Master of Science in Economics & Master of International Affairs (Combined)
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The Department of Economics and the Department of International Affairs offer students an opportunity to earn both a Master of Science in Economics (MS ECON) and a Master of International Affairs (MIA) in three years. Students are provided rigorous advanced training in economics, econometrics, analytical and quantitative skills, international policies, global economy, American foreign policy, and research methods. Those with a disposition toward leadership will be better prepared for careers in business, government, nongovernmental organizations, and public service.
In this combined master’s program, students follow a strictly defined 78-credit-hour curriculum to complete all requirements for both degrees (that normally each take two years) in this shortened 3-year time frame. These degrees provide students with a total of 66 unduplicated hours (30 credit hours for the MS ECON and 36 credit hours for the MIA) and a maximum of 12 credit hours that can double count towards both degrees.
Combined master’s students apply to the MS ECON program first and if admitted, enroll in the MS ECON program for their first year. In the fall of their first year, admitted MS ECON students apply to the MIA degree. If admitted, they enroll in MIA courses (specifically in the International Development & Economic Policy – IDEP – track) during their second year. Students complete their final year of the combined program by completing their capstone project and remaining coursework in both departments. Additionally, to graduate, students are required to satisfy the MIA degree’s foreign language requirement.
After successful completion of all requirements for both degrees, the student will graduate with a Master of Science in Economics and Master of International Affairs. Alternatively, if a student decides during their study to drop one of the degrees, the requirements will revert to the normal requirements for the primary degree.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Master of Science in Economics Degree
The Master of Science in Economics STEM program provides rigorous advanced in-person training in economics, econometrics, and analytical and quantitative skills for students to prepare them for immediate careers in business or government. The program has a structured curriculum consisting of a total of 36 credit hours (13 courses):
Within the combined degree program, students complete the MS ECON degree in 18 months by double counting up to 6 credit hours of MIA courses toward the degree.
Master of International Affairs Degree
The Master of International Affairs, International Development & Economic Policy (IDEP) track, is a non-thesis program that prepares students for careers in government, private industry, nongovernmental organizations, financial institutions, and more. The curriculum includes seminars taught by a multi-disciplinary faculty of academics and practitioners. The curriculum consists of 48 credit hours (16 courses):
- 15 credit hours of core courses in international politics, the global economy, research methods, American foreign policy, and a capstone;
- 9 credit hours in an IDEP track concentration;
- 9 credit hours in another MIA concentration;
- a summer internship or intensive language and cultural study;
- 15 credit hours of electives
Additionally, MIA students are required to pass a foreign language proficiency exam in a second language to graduate. Language training is in addition to prescribed courses. We provide Rosetta Stone licenses and group conversation practice to prepare.
Within the combined degree program, students are able to complete the MIA degree in only 18 months by double counting up to 12 credit hours of MS ECON courses toward the MIA.
MS ECON–MIA Combined Degree
Students take graduate courses simultaneously between the programs to complete both degrees in three years. An MS ECON student may double count no more than 6 credit hours of MIA courses toward the ECON portion, while MIA students can count no more than 12 credit hours of ECON courses toward the MIA portion. This will not reduce the total number of credits required for the MS ECON and MIA degrees as part of this agreement. Students who complete both degree requirements for the MS ECON and MIA programs will receive their diplomas concurrently.
Courses that can double count toward both degree requirements.
- ECMT 673 (MS ECON Core) = BUSH 635 (MIA-IDEP Track Core)
- ECON 614 (ECON Concentration Elective) = INTA 630 (MIA Elective)
- ECON 617 (ECON Concentration Elective) = INTA 608 (MIA Core)
- * ECON 675 (MS ECON Core) = INTA 670 (MIA Core)
* can only double count if capstone topic is international affairs and economics related
MS ECON: 36 unique credit hours (9-12 hrs of which can double count toward MIA)
- 15 credit hours of core courses in economics, econometrics, and capstone
- 6 credit hours of elective courses in economics or econometrics; and
- 15 credit hours of electives; and
- an optional internship.
MIA: Students complete at least 36-39 unique credit hours (9-12 hrs of MS ECON courses double count)
- 6 credit hours of core courses (9 credit hours if ECON 675 capstone is not international affairs related)
- 9 credit hours in an IDEP track concentration;
- 9 credit hours in another MIA concentration;
- 12 credit hours of electives; and
- a no credit summer internship or intensive language immersion; and
- pass a foreign language proficiency exam in a second language.
