Graduate Catalog 2024-2025

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 

  1. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic performance.
  2. 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 

  1. 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
  2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic performance.
  3. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale).
  4. 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 

  1. Graduate Studies admission application which includes submission of official undergraduate degree transcripts.1
  2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic performance.
  3. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale).
  4. 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)

Required Courses
ECON 465GRegression and Econometric Analysis 13
ECON 502Applied Micro Economic Theory3
ECON 503Applied Macroeconomic Theory3
ECON 506Applied Statistical Methods3
ECON 594Forecasting3
Electives
Concentration15
Total Hours30
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

Required Course
ECON 596Applied Economics Project3-6
Electives
Select 9-12 hours of advisor approved ECON graduate courses9-12
Total Hours15

Mathematical Methods Concentration

Required Course
ECON 596Applied Economics Project3
Electives
Select 12 hours from the following: 212
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 Hours15

Business Economics Concentration

Select 15 hours with advisor approval: 315
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 Hours15
2

At least 9 hours must be MATH or STAT courses. 

3

At least 12 hours must be BA or BDAN courses.