The Master of Arts degree in Economics can be pursued along one of three tracks.
Option I is a 30-credit hour degree program that requires a thesis. Option II is
a 36-credit hour terminal degree program (not intended to lead into the Ph.D. program)
with flexible requirements. Option III is a 36-credit hour program intended to prepare
students for the Ph.D. program. The degree can ordinarily be earned in four semesters
of full-time course work.
A set of core courses including microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics
is required of all masters students. Students specialize in a major field of their
choice. The final requirement is that of passing a comprehensive examination in
that field.
The fields of concentration in the program are:
- Comparative and Regional Development
- Econometrics
- Economic Education
- Economic History
- Feminist Economics
- Industrial Organization and Regulation
- Institutional Economics
- International Trade and Finance
- Labor Economics
- Monetary Economics
- Public Economics
Admission
The department does not employ a rigid formula for admission. Instead, the admissions
committee makes decisions after reviewing the applicant's undergraduate record,
GRE scores preferred, GMAT scores
acceptable substitute, TOEFL
scores if applicable, letters of recommendation, background, grades in economics
courses, preparation in mathematics and statistics, and the applicant's statement
outlining goals and objectives for studying economics at the graduate level. MA
students are expected to have intermediate level training in economics (both macroeconomics
and microeconomics) in their backgrounds. In addition, MA students are expected
to have adequate mathematical backgrounds including at least one rigorous course
in calculus and statistics. Any course deficiencies identified at the time of admission
must be removed in the first semester of enrollment.
Admission Requirements:
When you are ready to apply, some of the items will need to be sent to the Office
of Graduate Studies; others will have to be mailed to the Graduate Advising Office
in the College of Business Administration.
The following documents should be sent to:
Office of Graduate Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1100 Seaton Hall
P.O. Box 880619
Lincoln, NE 68588-0619
Phone: (402) 472-2875
a. Graduate Application Form
b. $45.00 Application fee (check or money order made payable to UNL).
c. Two copies of official Undergraduate transcripts.
d. Two copies of official Graduate transcripts.
International students should also include:
a. Financial resource certification form: available here
b. TOEFL score sent from Educational Testing Service -or- IELTS score (www.ielts.org)
After all documents indicated above have been sent to the Office of Graduate Studies,
the following documents should be sent to:
Graduate Advising Office
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
CBA 125
P.O. Box 880405
Lincoln, NE 68588-0405
Phone: (402) 472-2338
Fax: (402) 472-5180
a. CBA Application: The form can be submitted online here,
or printed out and mailed.
b. Official GRE scores or GMAT scores; Sent by the Educational Testing Service.
Note: Applicants from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Korea should submit paper-based
GRE or GMAT scores.
c. Three letters of recommendation: Recommendation forms are available here (61k PDF).
d. Statement of purpose.
Application for Admissions Deadlines
|
Semester entering
|
U.S. Students
|
International Students
|
|
Fall
|
June 30
|
March 1
|
|
Spring
|
October 31
|
October 1
|
Financial Aid and Assistantships
The department awards three to four assistantships to new students each year. These
appointments are either teaching or research assistantships and carry stipends that
are competitive with those offered by other graduate institutions. Assistantships
provide a full tuition waiver, stipend for up to four years and medical insurance.
Applicants desiring consideration for assistantships should indicate their preference
on the CBA application for admission form. No separate application for financial
aid is required. (Preference in financial assistance awards is given to Ph.D. applicants,
but M.A. applicants are considered as well.)
For your convenience, here are the UNL institution code and Department codes you
will need for the GRE, TOEFL, and TSE exams:
- Institution code for GRE, TOEFL, TSE: 6877
- Department code for GRE: 1801
- Department code for TOEFL/TSE: 84
Assistantship decisions for the fall semester are typically made in February and
March. Recipients are notified on or about April 1. Duties of first-year recipients
of assistantships will likely include assisting professors with their instructional
duties.
International applicants will be required to submit evidence of spoken English ability
to be considered for teaching assistantships.
For more information on financial assistance, consult our FAQ
page on financial assistance.
Additional Information
For additional information on the Economics Graduate Program, please contact the
program director:
Dr. Matthew Cushing
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Department of Economics
CBA 352
P.O. Box 880489
Lincoln, NE 68588-0489
