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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Graduate Studies Bulletin 2008-2009

Policies and Courses

Economics

[edit] Description

For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary .

Department Chair: Scott M. Fuess, Ph.D.

Graduate Committee Chair: Matthew J. Cushing, Ph.D.

www.cba.unl.edu/dept/economics/gradPrograms/

The Department of Economics offers a doctor of philosophy degree and a master of arts degree.

Master of Arts Degree

Three options are available to MA students: Option I is a 30-hour program that provides the opportunity to write a masters thesis; Option II is a 36-hour applied degree program that includes an outside area of concentration; and Option III is a 36-hour PhD-leading track that provides the opportunity to continue directly into the doctoral program.

All students pursuing the MA degree must demonstrate mastery of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics by passing appropriate courses in each of these areas with grades of B or better in each course. MA candidates are required to undergo a comprehensive examination in their field of specialization.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

All doctoral students must pass a Qualifying Examination in Advanced Economic Theory by the end of the third semester after entry into the program. The department offers courses in advanced micro and macro economic theory to help prepare students for the Qualifying Examination. In addition to advanced economic theory, PhD students are required to pass two econometrics courses with a B or better grade in each course. Furthermore, doctoral candidates choose two major areas of specialization. Six hours of work at the 900 level constitute the formal minimum requirement in a major field. Every doctoral aspirant must undergo comprehensive written and oral examinations covering his/her areas of study. The doctoral dissertation must be a thorough and well-written original investigation in economics.

In all other respects, the requirements for the degrees of master of arts or doctor of philosophy in economics conform to the general rules of the Graduate College. There is no formal language requirement for the PhD degree.

Admission

The minimum general requirement for admission to the economics graduate program is an undergraduate degree from an accredited American or foreign college or university. PhD applicants are required to provide GRE aptitude test scores. MA applicants may substitute GMAT scores.

Course requirements for admission to the masters program without deficiencies are a semester each of intermediate level macroeconomic theory, microeconomic theory, statistics, and calculus. Students are also strongly advised to have additional background in calculus and matrix algebra. The absence of adequate back-ground in probability, statistics, and calculus can be a serious impediment to success in any graduate program in economics. A one semester calculus course for business or social science students often proves to be inadequate preparation.

Applicants to the PhD program (and applicants to the masters program anticipating the possibility of pursuing the PhD degree), should have a full calculus sequence, mathematical statistics, and matrix algebra in their backgrounds.

Applicants who lack required background may be considered for provisional admission. Unless specific prerequisites are indicated, the general prerequisite for all courses in the 800 and 900 series is graduate standing, including the removal of any undergraduate deficiencies, or permission of the instructor teaching the course.

[edit] Economics and Law

The joint JD in law and MA in economics is a four-year program administered jointly by the College of Law and the Graduate College. Students entering this program must be formally admitted to the College of Law and to the Graduate College for work toward the masters degree in the Department of Economics. They will complete the following:

    Economics Courses
    First Year, 21-24
    Second Year, 0
    Third Year (MA awarded), 0-3
    Fourth Year (JD awarded), 0
      Total MA Option I: 21
      Total MA Option II: 27
    Law Courses
    First Year, 0
    Second Year, 36
    Third Year (MA awarded), 12
    Fourth Year (JD awarded), 30
      Total MA Option I: 78
      Total MA Option II: 78
    Joint Economics-Law Courses
    First Year, 0
    Second Year, 0
    Third Year (MA awarded), 9
    Fourth Year (JD awarded), 0
      Total MA Option I: 9
      Total MA Option II: 9

The following courses are cross listed in both economics and law. These courses are normally open only to students enrolled in the joint JD in law and MA in economics program, but in all circumstances admission to these courses requires approval of the College of Law. Students not seeking a law degree may be admitted to one or more of these courses with the specific approval of the faculty member teaching the course and the Dean of the College of Law.

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