Economics

• Department Information
• M.A. in Economics
  
• Certificate
• Graduate Courses

Department Information

Department of Economics
College of Business and Economics
Office: Valley Business & Technology Center, VBT 442
Phone: (510) 885-3265

Professors Emeriti
Anthony K. Lima, Ph.D. Stanford University
Jane E. Lopus, Ph.D. University of California, Davis
Lynn C. Paringer, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Madison
Stephen Shmanske, Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles

Professors
James C. W. Ahiakpor, Ph.D. University of Toronto (Canada)
Gregory B. Christainsen, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Madison
Jed DeVaro (Chair), Ph.D. Stanford University

Assistant Professor
Nicolae Stoian, Ph.D. University of Arizona

Graduate Advisor: Nicolae Stoian

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M.A. in Economics

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, students must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and have a grade point average of 2.75 or better over the last 90 quarter units or 60 semester units of their undergraduate program. A student who does not meet the grade point requirements may be admitted at the discretion of the department pending receipt of other evidence of the student's academic achievement.

International students must show English proficiency by posting an official TOEFL score of 580 or above (237 on the Computer-Based TOEFL), or by posting an official transcript showing graduation with a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university, or an international college or university where English is the principal language of instruction, or by an official letter from the college or university certifying that English was the language of instruction.

Students enrolling in the program are expected to have completed the equivalent of MATH 1810 and ECON 4000 (mathematical economics) or a two-course sequence in calculus; STAT 1000 or 2010 or equivalent; and at least one course in intermediate micro-economics and one course in intermediate macro-economics. These course prerequisites must have been completed with a grade of 'C' or better and within 5 years of starting the program. Rare exceptions can be granted with permission from both the Department Chair and Graduate Advisor. Students who have not completed the Economics prerequisites may enroll in the undergraduate courses to fulfill the prerequisites.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an M.A. in Economics from Cal State East Bay will: (1) demonstrate an advanced understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory; (2) be able to apply economic theory and methods at an advanced level to selected economic topics through independent research; (3) demonstrate the ability to present orally a coherent, logical economic argument grounded in economic theory; (4) demonstrate the ability to present in writing a coherent, logical economic argument grounded in economic theory and methods in writing; (5) use appropriate computer technologies to develop research problems and present written and oral economic arguments.

Classification in the Program

There are three levels of advancement for students within the M.A. program: "Conditionally Classified Graduate" standing, "Classified Graduate" standing, and "Advancement to Candidacy." Note: If a student is in post-baccalaureate status but has not been accepted into a graduate degree program s(he) is an "Unclassified Post-baccalaureate" student. Admission to the university as an "Unclassified Post-baccalaureate" student in no way implies acceptance to a graduate degree program.

1. Conditionally Classified Graduate Standing
   A student who has been admitted to a graduate degree program but who has not satisfied all prerequisite coursework or other requirements such as the University Writing Skills Requirement is a "Conditionally Classified Graduate" student. A student may be admitted to a graduate degree program as a "Conditionally Classified" graduate student upon:
   1. submission of a written application, with required supporting documents, to the Admissions Office declaring an intent to pursue the M.A. degree in Economics;
   2. acceptance by the department; and
   3. completion of other appropriate requirements as specified in the Admission/Graduate chapter in this catalog.
2. Classified Graduate Standing
   A student who has been admitted to the M.A. program by meeting the requirements established in item 1 above; has fulfilled all prerequisite coursework and other requirements such as the University Writing Skills Requirement (UWSR); and has a strong background in economics may begin as a "Classified Graduate" student. Students admitted into the program but lacking such background will be designated as "Conditionally Classified Graduate" students until deficiencies are made up and they are recommended for "Classified Graduate" standing by the department. The student must have satisfied the University Writing Skills Requirement (UWSR) to become a "Classified Graduate" student. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.
3. Advancement to Candidacy
   To be Advanced to Candidacy in the M.A. program a student must:
   1. be a "Classified Graduate" student in good standing;
   2. have filed an approved program of study with the department;
   3. have completed at least 12 quarter units in Economics considered applicable by the department toward the M.A. degree requirements, including at least 8 quarter units of graduate level (6100-6999 series) work in residence at Cal State East Bay; and
   4. have been recommended for Advancement to Candidacy by the department.

Transfer of Courses

Upper division prerequisite and foundation and graduate courses will only be considered for equivalency or transfer credit if they are from AACSB accredited institutions. Exceptions will be made for programs that have current and signed agreements with the College of Business and Economics.

Requirements for Graduation

To be eligible for the M.A. degree in economics a student must:

1. have been Advanced to Candidacy;
2. have completed 45 quarter units of graduate work as indicated in (C) below, of which:
   1. all must have been earned within the five years just preceding the completion of the requirements for the degree;
   2. not fewer than 32 must have been completed in residence;
   3. not fewer than 28 must have been in Economics courses in the 6100-6999 series;
   4. not more than 5 may have been for a thesis (ECON 6910);
   5. not more than 13 have been taken in "Unclassified Post-baccalaureate" status and/or for extension and/or transfer course credit, as approved by the department;
   6. each course must have a grade of "C" or better and all 45 units must result in at least a 3.00 GPA;
3. have completed a satisfactory program of study (45 units) as approved by the department and the graduate coordinator, to include:
   1. Required Courses (20 units)
      • ECON 6101, 6102 Seminar: Micro-Economic Theory I, II (8)
      • ECON 6105 Seminar: Macro-Economic Theory (4)
      • ECON 6400 Seminar: Econometrics (4)
      • ECON 6511 Advanced Applied Econometrics (4)
   2. Five Seminars from: ECON 6200, 6250, 6315, 6370, 6520, 6680, 6700, 6710 (20 units)
   3. Choice of the following (5 units):
      1. ECON 6896 Research Methods (5)
      2. ECON 6910 University Thesis (5)
   4. Pass a two-part comprehensive exam: one in micro-economic theory and one in macro-economic theory
   5. Satisfy the other university requirements for graduation described in the Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Studies chapter at the beginning of the graduate section in this catalog. These include a 3.00 GPA and the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.

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Certificate

Graduate Economics Studies (45 units)

To be eligible for the Certificate in Graduate Economics Studies a student must complete a satisfactory program of study (45 units) as approved by the department and the graduate coordinator, to include:

1. Required Courses (25 units)
   • ECON 6101, 6102 Seminar: Micro-Economic Theory I, II (8)
   • ECON 6105 Seminar: Macro-Economic Theory (4)
   • ECON 6400 Seminar: Econometrics (4)
   • ECON 6896 Research Methods (5) 
   • ECON 6511 Advanced Applied Econometrics (4)
2. Five Seminars from: ECON 6200, 6250, 6315, 6370, 6520, 6680, 6700, 6710 (20 units)
3. Maintain a 3.00 overall GPA and a 2.5 GPA in the required courses listed under section "A" above and meet the University Writing Skills Requirement.

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Graduate Courses

Students who are not graduate students in the College of Business and Economics must consult with the instructor before registering for a graduate course in Economics. 

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Footnotes

1. Enrollment in this course is restricted to "Classified" and "Conditionally Classified Graduate" students. The course is a graduate program prerequisite, and its units cannot be applied to the 45 units required for any CBE graduate degree
2. Enrollment in these courses is restricted to "Classified" and "Conditionally Classified Graduate" students.
3. Undergraduate, upper division course plus a graduate tutorial module. Not open to students who have completed the parallel-numbered undergraduate course at Cal State East Bay for credit.

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