Economics (M.S.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Joseph M. Santos, Professor/Graduate Coordinator
Department of Economics
DePuy Military Hall
605-688-4141
E-mail: joseph.santos@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/economics/graduate-programs-0

Program Information

The graduate curriculum in economics prepares students for professions in business and government as well as for further graduate study. The program is built on a core curriculum of economic theory, which consists of courses in advanced microeconomics, advanced macroeconomics, and econometrics, and allows students to design individualized programs in one of the following four areas of emphasis:

Agricultural Business
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Business Economics
General Economics

The Department of Economics offers an accelerated Master’s program, which allows qualified students to study towards a Master’s degree while completing their undergraduate degree. By combining course requirements for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, students enrolled in the accelerated Master’s program may be able to complete a Master’s degree within five years.

Course Delivery Format

The Department of Economics delivers graduate courses in a face-to-face format. On occasion, the department may deliver an elective course in an online format.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The Department of Economics prides itself on providing excellent academic programs and offers high-quality services to students. A limited number of research and teaching assistantships and scholarships may be available to qualified graduate students. The Economics Graduate Student Association (EGSA) supports graduate-student engagement opportunities, as well.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Science	Option A - Thesis	30 Credit Hours
	Option B - Research/Design Paper	32 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

ECON 531 - Managerial Economics Credits: 3
or ECON 704 - Advanced Microeconomics Credits: 3
DSCI 660 - Advanced Business Decision Science Credits: 3
or ECON 705 - Econometrics Credits: 3

Select one of the following options

Option A - Thesis

ECON 798 - Thesis Credits: 1-7 (5 credits required)
Approved Electives Credits: 19

Option B - Research/Design Paper

ECON 788 - Master’s Research Problems/Projects Credits: 1-2 (2 credits required)
Approved Electives Credits: 24

Total Required Credits: 30 (Option A), 32 (Option B)

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Department requirement of 575 paper-based, 90-91 Internet-based
IELTS: 6.0

The minimum prerequisites for unconditional admission into the program are successful completion of ECON 301, ECON 302, and undergraduate courses in statistics and calculus.

Two letters of reference are required.

Accelerated Master’s Program

Students may apply for admission into the accelerated Master’s program as early as the end of their sophomore year, but must have a GPA of at least 3.5 in Department of Economics courses to be considered for acceptance in the accelerated program. Students interested in the accelerated program should contact the Department of Economics graduate coordinator to obtain application requirements. Application and admission to the Graduate School is required.

Contact the Graduate Coordinator for further information.

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate work.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .