BA/MS in Econometrics & Quantitative Economics

The BA/MS in Econometrics & Quantitative Economics degree is intended for students who desire a more quantitative master's-level training in economics, with the aim of pursuing a career in rigorous financial analysis and in international economics; industrial economics; economics consulting; quantitative risk management in a financial institution; teaching at the university level; performing research at a government agency or think tank; or preparing to enter a PhD program in economics or a related business field.

Students begin this process by pursuing a standard BA in Economics track until their junior year, at which time those with a qualifying GPA may apply to the BA/MS EQE track. Once accepted, students begin taking courses in the Master's of Science program. 

Why pursue a combined BA/MS EQE degree?
The BA/MS EQE degree emphasizes the acquisition of applied econometric skills that can then be used to perform business research, which is increasingly in-demand.The BA/MS EQE degree also provides the most advanced training in economics possible, short of obtaining the PhD degree.

Interested students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Assistant Director of the MS Program as early as possible in their decision-making process in order to develop a sequence of coursework that is appropriate to their interests and objectives. Students must meet the requirements of both the BA and MS portions of the program.

141 credit hours are required for the combined BA/MS EQE degree.

• 105 credits at the undergraduate level, including a minimum of 20 credits in economics and all university requirements
• 36 credits in economics at the graduate level

If, after entering the BA/MS EQE program, a student wishes to withdraw from the MS portion, it is important to note that only six graduate credits can be used toward the BA degree without special approval from the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

BA/MS EQE Core Courses

• ECO 505 Microeconomic Theory
• ECO 507 Macroeconomic Theory
• ECO 551 Math for Economists
• ECO 561 Economic Fluctuation & Forecasting
• ECO 567 Economics and Game Theory
• ECO 569 Industrial Organization
• ECO 581 Econometrics 2

Substitutions and Waivers
ECO 505, ECO 507 and ECO 506 may be substituted for ECO 405, ECO 407 and ECO 406, respectively, with the permission of the Director of the MS Program. A waiver exam may be taken for ECO 580 and ECO 581. (Please contact the Assistant Director of the MS Program for details.) Please note: Even with specific course waiver approval, a student must fulfill the degree credit requirements by choosing a graduate elective. A total of 18 undergraduate economics credits and 36 MS credits are still required for the degree.

Specializations
BA/MS EQE students may choose the General Economics track or one of two specializations:

• Financial Economics Track: This track requires five courses: 1) Advanced Financial Economics; 2) Risk Management; 3) Accounting; 4) Empirical Methods in Finance; and 5) Asset Valuation. Three elective 3-credit hour courses are also required to complete the degree. Students in this track are trained in sophisticated modern methods to price assets, assess and hedge risk, evaluate investment projects and understand the operation of the equity, fixed income, options, futures and derivative markets. 
• International Economics Track: This track requires five courses: 1) International Economics; 2) International Finance; 3) Topics in International Economics; 4) Topics in Microeconomics; and 5) Economic Development or Economies of East Asia. Three elective 3-credit hour courses are also required to complete the degree. Students in this track are trained in modern international trade and exchange rate theories, understand the link between foreign and domestic financial and goods markets, and should become acquainted with the idiosyncratic characteristics of the East Asian markets.