The MA in Economics is designed to prepare qualified students for advanced work in economics and related fields by providing foundational skills in economic theory and econometrics.

Options Available

Thesis

Course Only with Comprehensive Exam

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Admission to the MA program is based on undergraduate academic performance
• Scores from the general portion of the GRE
• Recommendations

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• Required Economics Courses (12 credit hours)
  • ECON 511  
  • ECON 512  
  • ECON 513  
  • ECON 514  
• Option Requirements
  • Thesis Option
    • One additional elective ECON course at the 500-level (3 credit hours)
    • ECON 500  (6 credit hours)
  • Course Only with Examination Option
    • Two additional elective ECON courses at the 500-level (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• Electives
  • Thesis Option (9 credit hours)
    • A maximum of 6 credit hours may be in an area other than economics such as statistics (STAT) or finance (FINC).
  • Course Only with Examination Option (12 credit hours)
    • A maximum of 9 credit hours may be in an area other than economics.
• Other Program Information
  • Thesis Option
    • 30 credit hours of course work at the 400-level or above, including at least 24 credit hours at the 500- level or above.
  • Course Only with Examination Option
    • 30 credit hours of course work at the 400-level or above. Of these, at least 24 credit hours (of which at least 18 are in economics) must be at the 500-level or above.
  • Both Options
    • No more than 6 credit hours may be at the 400-level.

Non-Course Requirements

• Thesis Option
  • Preparation and defense of a thesis.
• Course Only with Examination Option
  • Students electing this option are required to pass a qualifying examination in either microeconomic or macroeconomic theory.