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The Darla Moore School of Business

The University of South Carolina

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Program Overview

Masters of Economics

Sales and revenue forecasting, marketplace trend analysis, econometric modeling—all of these skills are grounded in applied economics. They’re also among the most sought-after skills in business and government.

The Darla Moore School of Business’ Master of Arts in Economics program combines a solid foundation in economics with an emphasis on applying that knowledge to real-world situations. While the program prepares students for careers as professional economists in government and business, some graduates use the degree as a springboard toward further education in law or a doctoral degree in
business or economics.

The program is compact—three semesters in length for most students—but powerful, with course offerings in such areas as business economics, quantitative economics, money and banking, economic theory, growth and development, international economics, and industrial organization and public policy.

Program options

The structure of the Master of Arts in Economics (MA) program allows for flexibility to match the particular interests and needs of the individual student. All students will acquire a strong background in economics, but those seeking an applied emphasis are provided opportunities for courses and research experiences with direct relevance to contemporary business and social problems. Students may choose to specialize in the department’s strengths in international economics and economic growth or the applied microeconomic areas of health, labor and environmental economics. Regardless of chosen specialty, all graduates of the program demonstrate mastery of the following core skills:

  • ability to approach economics-related issues analytically
  • ability to use data appropriately to answer economic research questions empirically
  • ability to effectively communicate research findings.

Thesis and Non-thesis option

The MAEcon program now offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option, depending on the student's preference. If a student chooses the thesis track, 6 of the total program credit hours will be thesis work. If a student opts for the non-thesis track, the thesis credit hours will be replaced with 6 credits (2 classes) of electives. All students must pass a comprehensive exam after completing the core courses.