The M.S. Economics (MSE) allows students to choose between a theiss option or creative component to complete their program. Econ 500 (4 cr), Econ 501 (4 cr), Econ 502 (4 cr), and Econ 571 (4 cr) are required of all MSE students. MSE students work with program advisers to select and approve electives and to carry out their thesis or creative component project. All MSE students must pass a final oral exam during which they defend their thesis or creative component. Below is sample program schedule.
Thesis: The thesis option requires a minimum of 28 credits of formal coursework plus completion of a traditional master's thesis (3 credits) for a total of 31 credits.
Non-thesis: The non-thesis option requires 31 credits of formal coursework plus completion of a less formal research project called a creative component (2 credits) for a total of 33 credits.
| M.S. Economics - Fall Semester | |||
| Course | Description | Thesis Option | Non-Thesis Option |
| Econ 500 | Quant. Methods in Econ Analysis | 4 | 4 |
| Econ 501 | Microeconomics | 4 | 4 |
| Econ 502 | Macroeconomics | 4 | 4 |
| Electives* | 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | 15 | |
| M.S. Economics - Spring Semester | |||
| Course | Description | Thesis Option | Non-Thesis Option |
| Econ 571 | Intermediate Econometrics | 4 | 4 |
| Electives* | 9 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 13 | 16 | |
| M.S. Economics - Summer Semester | |||
| Course | Description | Thesis Option | Non-Thesis Option |
| Econ 699 | Thesis Research | 3 | -- |
| Econ 599 | Creative Component | -- | 2 |
| Total M.S. Econ Program Credits | 31 | 33 | |
*MSE - Thesis Elective Requirements: 12 credits total
• At least 6 credits are economics courses at the 500-level or above (excluding Econ 532)
The remaining 6 elective credits can be comprised from the following options:
• Up to 6 credits of economics courses at the 400 level
• Up to 6 credits at the 300 or 400 level or higher in a related discipline with approval of major professor (of which no more than 3 credits are at the 300 level)
• Up to 6 hours of course work used for an ISU undergraduate degree may be applied for graduate credit
*MSE - Non-Thesis Elective Requirements: 15 credits total
• At least 6 credits are economics courses at the 500-level or above (excluding Econ 532)
The remaining 9 elective credits can be comprised from the following options:
• Up to 9 credits of economics courses at the 400 level
• Up to 6 credits at the 300 or 400 level or higher in a related discipline with approval of major professor (of which no more than 3 credits are at the 300 level)
• Up to 6 hours of course work used for an ISU undergraduate degree may be applied for graduate credit