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BA/MA Program

The program gives outstanding, qualified undergraduate economics majors an opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College and a Master of Arts degree from The Graduate School. Because the program is very demanding, admission is highly selective. Students interested in the program should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies early in their studies, certainly no later than fall quarter of the junior year. The program provides excellent preparation for further graduate study in economics or for professional positions in economic research.

Preparation

Potential candidates must carefully plan their first three years of undergraduate study in order to qualify for consideration. The following conditions must normally be met by the end of the candidate's junior year.

Course Credits

In their final year, the candidate must satisfy The Graduate School's requirements of three quarters of full-time graduate study, which consist of at least three, but no more than four, courses each quarter bearing graduate credit. Graduate-credit courses are those listed by The Graduate School; they include most courses at the 300 level and above.

The Graduate School allows a maximum of three courses to count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.  The MA degree requires 9 units.  At most, three units of these courses can be used to satisfy the 45 units required by WCAS to obtain an undergraduate degree.

Course Requirements

Total Units Required: 9
Course Title
Core Courses
ECON 401 Mathematical Methods of Economic Theory
ECON 410-1 Microeconomics
ECON 411-1 Macroeconomics
Either
ECON 410-2
& ECON 410-3
Microeconomics

or
ECON 411-2
& ECON 411-3
Macroeconomics
Economic History or Development
One of those listed below
ECON 315-0
Topics in Economic History
ECON 323-1
Economic History of the United States Before 1865
ECON 323-2
Economic History of the United States 1865 to Present
ECON 324-0
Western Economic History
ECON 325-0
Economic Growth & Development
ECON 326-0
The Economics of Developing Countries
ECON 327-0
Economic Development in Africa
ECON 420-1
American Economic History
ECON 420-2
European Economic History
ECON 425-1
Development Economics
ECON 425-2
Development Economics
ECON 425-3
Development Economics
Electives
Three additional approved Economics (300- or 400-level) courses, to be selected in consultation with, and approved by, the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Can include one unit of ECON 499-0 for students writing an independent thesis.

 Notes

Thesis Requirements

A thesis is required, either an independent one for the MA or one for honors in Economics or MMSS that is administered through those programs under an Economics advisor. The thesis must be an original piece of economics research of journal-article length. The thesis must be submitted no later than four weeks before the end of the student’s final quarter and deemed acceptable by two graduate faculty readers. A final oral examination on the thesis is conducted by the faculty readers. Students writing an independent thesis must enroll in Economics 499, Independent Study, for the quarter in which the thesis is submitted. Students writing a suitable thesis for honors in their undergraduate degree must register for an additional graduate-level (300 or 400-level) economics course that is selected in consultation with, and approved by, the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Additional Information

Undergraduates interested in this program should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies early in their studies, certainly no later than the fall quarter of the junior year.

After obtaining the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, students submit a formal application to enter the program to The Graduate School.

Read additional information by The Graduate School on Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Degrees.  Topics include status as an undergraduate or a graduate student and implications for financial aid.