MSPE Curriculum

Econ 500 (Microeconomics), Econ 501 (Macroeconomics), Econ 502 (Economic Statistics), and Econ 503 (Econometrics). All students must take Econ 500 and Econ 502 in their first semester in the program and Econ 503 in their second semester. Econ 501 may be taken either in the first or the second semester.

All students must have at least one field of specialization. A field of specialization consists of two or more elective courses in a particular area with at least one of the courses being at the 500 level.

See the Specialization section for more information.

All students must take at least 6 additional elective courses (besides core courses). Two of the elective courses can be from other departments. However, if they are to be counted towards the degree requirements of the program, they must be approved by the program's director.

Minimum of 40 graduate credit hours (equivalent to ten 4-credit-hour courses). There is no thesis option.

All students have to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) at the end of each semester. If a student's cumulative GPA goes below 3.0, he/she will be put on probation and will have one semester to raise his GPA to 3.0 (or above). No student can graduate with a final cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 (B).

Minimum length of stay in the program is one calendar year (fall and spring semesters plus summer session). The maximum length of stay is two years.

• Minimum semester load (including required ESL courses): 12 credit hours. [Students are allowed to carry a less than 12-credit hours only in one semester. Two letters, one from the student's sponsor (if he/she has a government or private-sector sponsor) and the other from the International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) authorizing a reduced load, are required for this purpose.]
• Maximum semester load: Fall and spring 16 credit hours, summer 8 credit hours. Any course load beyond these must be approved by the director of the program.

All students must be enrolled in at least one econ course every semester. No student is allowed to take all his/her semester courses from the outside of the Department of Economics.