Department of
Economics MA - Applied Economics
Masters - Applied Economics Track
This track provides rigorous training in economics and is designed for
students seeking jobs in either the private or public sectors. The first
year coursework of this program coincides with the first year coursework of
the Ph.D. program, so this track is also appropriate for students who might
wish to purse a Ph.D. degree. Please note that students can only begin
the Applied Track during the fall semester.
This track requires (1) successful completion of 32 credit hours of
coursework as described below, (2) an MA pass or better on the Core I
Examination, and (3) a pass grade on the Comprehensive Examination.
Previous Coursework
Applicants usually have a bachelor's degree in economics but this is not
a prerequisite. Some course work in economics including both intermediate
micro- and macroeconomics is required prior to starting the program. All
applicants need a good working knowledge of mathematics and basic statistics.
At least two semesters of calculus and one semester of basic statistics or
their equivalents are required. A previous course in linear algebra is highly
recommended.
Coursework
The first year coursework parallels the Ph.D.
program. It includes the following:
Fall Semester
ECON 5153 –
Math for Economists
ECON 5123 –
Advanced Price and Welfare Theory
ECON 5163 –
Advanced Macroeconomics and Growth Theory
Spring
Semester
ECON 6313 –
Seminars in Macro and Growth Theory
ECON 6213 –
Seminar in Price and Welfare Theory
ECON 5213 –
Econometrics I
There are no required courses for the second year of the
program. Rather, students must take a minimum of four courses (12 credit
hours). Course selections must be approved by the Graduate Program
Director, and can include electives outside of economics.
All students must enroll in ECON 5940 - Research in Economic Problems (2
hours), for which they will write a research paper. A faculty supervisor
for the paper must be arranged before a student can enroll in ECON 5940.
The Core Examination
The purpose of the core examination is to assure that the student has a
firm foundation in economic analysis prior to taking advanced courses. The
Economics Department Core Examination is given in August prior to the
beginning of the student's second year. The exam has three portions. The
first portion consists of microeconomic theory and tests over the material
taught in ECON
5123 and ECON
6213. The second portion consists of macroeconomic theory and tests over
material taught in ECON 5163
and ECON
6313. The third portion consists of statistics and econometrics questions
and test over the material taught in ECON 5153
and ECON
5213. Grades are M.A. Pass and Fail. All parts must be passed at the M.A.
Pass level.
In the event that the student fails to pass any or all portions at the
M.A. Pass level, a retake opportunity is provided. The retake exam is given
in the next semester, during the week prior to the beginning of classes for
the spring semester. The student need only retake those parts in which a
grade less than M.A. Pass was received. Only one retake is provided. If the
student fails to obtain a M.A. Pass on the second effort, that student is
required to leave the M.A. program.
The Comprehensive Examination
This Comprehensive Examination tests over the course material that the
student has covered in their formal coursework, with emphasis given to those
courses taken in the second year of their academic study. The Comprehensive
Examination must be taken no later than the first semester after the student
has completed her coursework. If the student fails, she may repeat the
examination one more time during the following semester or later.
Advising
All M.A. students in the Applied Economics will be advised by the
Graduate Program Director (GPD). In no circumstances will a student will be
allowed to alter their course curriculum without the permission of the GPD
and all elective course selections are to be approved by the GPD. Among other
responsibilities, the GPD is responsible for the administration of the Core
and Comprehensive Examination.
Application Requirements
The Department of Economics evaluates each applicant individually in
order to select for admission those applicants who have the aptitude,
scholarship, and analytical skill necessary to successfully complete an
advanced degree. In order to form an opinion about an applicant's aptitude,
scholarship, and analytical ability we require the following information.
1. Transcript
of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
2. Scores
on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) aptitude test. (To insure that these scores
are current, the exam must have been taken in the last two years.)
3. Three
(3) letters of recommendation.
4. Statement
of purpose
The Graduate College of the
University of Oklahoma has specific admission requirements of:
1. a
minimum B average over the last 60 hours of undergraduate study or the last 12
hours of graduate study;
2. (for non-native English speaking applicants) a TOEFL score
of 550 or higher.
The Department of Economics does not have specific admission requirements
(e.g. minimum GRE scores). Rather, an admissions committee recommends
admission on the basis of GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and prior
academic record. All these sources of information are helpful in the
evaluation of an applicant's ability to pursue an advance degree.
Consequently, applications will not be considered unless all information is
available.
Applying to the Program
To apply you submit a completed admissions application to the University of
Oklahoma (online or via mail), the application fee and all required
application materials. Please be sure to indicate whether you wish to
apply to the Applied Track or the Managerial Economics
track. Submit your application form, fee, transcripts, and TOEFL scores to:
Office of
Admissions and Records
University
of Oklahoma
1000
Asp Avenue
Norman,
OK 73019-4076
Supporting materials for Applied Track applicants (GRE scores, letters of
recommendation, and statement of purpose) should be sent directly to the Economics
Department.
Academic Misconduct
All graduate students are expected to be familiar with what constitutes
academic misconduct. Misconduct or plagiarism in the writing the
research paper or any other paper is a very serious offense and will be
punished accordingly. For information about what constitutes misconduct as
well as the University’s procedures for academic misconduct, click here.
Contact Information
Questions about application materials: Ms.
Tami Kinsey, (405) 325-2863
Academic Advising: Dr. Cynthia Rogers
copyright | disclaimer
|