamton
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- Claremont Graduate UniversityClaremont
- Western Illinois UniversityMacomb
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- Pace UniversityNew York
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- University of RochesterRochester
- Andrews UniversityBerrien Springs
- University of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln
- University of Massachusetts BostonBoston
- Drew UniversityMadison
- The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- Miami University-OxfordOxford
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & ManagementWright-Patterson AFB
- Washington State UniversityPullman
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- The University of Texas at DallasRichardson
- University of Detroit MercyDetroit
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- Howard UniversityWashington
- Montana State UniversityBozeman
- Marquette UniversityMilwaukee
- University of New HampshireDurham
- South Dakota State UniversityBrookings
- University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green
- Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro
- Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson
- University of KansasLawrence
- University of Nevada, RenoReno
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond
- California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
- University of WyomingLaramie
- Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondale
- Kent State University at KentKent
- Gallaudet UniversityWashington
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- California State University, East BayHayward
- Murray State UniversityMurray
- Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- University of North TexasDenton
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Clark UniversityWorcester
- University of MaineOrono
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti
- University of OklahomaNorman
- University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City
- California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Boise State UniversityBoise
- California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks
- Iowa State UniversityAmes
- Virginia TechBlacksburg
- St. Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud
- New Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- California Institute of TechnologyPasadena
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque
- Tulane UniversityNew Orleans
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland
- University of Missouri–St. LouisSaint Louis
- University of ArkansasFayetteville
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- Wright State UniversityDayton
- Catholic University of AmericaWashington
- Stanford UniversityStanford
- University of ToledoToledo
- Wichita State UniversityWichita
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- Rutgers University-NewarkNewark
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown
- University of California, RiversideRiverside
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasSan Juan
- University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- University of South FloridaTampa
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis
- University of MemphisMemphis
Frequently asked questions
What background do I need to apply for this master's degree?
You generally need a bachelor's degree in economics or a related field, with strong skills in mathematics and statistics. Some programs may accept students from other backgrounds if they demonstrate sufficient quantitative ability.
Is work experience required before admission?
Work experience is not always mandatory but can strengthen your application. Some programs value research experience or internships related to economics.
Can I work while studying this master's degree?
While the program is demanding, many students take part-time jobs or research assistantships. However, formal work-study programs are uncommon in US master's degrees in economics.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?
Graduates often work as economic analysts, policy advisors, or financial consultants in government, private companies, or international organizations.
Is it possible to continue to a PhD after this master's degree?
Yes, this master's degree is often a stepping stone to a PhD in economics or related fields if you want to pursue academic or high-level research careers.
Are internships part of the program?
Some programs include or encourage internships, which provide practical experience and help build professional networks.
How selective is admission to this program?
Admission is selective and based on academic records, test scores, and motivation. Strong quantitative skills are essential.
Can I specialize within the master's degree?
Yes, many programs offer electives or tracks in areas like international economics, development, or financial economics to tailor your studies.

























