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Masters in Economics

Neven Valev, Faculty Advisor

 

Why should you consider the Masters program in economics at Georgia State?

 

Solid foundation in economics. The GSU Department of Economics is a highly ranked economics department with over 35 faculty members specializing in all fields of economics. According to recent rankings by The U.S. News & World Report, the graduate program at the Andrew Young School is among the top ten graduate programs in public finance and budgeting and in city management and urban policy.

Advanced analytical skills. The program builds substantial research skills. These skills are highly valued in today’s job market and in applications for doctoral programs.

Practical orientation domestically and internationally. The Andrew Young School houses several policy centers that have been actively involved in policy design in Georgia, the U.S., and over 40 countries internationally.

Flexibility. The program offers three specializations – MA in Economics, MA in Economics - Policy Track and MS in Business Economics. Students can switch between degrees while in the program.

International Exchange Programs – students can spend a semester, tuition free, at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland or at the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) in Beijing, China.

Funding – Graduate Student Assistantships (GRA’s) are available at the time of enrollment or while in the program. The GRA’s provide a monthly stipend as well as a full tuition waver. International Students are eligible to apply.

Location. The GSU campus is conveniently located in downtown Atlanta for easy access.

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Three Program Options


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. This degree program follows a traditional track. 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.

The Master of Arts in Economics– Policy Track is intended to prepare professionals for careers in the formation and/or implementation of economic policy or for careers in the evaluation and interpretation of such policy to a wider audience. This degree exposes the student to fundamental issues in critical areas of economic policy, and equips the student to understand and utilize economic data and analysis in evaluating the potential for economic policy to influence outcomes.

The Masters of Science in Business Economics has a stronger orientation toward building skills for employment in the private sector. The program emphasizes analytical and research skills. It allows greater flexibility in terms of electives choosing economics, management, finance or other business courses from the Robinson School of Business.

Our MA graduates have taken positions in different government agencies, in the private sector, and in nonprofit organizations, and several have moved on to pursue Ph.D. degrees in economics at various universities.

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The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies


As one of the six colleges at Georgia State, the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is home to two departments,Economics and Public Administration and Urban Studies. Students also have the opportunity to work with several active research centers, whose programs foster excellence in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policy. These centers include the Experimental Economics Center, the Fiscal Research Program, the International Studies Program, and the Georgia Health Policy Center. Faculty in these centers work closely with local, state, national, and international organizations to provide the solid information needed to address today’s complex policy issues. Governments and the private sector now turn regularly to these centers for advice and counsel.

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Living in Atlanta


Among the benefits of graduate study at Georgia State University is living in Atlanta. Consistently rated among the “most livable” cities by Rand McNally and known as a desirable location for business, Atlanta combines an attractive climate with a full variety of cultural and athletic activities. Atlanta’s national reputation was confirmed by its selection as the site of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

The Georgia State campus is centrally located near the State Capitol, state and federal offices, the Underground Atlanta entertainment complex, Georgia Aquarium, CNN headquarters, and the convention hotel district. Also nearby are the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the King memorial site, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and the Carter Presidential Center. Atlanta is home to Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Atlanta University complex, and more than 20 other degree-granting institutions. Those interested in the arts will find a wealth of delights in the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet, the Atlanta Opera, the biennial National Black Arts Festival, and several major regional theater companies. In addition to collegiate athletics at Georgia State University, Atlanta is home to teams in all major professional sports leagues.

Transportation between Atlanta’s neighborhoods is provided by one of the nation’s most modern transit systems. The Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) provides inexpensive transportation throughout the Atlanta area, and the system links the city with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, now the world’s busiest airport. The Georgia State MARTA station provides commuter students easy access to campus.

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Housing


At Georgia State, students have two on-campus residential options. Both are near key university locations and in the midst of Atlanta’s social and dining scene. The Lofts are urban style living for all kinds of students. Brand-new for Fall 2007 is a 4.2-acre complex of four apartment buildings ranging from 8 to 15 stories, around a large landscaped courtyard. Just blocks from classrooms, the Student Center and the Rec Center, the University Commons houses 2,000 students in two- and four-bedroom apartments.

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Admission


The Department seeks highly motivated, well-qualified individuals with a strong desire to do research in economics. An undergraduate major in economics is desirable, but not required.

Evaluation of applicants is based on scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), past academic record, letters of recommendation, and a written statement of career goals and reasons for seeking a Masters Degree. International students who do not have a degree from a U.S. institution must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

The “typical” profile of a successful recent applicant includes verbal and quantitative test scores of at least the 65th percentile, an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00, some undergraduate economics training, and a career goal related to economic research or economic policy.

Applications are accepted for spring and fall semesters.

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Financial Assistance


A limited number of graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are available to interested and qualified fulltime MA students. To apply, students complete a GRA application. These positions provide a full tuition waiver plus a stipend. Graduate assistants work with faculty members on research projects in their area of interests.

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Application Procedures


The preferred way to apply is via our online application.

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Contacts


For additional information and application forms, contact the AYSPS Office of Academic Assistance at:

Office of Academic Assistance
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
University Plaza
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
Phone: 404-413-0021
Fax: 404-413-0023
E-mail: ayspsacademicassist@gsu.edu

Learn more about the Department of Economics and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

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M.A. in Economics Degree Requirements