Cleveland State University

The primary objective of the graduate program in economics is to develop economists who can meet the demand of the private sector, the not-for-profit sector, and government and are well trained in the tools of economic analysis and measurement. The program stresses a strong foundation in standard economic theory, econometric methods, and their application to problems faced by businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and government agencies. Although the Master of Arts in Economics is designed as a terminal degree program, students who complete the program are well prepared for further graduate study in economics. The program is aimed at students with an undergraduate degree in economics or business, as well as students with undergraduate training in other academic fields.

Admission Requirements

The department follows the general requirements of the College of Graduate Studies regarding Regular and Provisional status. To be considered for admission as a Regular graduate student, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least a 2.75 grade point average and have completed intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, calculus, and statistics. International applicants must provide official TOEFL and GRE (general) test scores received directly from ETS. Students are advised to begin the program in the fall semester.  (International students are only admitted to begin in the fall semester.)

Program Goals

The graduate program in Economics at Cleveland State University serves two types of students:

a. Those who are interested in continuing their studies at the Ph.D. level; and
b. Those who are interested exclusively in the terminal M.A. degree to advance themselves in the job market.

To meet the objectives of the program the department offers course work in four broad areas:

1. Mathematical Economics and Econometrics: In this grouping, students are required to take 15 semester hours of course work. These courses help students develop mathematical skills, statistical and econometrics skills which can be applied in problem solving.
2. Microeconomic Theory: 3 semester hours of course work in this area are required to provide strong analytical background in the theories of consumer and firm behavior, theories of markets, pricing and regulation.
3. Macroeconomic Theory, Money and Finance: 6 semester hours of course work in this area are required to provide students with an understanding of the workings of the economy and the world of money and finance.
4. Electives/Thesis: 6 semester hours are required. Students have a choice of completing two electives or 6 hours of thesis research culminating in a Master’s thesis.

These 4 groupings make up the total of 30 required semester hours to complete the MA Program.