Economics (Public Policy) - Master of Arts

Candidates for the Master of Arts in economics must successfully complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits (concentrations may require more than 30 graduate credits). At least 12 credits beyond the core courses (AEEC 5120 Microeconomic Theory, AEEC 5130 Macroeconomic Theory, AEEC 5240 Econometrics) must be earned by taking courses taught by economics faculty members in the Department of Economics, Applied Statistics and International Business. At least two of the three core courses must be completed at NMSU. Twenty-one of the credits must have one of the four following prefixes: AEEC, ECON, ECDV, or AG E. At least twenty-four of the credits must be associated with courses numbered 5000 or above. All students must meet the requirements specified in the general regulations and requirements for admission to the Graduate School and to candidacy. Students preparing to enter the program are encouraged to complete the following:

  1. one course in intermediate microeconomic theory and one course in macroeconomic theory with minimum grades of B;
  2. one course in college-level calculus; and
  3. one course in statistics, including simple regression.

Those students not having completed these courses may be admitted with the requirement that the deficiencies be completed at the beginning of the graduate program. Those students interested in the concentration in regulatory economics are advised to complete two courses in college-level statistics.

Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified applicants: however, admission to the program does not guarantee an assistantship. It is not necessary to have an undergraduate degree in economics for admission to the graduate program nor to receive financial assistance. 

Prefix Title Credits
Required Courses
AEEC 5120Microeconomic Theory3
AEEC 5130Macroeconomic Theory3
AEEC 5240Econometrics3
Electives, subject to the restrictions above.21
Total Credits30

Notes:

  1. No more than one course with a grade less than B can be used to fulfill the requirements for the MA Econ degree.
  2. ECON 503 cannot be counted toward the major in Economics.
  3. A maximum of nine hours of approved transfer credit (with minimum grades of A) may be applied toward the degree.
Prefix Title Credits
Additional Required Courses for a Concentration in Public Policy
AEEC 5230Public Sector Economics3
POLS 530Seminar in Public Policy3
Select one from the following:3
POLS 537
Issues in Public Policy3
POLS 540
Seminar in Public Administration3
POLS 541
Public Budgeting3
POLS 544
Public Policy Analysis3
Total Credits9