Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Arts - Economics


This program is accredited by: AACSB. More information can be found at: unlv.edu/provost/vpaa/accreditation

Plan Description


The Master of Arts degree – Economics provides students with advanced training in applied economics. The program trains students for careers in business and government, and prepares students who desire to continue their studies in economics or finance at the doctoral level. Students in the MA program will obtain a solid foundation in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, receive training in advanced econometric techniques, and develop their communication skills through writing and presentation. The program also allows students the possibility of pursuing interdisciplinary studies by taking courses in related disciplines such as finance or marketing. An internship program provides opportunities for students to obtain valuable work experience. MA graduates in economics possess the skills that prove attractive for different employers— government agencies, marketing research firms, corporate research and financial departments, and consulting firms. The department welcomes both full and part-time students. Please see our web site for more information http://business.unlv.edu/economics/.

Formal preparation for most applicants seeking the Master of Arts degree requires intermediate microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory. In addition, some form of quantitative preparation, such as calculus and intermediate statistics, is required. As noted below, students must meet general requirements for admission to the Graduate College of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Department of Economics offers most graduate courses during evening hours convenient for both working and full-time students. 

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

The first step in the application process requires the submission of relevant application forms, fees, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, test results, and assistantship applications to the Graduate College as outlined in this Catalog. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Admission to full graduate standing requires that students must:

  1. Meet the general requirements for admission to graduate instruction at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
  2. Complete the prerequisite preparation in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and quantitative economics. The theory preparation may be satisfied by successfully completing ECON 302 and ECON 303. Completing ECON 262 and Math 181 may satisfy the quantitative preparation. These courses, however, do not apply toward the 30 hours of graduate course work required for the Master of Arts degree. In addition, students seeking to meet prerequisite requirements with undergraduate courses may need to take a placement exam to demonstrate competence.


Preference is given to applicants who score at or above the 50th percentile on the quantitative portion of the Official GRE; and at or above the 50th percentile on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the Official GRE; and present a 3.0 or higher grade point average (computed on a 4.00 scale). An Official GMAT score may be substituted for the Official GRE score. These requirements may be adjusted to reflect any changes in the formats and scoring rubrics of either the GRE or GMAT.

Accomplished UNLV undergraduates must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the Advanced Program Track:

  1. Receiving a B or above in graduate-level Economics courses completed as an undergraduate
  2. Satisfactory completion of Graduate College admission requirements
  3. Senior standing
  4. Minimum of 3.0 GPA
  5. Completion of the following courses with a minimum of 3.5 GPA and no grade lower than B: ECON 262 or ECON 441; ECON 302; ECON 303 and MATH 181
  6. Department chair or graduate coordinator’s recommendation
  7. Submission of two letters of recommendation, a completed Enrollment Request form to the Economics department no less than two weeks before the beginning of the semester for which they would like to register for graduate courses


Students falling short of the requirements for admission with full graduate standing may be admitted as graduate conditional students. Students admitted with graduate conditional status must successfully complete the courses, possibly including any deficiencies, designated by the graduate coordinator, with an average of 3.33 or better within the first year of enrollment to qualify for admission with full graduate standing.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Conventional Track - Thesis


 Total Credits Required: 30 

Course Requirements


Elective Courses – Credits: 6


Students completing the Thesis must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Economics coursework.

Culminating Experience – Credits: 6


Degree Requirements


  1. Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, of which, at least 24 credits must be taken in 700-level courses.
  2. Degree requirements may exceed (at the option of the student’s advisor), but must not be less than the minimum outlined below. The advisor and/or the coordinator of graduate studies recommend specific course requirements for this degree.
  3. An internship is required and will count toward the elective credit requirements. This requirement may be waived by the department upon evidence of appropriate experience. If waived, credits must be earned in other coursework.
  4. Students not making satisfactory progress toward the degree are subject to dismissal. Satisfactory progress is defined as in the Graduate College Dismissal Policy.  Students will also be placed on probation for earning a grade less than a B.  Additional grades less than a B in subsequent terms may result in dismissal from the program. Courses with grades less than a B cannot be applied to the credits required for the degree.  Courses with grades less than a B can be retaken with the permission of the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator. 
  5. A minimum 3.00 average is required to earn the Master of Arts degree.
  6. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Conventional Track - Professional Paper


 Total Credits Required: 30 

Course Requirements


Elective Courses – Credits: 9


Students who complete a Professional Paper must complete 9 credits of Economics coursework; 3 credits may be from a related discipline subject to the approval of the graduate coordinator.

