Master of Arts in Economics
Overview
Duration
1 to 2 years (full time)
Required Credits
30
Location
UNLV campus
Five Reasons to Get a Master's Degree in Economics at UNLV:
- Boost career prospects and earning potential by sharpening interpersonal, analytical, and empirical problem-solving skills.
- Gain unique insight by conducting analysis grounded in fundamental economic theory.
- Develop and refine econometric and statistical skills in high-demand by the private and public sectors.
- Engage in research addressing important social, public-policy, and business-related issues; economics is everywhere.
- Learn while having fun interacting with faculty who are actively researching and contributing to the boundaries of economic knowledge.
Prepare for an Ever-Changing World
The master’s degree in economics provides technical training to quantitatively proficient students, shaping them into the business and policy leaders of tomorrow. By combining theoretical rigor with a focus on contemporary econometric methods, the program aims to expand critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while at the same time enhancing the ability to communicate complex information in a very simple and clear way.
The ability to think like an economist, while at the same time being proficient in working with large datasets using up-to-date empirical methods, enables individuals, businesses, and governments to better respond to threats and opportunities that arise daily.
“The Master of Arts in Economics program at UNLV gave me the skills and knowledge to launch my career and helped me land my dream job.”
Tony Foresta
M.A. Economics degree recipient, Spring ‘18
Admission Process
The master’s in economics is open to graduates from all undergraduate disciplines. You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at an international college or university.
Students must complete the following prerequisites before becoming a fully admitted student.
- Formal preparation for most applicants seeking the Master of Arts degree requires intermediate microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory.
- In addition, one semester of calculus and econometrics (or intermediate statistics) is required.
- Students falling short of the requirements for admission with full graduate standing may be admitted as graduate conditional students.
- GRE is required for admission, but GMAT may be substituted.
Prospective students must complete an application through the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Program Structure
The Master of Arts in Economics is a 30-credit hour program and can be completed in as little as 12 months; one-and-a-half to two years is the norm for full-time students. Many graduate courses are offered during evening hours, convenient for both working and full-time students. Students are encouraged to pursue the professional paper track.
Application Deadlines
Fall Term:
May 1 – International applicants
June 15 – Domestic or permanent residence applicants
Spring Term:
October 1 – International applicants
November 15 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants
Summer Term:
This program does not admit students for the summer term
Faculty
The department faculty are recognized experts in their area, publish in top-tier internationally recognized academic journals, and are engaged in their respective communities. Students have the opportunity to work with professors on empirical research projects very early on in the program. This provides graduates with hands-on experience that adds value to their education.
Ensuring a Successful Future
It is critical to understand how decisions are made, how markets work, and how economic forces drive social systems. Combined with using and analyzing data to understand such questions, individuals become equipped with the ability to make better decisions and thus capitalize on more opportunities. This allows graduates to work in almost any industry.
"I chose to pursue an M.A. in economics because it is a versatile degree that teaches you how to generate research and projects that create value in a world where value is subjective. The skills I've gained from this program have turned out to be very lucrative!"Meghan Azevedo
M.A. Economics degree recipient, Spring ‘19
Career Options
Graduate degree holders in economics are well-positioned in an ever-changing world because they have problem-solving and analytical skills that allow them to succeed in various career paths. Some of our graduates go on to pursue Ph.D. degrees at world-renowned universities, making the M.A. degree a valuable stepping stone in the process. Other pursue careers as professional economists, data analysts, and data scientists in the following areas:
- Business consulting
- Finance and investment banking
- Traditional banking
- Public policy
- Technology
- Government
- Academia
- Law
- Foreign affairs
- Public administration
- Health care administration
- Nonprofit organizations
A graduate degree in economics can boost your employability in many fields, offering jobs as:
- Professional Economist
- Data Analyst/Scientist
- Policy Analyst
- Investment Analyst
- Economic Researcher
- Financial Consultant
- Financial Risk Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Environmental Risk Analyst
Program Advisors Contact
Lee Business School
Department of Economics
Ian McDonough, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & S.J. Hall Faculty Fellow
Graduate Coordinator
702-895-3652
ian.mcdonough@unlv.edu
Prospective Student Contact
Lee Business School
Graduate Student Services
Lisa Davis, Ph.D.
Executive Director
702-895-3655
lisa.davis@unlv.edu
Catalog Information
Visit our Degrees Directory to view our catalog information.