2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Economics (M.S.)


Program Coordinator/Contact

Joseph M. Santos, Professor/Graduate Program Coordinator
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall
605-688-4141

Program Information

The graduate program in economics prepares students for professions in business and government as well as for advanced studies in economics and finance. Program requirements include one course in microeconomics (advanced microeconomic theory or advanced managerial economics) and one course in quantitative analysis (econometrics or advanced business decision science).  The program offers two curriculum options: an economic theory option and an applied business-economics option.  In any case, students customize their plans of study, emphasizing one of the following four subject areas.

  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Business Economics
  • General Economics

The Ness School of Management and Economics offers an accelerated master’s program, which allows qualified students to work toward their master’s degree in economics while they complete their undergraduate degree. This accelerated program is available to qualified undergraduate students who maintain an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Analytical reasoning: Graduates will be able to apply economic theories and quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to analyze and evaluate economic outcomes and to make decisions.
  • Communication: Graduates will be able to communicate economic-research outcomes, and the analysis underlying these outcomes, in oral and written forms to diverse audiences.
  • Ethical Reasoning: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the capacity to evaluate ethical matters within the context of the discipline. (Transferable Skill: Ethics - Moral Decision Making/Moral Reasoning)
  • Core economics knowledge: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of economic terminology, mathematical and graphical tools and representations, institutions, common economic variables, and general habits of economic thought.

Course Delivery Format

The Ness School of Management and Economics generally delivers graduate courses in a face-to-face format.  On occasion, the department delivers an elective course in an online format.  The school delivers its business-economics curriculum-option courses in flexible formats, including evening, weekend, and blended courses.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The Ness School of Management and Economics prides itself on providing excellent academic programs and offering high-quality services to students. A limited number of research and teaching assistantships and scholarships may be available to qualified students enrolled in the economic research curriculum option. 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

Select one of the following options


Option A - Thesis


Option B - Research/Design Paper


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

Two letters of reference and a letter of intent are required.  In the letter of intent, the applicant should identify their interests in the graduate program, address how their skills - including those the applicant attained in their undergraduate program - align with our graduate program, and address any undergraduate coursework in which the applicant earned below a B.  The letter of intent should be roughly 500 to 750 words long.

Accelerated Master’s Program


The program offers an accelerated master’s degree to qualified undergraduate students who maintain an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5; these students may begin their graduate studies while they complete their undergraduate degree.  Students may apply for admission to the accelerated master’s degree program once they have completed 60 undergraduate credits.  Students interested in the accelerated master’s degree should contact the Ness School of Management and 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 coursework.

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