Culminating Experience – Credits: 3


Degree Requirements


  1.  Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, of which, at least 24 credits must be taken in 700-level courses.
  2. Degree requirements may exceed (at the option of the student’s advisor), but must not be less than the minimum outlined below. The advisor and/or the coordinator of graduate studies recommend specific course requirements for this degree.
  3. An internship is required and will count toward the elective credit requirements. This requirement may be waived by the department upon evidence of appropriate experience. If waived, credits must be earned in other coursework.
  4. Students not making satisfactory progress toward the degree are subject to dismissal. Satisfactory progress is defined as in the Graduate College Dismissal Policy.  Students will also be placed on probation for earning a grade less than a B.  Additional grades less than a B in subsequent terms may result in dismissal from the program. Courses with grades less than a B cannot be applied to the credits required for the degree.  Courses with grades less than a B can be retaken with the permission of the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator. 
  5. A minimum 3.00 average is required to earn the Master of Arts degree.  Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on probation. 
  6. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  7. It should be noted that a student taking four courses a semester could finish all course work in one year by adding an elective course in the fall and in the spring semesters and completing a culminating experience in the summer. 

Subplan 3 Requirements: Advanced Track - Thesis


 Total Credits Required: 24 

Course Requirements


Economics Course – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses: 

Elective Courses – Credits: 6


Students completing the Thesis must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Economics coursework.

Culminating Experience – Credits: 6


Degree Requirements


  1. Completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours, of which, at least 18 credits must be taken in 700-level courses.
  2. Degree requirements may exceed (at the option of the student’s advisor), but must not be less than the minimum outlined below. The advisor and/or the coordinator of graduate studies recommend specific course requirements for this degree.
  3. An internship is required and will count toward the elective credit requirements. This requirement may be waived by the department upon evidence of appropriate experience. If waived, credits must be earned in other coursework.
  4. Students not making satisfactory progress toward the degree are subject to dismissal. Satisfactory progress is defined as in the Graduate College Dismissal Policy.  Students will also be placed on probation for earning a grade less than a B.  Additional grades less than a B in subsequent terms may result in dismissal from the program. Courses with grades less than a B cannot be applied to the credits required for the degree.  Courses with grades less than a B can be retaken with the permission of the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator. 
  5. A minimum 3.00 average is required to earn the Master of Arts degree.  Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on probation. 
  6. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Advanced Track - Professional Paper


Total Credits Required: 24 

Course Requirements


Economics Course – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses: 

Elective Courses – Credits: 9


Students who complete a Professional Paper must complete 9 credits of Economics coursework; 3 credits may be from a related discipline subject to the approval of the graduate coordinator.

Culminating Experience – Credits: 3


Degree Requirements


  1.  Completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours, of which, at least 18 credits must be taken in 700-level courses.
  2. Degree requirements may exceed (at the option of the student’s advisor), but must not be less than the minimum outlined below. The advisor and/or the coordinator of graduate studies recommend specific course requirements for this degree.
  3. An internship is required and will count toward the elective credit requirements. This requirement may be waived by the department upon evidence of appropriate experience. If waived, credits must be earned in other coursework.
  4. Students not making satisfactory progress toward the degree are subject to dismissal. Satisfactory progress is defined as in the Graduate College Dismissal Policy.  Students will also be placed on probation for earning a grade less than a B.  Additional grades less than a B in subsequent terms may result in dismissal from the program. Courses with grades less than a B cannot be applied to the credits required for the degree.  Courses with grades less than a B can be retaken with the permission of the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator. 
  5. A minimum 3.00 average is required to earn the Master of Arts degree.  Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on probation. 
  6. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  7. It should be noted that a student taking four courses a semester could finish all course work in one year by adding an elective course in the fall and in the spring semesters and completing a culminating experience in the summer. 

Plan Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. To qualify for graduation, each student must successfully complete an empirical research paper or thesis.