Social and Applied Economics, MS

Program Description:

The Department of Economics offers a professionally oriented graduate program that leads to a Master of Science in Social and Applied Economics. This program is designed to develop professional economists who can solve contemporary economic problems with a unique set of skills created by a curriculum that combines applied economics with social economics. In doing so, the program bridges the gap between research and the application of research for use in a wide variety of business and government professions. Students are encouraged to develop and evaluate new approaches to economic problem solving. The curriculum stresses research and field experience, which is complemented by the faculty’s teaching and research emphasis on the interplay of theory and applications.

Admissions Requirements:

An applicant for graduate study in the Social and Applied Economics Program is required to meet the general requirements of the Graduate School and also to be accepted by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Economics. Students need not have an undergraduate degree in economics to enter this program; however, the student’s undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and, if applicable, graduate GPA will be considered. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is required. (Students selecting the dual degree with the MBA may substitute the GMAT for the GRE.)

Application forms for admission and for the GRE are available in the Office of the Chair of the Department of Economics or from the Graduate School. Both full- and part-time students are accepted for admission to the program.

Faculty:

Professors

John P. Blair-urban and regional economics; Dayton real estate markets and urban futures

Berkwood M Farmer-agricultural economics; banking, and economic policy and development

Rudy Fichtenbaum-labor economics; collective bargaining; poverty and discrimination and applied econometrics

Evan W. Osborne-law and economics; globalization; development economics; economics of conflict; sports economics; diversity and
multiculturalism

Thomas Traynor-Department Chair, industrial organization and regulation, econometrics, forecasting, and applied microeconomics

Associate Professors

Barbara E. Hopkins-Chinese economy, comparative economic systems, gender and economic transition

Sirisha C. Naidu-environmental and ecological economics, economics of development and conservation

Zdravka Todorova-institutional economics, macroeconomics, monetary theory

Assistant Professor

Hee Young Shin - macroeconomics, monetary economics, economic development, economic history, history of economic thought

Program Requirements:

Candidates for the Master of Science degree in Social and Applied Economics must successfully complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in courses numbered 600 or above, exclusive of prerequisite survey courses. Of the total 30 hours, 27 must be taken in the department. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses. No more than six semester credit hours of C grades may be applied toward the degree. As many as six graduate credit hours may be transferred into the M.S. Program in Social and Applied Economics by petition to the Graduate Studies Committee in the Department of Economics and subject to approval by the Graduate School.

All candidates will complete the Economics Problems Seminar (EC7800) which serves as the Capstone Course for the core courses of the M.S. Program in Social and Applied Economics. This course is designed to draw on the program’s in-depth study of economics including a firm understanding of the mathematical and statistical tools and economic research methods necessary to be a practicing economist. An option for an internship or thesis can be pursued by those students desiring to further incorporate applied learning into their educational experience. Students selecting this option can satisfy elective credit through an approved internship or thesis. Detailed information on internship objectives and standards is available from the director of the M.S. Program in Social and Applied Economics.

Dept Core and Electives

I. Prerequisites*

Calculus for Social Sciences or Business
Basic Business Statistics or equivalent
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics

II. Required Courses (Semester Hours): 24 Hours

EC 7090 - Econometrics and its Applications Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7120 - Time Series Analysis and Economic Forecasting Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7150 - Applied Microeconomics Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7170 - Applied Macroeconomics Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7240 - Development of Economic Thought Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7250 - Economic, Social and Ecological Systems Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7260 - Contemporary Political Economy Credit Hour(s): 3
EC 7800 - Economic Problems Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Electives: 6 Hours

6000- or 7000-level EC courses. Approval of Program Director and Graduate Studies Committee is required for electives taken outside of the Department of Economics.

Note(s):

* Prerequisites are waived for students with equivalent coursework.