Applied Economics, Master of Arts (0410)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/economics/
Interim Program Coordinator
Dr. Christopher Biolsi, christopher.biolsi@wku.edu
The Master of Arts in Applied Economics offers three concentrations: General concentration , Mathematical Methods concentration, and Business Economics concentration. The General concentration emphasizes the training of students with backgrounds in economics and other arts and sciences for careers that require strong quantitative skills, technical tools, and communication abilities that can be applied to a broad range of subjects. The Mathematical Methods concentration is designed for students with a strong background in mathematics to gain applied knowledge in economics. The Business Economics concentration couples the economic theory and research methods with coursework from the MBA program to prepare students for careers in the private sector. Students in the Business Economics concentration can earn graduate certificates in Economic Data Analytics, and either Supply Chain Management or Data Analytics certificates while completing the program.
Students in any of the three concentrations may also enroll in approved courses from related master programs including but not limited to the Master in Business Administration, the Master in Public Administration, and the Master in Health Administration to enhance their range of knowledge and experience. In addition to course work, the program utilizes practicum, an end-of-program applied project, and non-credit workshops to build specific technical skills and to enhance employability of graduates.
Through a partnership with SAS Institute, students enrolled in the program may be able to earn a Tier 1 SAS Academic Specialization in Economic Data Analytics: https://www.credly.com/org/sas/badge/sas-western-kentucky-university-academic-specialization-in-economic-data-analytics
Concentration(s)
- General (ECGE)
- Mathematical Methods (ECMM)
- Business Economics (ECBE)
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
Program Admission
General Concentration
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic performance.
- Official GRE score taken within the last five years. Minimum GRE quantitative score of 147 on a 170 point scale. Alternate graduate admission test scores such as the GMAT or LSAT will be considered on a case by case basis.
- 1
All applicants must have completed an introductory microeconomics course (ECON 202 or equivalent), an introductory macroeconomics course (ECON 203 or equivalent), and an introductory statistics course (ECON 206 or equivalent). Students who have not completed an intermediate level course (300 level or higher) in microeconomics, macroeconomics, or statistics are advised to complete online preparatory work in the area of deficiency prior to admission.
Mathematical Methods Concentration
- Graduate Studies admission application which includes submission of official undergraduate degree transcripts with a major in Economics, Mathematics, Math-Econ or other related majors.2
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic performance.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale).
- Official GRE score taken within the last five years. Minimum GRE quantitative score of 147 on a 170 point scale. Alternate graduate admission test scores such as the GMAT or LSAT will be considered on a case by case basis. GRE requirement is waived for students who have earned an undergraduate degree from WKU and have a minimum GPA of 3.3 in their major.
- 2
All applicants must have completed a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus, discrete mathematics, principles of micro- and macroeconomics, and one semester of junior or senior level probability theory.
Business Economics Concentration
- Graduate Studies admission application which includes submission of official undergraduate degree transcripts.1
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic performance.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale).
- Official GRE score taken within the last five years. Minimum GRE quantitative score of 147 on a 170 point scale. Alternate graduate admission test scores such as the GMAT or LSAT will be considered on a case by case basis.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Degree Requirements (30 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECON 465G | Regression and Econometric Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ECON 502 | Applied Micro Economic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 503 | Applied Macroeconomic Theory | 3 |
| ECON 506 | Applied Statistical Methods | 3 |
| ECON 594 | Forecasting | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Concentration | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
If ECON 465 was taken at the undergraduate level, this course must be substituted with either a MATH, ECON, or STAT course from the list of the electives.
General Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| ECON 596 | Applied Economics Project | 3-6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9-12 hours of advisor approved ECON graduate courses | 9-12 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Mathematical Methods Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| ECON 596 | Applied Economics Project | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 hours from the following: 2 | 12 | |
| Data Methods in Economics | ||
| Public Policy Economics | ||
| Topics in Macroeconomics | ||
| Practicum in Economics | ||
| Independent Study Economics | ||
| Issues in Capital Market Economics | ||
| Seminar in Economics | ||
| Public Sector Economics | ||
| Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination | ||
| American Industry: Structure, Performance and Policy | ||
| Economics of Healthcare | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Economics | ||
| International Monetary Economics | ||
| Numerical Analysis I | ||
| Numerical Analysis II | ||
| Intermediate Analysis I | ||
| Introduction to Operations Research | ||
| Probability & Statistics II | ||
| Applied Probability | ||
| Advanced Differential Equations | ||
| Real Analysis | ||
| Stochastic Processes | ||
| Graph Theory | ||
| Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Topics in Operations Research | ||
| Special Topics in Mathematics | ||
| Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Statistical Methods II | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Business Economics Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 15 hours with advisor approval: 3 | 15 | |
| Advanced Organizational Behavior | ||
| Contemporary Business Analytics | ||
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Advanced Marketing | ||
| Advanced Managerial Finance | ||
| Strategic Business Concepts and Applications | ||
| Supply Chain Management | ||
| Procurement Management | ||
| Supply Chain Analytics | ||
| Contemporary Business Analytics | ||
| Data Management | ||
| Predictive Analytics | ||
| Visualization and Decision Making | ||
| Issues in Capital Market Economics | ||
| Public Sector Economics | ||
| Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination | ||
| American Industry: Structure, Performance and Policy | ||
| Economics of Healthcare | ||
| Games and Strategy | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Economics | ||
| International Monetary Economics | ||
| Data Methods in Economics | ||
| Public Policy Economics | ||
| Applied Economics Project | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 2
At least 9 hours must be MATH or STAT courses.
- 3
At least 12 hours must be BA or BDAN courses.