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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

To receive the M.A. degree in Economics with the completion of a thesis paper, 33 hours of graduate coursework as approved by the Faculty Program Director.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus, Online

Students entering the program have the flexibility to choose to take all courses fully online or to take a combination of in-person and online courses.

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

Fall:

  • Early deadline: February 15
  • Regular deadline: April 1
  • Late deadline: June 1

Spring:

  • Early deadline: October 1
  • Late deadline: November 1

Summer:

  • Does not admit

Economics, M.A.

Leveraging Georgia State University’s internationally renowned economics faculty and research centers, the STEM-designated Master of Arts (M.A.) in Economics program at GSU’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies takes a pioneering approach to economics that emphasizes public policy and empirical evaluation.

Our broad and customizable curriculum combines the latest theoretical advances with the analytical skills and practical experience you’ll need to tackle the complex problems facing analysts and economists today. As a student in our innovative program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of economic theories as they apply to:

  • The environment
  • Education
  • Economic development
  • Healthcare
  • Public finance
  • Social welfare and other pressing public issues.

The economics master's degree prepares you for:

  • Careers in the private sector and in local, state and federal government.
  • Doctoral programs in economics and other disciplines or teaching careers at the secondary level.
  • Applying complex analytical skills that utilize micro and macroeconomic theory and mathematical statistics, combining the qualities of advanced coders as well as deep thinkers.
  • An economics degree also combines well with training in other disciplines such as finance, real estate, political science, psychology or history.

Program Highlights

Taught by Internationally Recognized Scholars

Research interests in the areas of:

Health Economics
Labor Economics
Development Economics
Environmental Economics
Behavioral Economics
Public Economics

The master’s degree in economics:

  • Combines economic theory with an important emphasis on empirical analysis to provide theoretically motivated and data-driven answers to important questions concerning topical societal challenges.
  • Prioritizes both coding skills and the ability to think deeply and make credible causal claims.
  • Provides a flexible structure allowing for the pursuit of specific interests besides the core component.

Careers in Economics

Career Fields

Career opportunities for graduates of the online economics master’s degree are numerous, diverse and rewarding.

Our graduates hold top positions in:

  • Academia
  • International agencies
  • Private sector, including Bank of America and Delta
  • All levels of federal and state government, including critical leadership roles at the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Work with our Office of Career Services and Student Life to connect with the professional community and gain crucial career and leadership skills. Take advantage of employer panels, career fairs and workshops in resume writing, networking and professional presentation.

Earnings Potential

The median annual wage for economists was $113,940 in May 2022.

The median annual wages for economists in the top industries in which they worked were:

    • Management, scientific and technical consulting services | $130,160
    • Federal government, excluding postal service | $130,100
    • Scientific research and development services | $106,720
    • Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $86,910
    • State government, excluding education and hospitals | $80,520

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Details

A completed application includes the following materials submitted online.

  1. Submitted Online Application. Online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
  2. Application fee:  A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
  3. Goal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short typed statement of personal and professional goals as they relate to the certificate or degree program you are seeking. Most applicants write about two typed pages, summarizing their work experience, the reasons they have chosen the program, why they want to attend Georgia State, and how the degree fits in with their career goals.
  4. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Academic scores (International applicants only): International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS academic scores.
  5. Three letters of recommendation:  Letters should be submitted through the online application.
  6. Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended:
    • Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application or upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
    • Review all requirements for submitting transcripts here.
    • Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.

Student may select between the traditional economics track or the economic analytics track:

Traditional Economics Track 33 hours:

  • Required Core Courses (12)
  • Elective Concentration Field (6)
  • Designated Elective Courses (15)

Economic Analytics Track 33 hours:

  • Required Core Courses (12)
  • Analytics Concentration Field (9)
  • Designated Elective Courses (12)

View Curriculum Details

The Master of Arts in Economics program is designed to meet the needs of students planning careers in local, state and federal government and in the private sector. Emphasis is placed upon analytical skills. Micro and macroeconomic theory and mathematical statistics are required. At the same time, the program is sufficiently broad to satisfy the needs of social science and economics teachers at the secondary and college level. An economics degree also combines well with training in other disciplines such as finance, real estate, political science or history.

Contacts

Economics
Phone: 404-413-0141
Fax: 404-413-0145

Office Location:
55 Park Place NE
6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

Mailing Address:
Department of Economics
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3992
Atlanta, GA 30302-3992

Director of the MA Program in Economics:
Pierre Nguimkeu

Academic Assistance
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-0021

AYSPS Office of Academic Assistance Location:
55 Park Place NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Andrew Young School Logo55 Park Place NE
Atlanta, GA 30303