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Master of Science in Applied Economics, UMCP Format 


Graduate Programs in Applied Economics is offered through the Department of Economics in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact the Program Directors, Dr. John Straub and Amanda Kerr, and Coordinators, Herman Boyd and Kaitlyn Walker via email: masters-econ@umd.edu.

The Master of Science in Applied Economics, UMCP format (ECAM) has a 30-credit, 10-course curriculum that provides training in economic reasoning, formulating and estimating economic models and forecasting, and utilizing quantitative methods to evaluate policy proposals and programs. 

  • Emphasizes empirical skills, particularly data analysis and interpretation, with respect to economic and public policy applications. 
  • Focuses on the application of modern economic tools to the analysis of public policy questions and emphasizes the role of econometric analysis and economic policy analysis with a particular focus on real-world examples, data manipulation and management and modeling.

Considerations

  • The MS-Applied Economics, UMCP format (ECAM) meets at the UMD College Park campus.
  • UMCP format uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in the fall and spring semester (16 weeks each). 
  • UMCP format can be completed in twenty-four months of continuous full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment is welcome. Full-time students enroll in three 3-credit courses over the course of three semesters (nine credits each fall, spring, fall) with the final 3-credit course taken in the last spring semester. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status
  • Students admitted into the UMCP format may only enroll in courses/sections offered in the UMCP format, with the exception of course/sections offered in term IV (summer) through the WDC format.

Courses

Course Number Title Pre-/Co-requisites
ECON641 Microeconomic Analysis
ECON642 Topics in Applied Macroeconomics
ECON643 Empirical Analysis I
ECON644 Empirical Analysis II ECON643
ECON645 Empirical Analysis III ECON644
ECON670 Financial Economics ECON641. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON644.
ECON671 Economics of Health Care ECON641. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON645.
ECON672 Program Analysis and Evaluation ECON641 and ECON645.
ECON673 Information, Game Theory and Market Design ECON641. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON645.
ECON674 Economic Analysis of Law ECON641. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON644.
ECON675 Environmental Economics ECON641. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON645.
ECON676 Economic Development ECON641 and ECON642. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON644.
ECON677 International Trade and Applications ECON641 and ECON644.
ECON683 International Macroeconomics and Finance ECON641 and ECON642. Completed or concurrently enrolled in ECON644.
ECON684 Applied Time Series Analysis and Forecasting ECON642 and ECON645.
ECON687 Economics Applications of R Programming ECON645

Plan of study includes five 3-credit core courses (15 credits) and five 3-credit field courses (15 credits).

 Registration Overview

  • See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director.
  • Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
  • Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
  • The program uses specific section codes for registration, which are listed on the sample plan of study.

 Sample Plan, UMCP Format (ECAM)

Semester Year Type Course Number Section Code Credits
Fall 1 Core ECON641 PCE* 3
Fall 1 Core ECON642 PCE* 3
Fall 1 Core ECON643 PCE* 3
Spring 1 Core ECON644 PCE* 3
Spring 1 Field ECON6** PCE* 3
Spring 1 Field ECON6** PCE* 3
Fall 2 Core ECON645 PCE* 3
Fall 2 Field ECON6** PCE* 3
Fall 2 Field ECON6** PCE* 3
Spring 2 Field ECON6** PCE* 3

Overall 

  • Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in the fall and spring semester (16 weeks each).
  • Instructors present dynamic and interactive seminar-style instruction. 
  • Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field.

In-Person Learning

  • Classes meet in UMD College Park campus classrooms, offering a focused, distraction-free learning environment.
  • Classes held weekday evenings (e.g., after 5:00 p.m.) to accommodate the working professional’s schedule.
  • Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements.

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

  • The collect, evaluate, understand and analyze economic data.
  • To understand and interpret statistical results and apply empirical evidence to economic arguments.
  • To articulate and apply standard macroeconomic theories and models to policy discussions.
  • To articulate and apply standard microeconomic theories and models to policy discussions.
  • To interpret and communicate economic models to a wider audience.
  • To measure and evaluate the effectiveness of policy programs using sound econometric techniques.
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