Economics - M.S.

Graduate opportunities

By pursuing a Master of Science degree in Economics at the University of North Texas, you’ll be part of a program that hones your analytical skills for a rewarding career or prepares you for the rigors of a doctoral program in Economics.

The necessary course work explores a variety of topics related to econometrics, mathematical approaches to economic theory, and microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. The Department of Economics offers more econometrics courses than 23 of the top 25 economics Ph.D. programs with specialties in econometrics.

You’ll learn from faculty members who publish in the field’s top journals and have earned prestigious teaching awards from the university and nationwide. Their research focuses on econometrics, applied microeconomics, applied macroeconomics, public economics and international economics.

UNT graduates entering the job market are in high demand and often can pick from the most prestigious and rewarding positions available. Recent graduates work for:

• Allstate Insurance Company
• AT&T
• Bank of America
• Citibank
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• Fidelity Investments
• GM Financial
• Goldman Sachs
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Verizon

Outstanding student support

Our job placement officer works with employers in the North Texas region and beyond to connect you with employers seeking the skills we teach. This ensures you’re taught the skills most demanded by future employers. The officer also provides advice on job search techniques, résumé writing and job interviewing skills, and maintains a current database of job openings. These career services are in addition to those the university provides.

UNT also provides a wide variety of services exclusively to graduate students. The Graduate Student Writing Support office can help you with writing, and a Thesis Boot Camp and other specialized workshops are available through the Toulouse Graduate School. Many of the workshops are available online for your convenience.

Research centers and resources

The Center for Economic Education makes formal instruction of economics more accessible. The center maintains an in-service teacher-training program, develops instructional materials, conducts research in economic education and provides technical assistance in matters pertaining to instruction in economics.

The Center for Environmental Economic Studies and Research promotes, conducts and coordinates environmental economic research and complementary activities on our campus. The center addresses economic solutions that weigh costs and benefits to maximize society’s welfare. The goals are to investigate economic solutions to environmental problems and disseminate the research. Research has focused on water, garbage, biodiversity and property rights.

The Economics Research Group conducts economic analysis and public policy research. The group also provides forecasting and strategic planning services to businesses, governments, and non-profit agencies with an interest in economic development.

Attending UNT

Admissions requirements

You must meet the admission requirements for the graduate school and the following program requirements:

• Overall 3.0 GPA (Provisional admission may be possible if you have a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credits of undergraduate work.)
• GRE score of 300 or higher, with a quantitative score of 155 and above preferred
• Completion of courses in intermediate microeconomic theory, intermediate macroeconomic theory, calculus I (calculus II preferred but not required) and calculus-based statistics or econometrics with grades of at least B in each
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic potential
• Personal essay
• Current résumé

No specific undergraduate major is required. International students are required to score at least a 213 on the computer-based TOEFL exam, 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL exam or 6.5 on the IELTS.

Degree requirements

• 12 credit hours of required economics courses
• 9 credit hours of economics electives
• 6 credit hours of a thesis course or additional economics courses
• 6 credit hours in a minor
• Pass three written comprehensive exit exams

Financial assistance

The majority of our graduate students receive financial support through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, teaching fellowships and hourly employment in the Economics Help Center. The assistantship positions provide in-state tuition rates for out-of-state students. All students who submit complete application portfolios by March 1 are considered for financial support as research or academic assistants.

In addition, our department offers numerous scholarships that vary in availability depending on funding.

Applications for departmental scholarships can be obtained from the Department of Economics. The scholarship application deadline is usually the last day of February. Scholarships are awarded in April for the next academic year at the department’s annual awards banquet.

Information about other financial assistance programs is available at the financial aid website and the graduate school website.