UMass Boston

MA Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements: 

• Completion of a course in calculus plus introductory macroeconomics, introductory microeconomics, and economic statistics (all with grades of B or better)
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess the applicant’s academic and/or professional preparation for graduate work

BA/MA Admission Requirements (Accelerated Master's Program)

• Complete at least 75, but not more than 90, undergraduate credits by the application due date
• Complete one course in college calculus with a grade of B or better
• Obtain a grade of B or better in introductory microeconomics, introductory macroeconomics, and statistics
• Take 30 credits and four economics courses in residence at UMass Boston and maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA (grade point average)
• Submit the same admissions documentation as BA-trained applicants to the MA program

Learn more about the Accelerated Master's Program for current UMass Boston undergraduate students.

Deadlines: April 1 (priority) and June 15 (final) for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu. Please refer to Financial Aid for more information.

Required Courses (18 Credits)

• ECON 601 - Applied Microeconomics 3 Credit(s)
• ECON 602 - Applied Macroeconomics 3 Credit(s)
• ECON 610 - Political Economy 3 Credit(s)
• ECON 650 - Applied Economic Research Practicum 1 Credit(s)
• ECON 651 - Quantitative Research Methods I 4 Credit(s)
• ECON 652 - Quantitative Research Methods II 4 Credit(s)

Electives (9 Credits)

Complete at least three courses from below.

At least six credits must be from the approved economic electives list. At least three credits must be from the approved quantitative methods list.

Approved Economics Electives:

• Any 600-level ECON courses not already required for the program
• PUBADM 602 - The New England Economic Environment 3 Credit(s)
• PPOL-G 602 - Political Economy of Class, Race and Gender 3 Credit(s)
• INTREL 614 - International Political Economy 3 Credit(s)

Approved Quantitative Methods Electives:

• ENVSCI 623L - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 Credit(s)
• GERON GR 760 - Policy Analysis Techniques 3 Credit(s)
• MSIS 680 - Advanced Data Mining 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 655 - Evaluation Research 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 660 - Fundamentals of Survey Methodology 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 661 - Designing and Evaluating Survey Questions 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 662 - Applied Survey Sampling - Design and Analysis 3 Credit(s)

Research Capstone or Thesis (5 Credits)

Candidates may substitute some or all of the five required credits with independent study credits that result in a capstone or thesis.

• ECON 698 - Mentored Research Project 1-5 Credit(s)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Upon completion of the MA, students will: 

1. Understand economics as a social science and that economic issues should be embedded in a broad approach to social analysis.
2. Develop advanced theoretical and empirical methods of economic analysis and the ability to use these methods to analyze economic issues, and to understand that Economics is a constantly evolving discipline with many unanswered questions and points of contention about what is right.
3. Develop thorough factual knowledge of the United States and international economies and be fluent in the concepts that are essential in organizing this knowledge. 
4. Develop an understanding of economic policy, be capable of adding to the debates surrounding the effectiveness of policy and have up-to-date familiarity with the instruments that are used by governments to affect economic activity both in the United States and in other countries.
5. Develop the communication and quantitative skills that play a distinctive role in economic analysis and in social science, policy making, and market analysis more broadly. 
6. Gain advanced skills that will help them obtain jobs and be effective in those jobs, with the understanding that an Economics degree provides students with a widely applicable set of skills and knowledge.

Complete 32 credits from ten courses including six required courses, three electives, and a research capstone or thesis.

Capstone: Completion of a research paper and oral presentation.

Statute of limitations: Five years.

Graduate Program Director Charalampos (Harry) Konstantinidis
konstantinidis [at] umb.edu
(617) 287-4785

Outreach Coordinator Maureen Boyle
maureen.boyle [at] umb.edu
(617) 287-6950