Economics M.S./M.A. (not currently accepting applications)
The Master of Science (MS) and Master of Arts (MA) programs in Economics at Portland State University offer students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of economics through coursework and interaction with a diverse group of faculty.
Admission Criteria:
Admission to the Master’s program in the Department of Economics is online at www.pdx.edu/admissions/apply-to-grad-school. In addition to the University admissions requirements, department requirements are:
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GPA: Admission to the Economics program is highly competitive and requires a minimum of a 3.00 GPA in overall undergraduate coursework.
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Coursework: Courses in Mathematical Economics and Advanced Calculus are recommended but not required. The required undergraduate courses for admission are:
a. Intermediate Microeconomics (Ec 415 or Ec 311; Ec 415 is preferred)
b. Intermediate Macroeconomics (Ec 312)
c. Statistics (Stat 452)
d. Econometrics (Ec 469)
e. Univariate and Multivariate Calculus (Mth 254)
f. Linear Algebra (Mth 261)
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Testing: The GRE is no longer required for admission. If an applicant has taken it, they have the option to include the report in the application. Demonstration of English proficiency is required for University admission for some international students. See University English language proficiency requirements.
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Recommendations: Three (3) letters of recommendation, at least two of which must be from economics professors.
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Statement of Purpose: An essay up to 750 words on goals and aspirations for entering and completing the graduate program.
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Application/Transcripts: Transcripts from ALL other institutions (other than PSU) you have attended. If you are admitted to the program, you will need an official transcript sent directly from your other institutions to the Graduate School.
The Master of Arts has the same requirements as a Master of Science, but Master of Arts has an additional requirement of a foreign language. Students must complete an eleven-course core requirement (44 credits), with 48 credits in total. Credit requirements beyond the core courses may be satisfied entirely with an economics elective course or with a combination of economics seminar for a maximum of 4 credits and economics research for a maximum of 4 credits. Students have four options for completing the economics electives and/or research requirement:
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Select 4 credits of economics electives
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Select economics research to be completed in Ec 501 for a maximum of 4 credits
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Select 1 credit of economics seminar in Ec 518 for a maximum of 4 times (maximum 4 credits)
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Select a combination of economics research and economics seminar, for a total of 4 credits
Economics elective courses may be substituted by graduate courses from other departments with prior Department of Economics approval. The number of elective courses from other departments must not exceed one.
Degree Requirements
Core economics courses (44 credits)
| Ec 570 | Econometrics | 4 |
| Ec 571 | Advanced Econometrics | 4 |
| Ec 575 | Applied Advanced Econometrics | 4 |
| Ec 576 | Implementing Econometrics using Stata and R | 4 |
| Ec 580 | Mathematical Economics | 4 |
| Ec 581 | Advanced Microeconomics | 4 |
| Ec 584 | Applications of Advanced Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| Ec 590 | Advanced Macroeconomics | 4 |
| Ec 592 | Applications of Advanced Macroeconomic Theory | 4 |
| Ec 596 | Research Project I | 4 |
| Ec 597 | Research Project II | 4 |
Economics electives and/or Economics Research (4 credits)
Option I: Economics Electives
Option II: Economics Research (Ec 501)
Option III: Economics Seminar (Ec 518)
Option IV: A combination of Economics Research (Ec 501) and Economics Seminar (Ec 518)
Students with questions concerning transferred credits should contact the Graduate adviser.