M.A. in Economics / Master of Public Administration Dual Degree

The M.A. in Economics and the MPA share a common orientation toward methodological rigor and skill development.  Students completing both degrees will be highly skilled in economic analysis as it applies to public policy and management problems.  They will have a substantial amount of practice applying these skills to policy problems through their coursework, internship, capstone and Masters paper research.

The joint degree will be of particular interest to students with an undergraduate background in economics, strong mathematical abilities, and a desire to work in the public policy arena with state governments; “think tanks” such as Rand Corporation or Brookings Institution; or policy/program evaluation organizations such as MDRC, Mathematica, or ABT Associates

Structure

Students need to apply and be admitted to both the M.A. in Economics and the MPA program.  The M.A. in Economics is highly quantitative and requires students to learn mathematical skills beyond what is required for the MPA.  Therefore, we expect that only a few students per year will be interested in this joint degree because of the selective nature of both programs and the rigorous mathematics requirement.

The M.A. in Economics and the MPA can be completed in two calendar years of full-time study (two academic years and one summer).  The MPA is a 48 credits program that normally takes two academic years (4 semesters) of full time study.  The M.A. in Economics requires 24 credits (normally two semesters) and a Masters paper.  The table below shows the requirements for the joint degrees.

The MPA program considers the M.A. in Economics coursework as sufficient to meet (and actually exceed) its requirements for statistical and economic analysis and the dual degree students will not need to complete PP 5375 Analytic Tools for Public Problems and PP 5376 Applied Quantitative Methods. The M.A. in Economics allows up to six credits to be taken from related departments.  Public Policy courses, specifically PP 391 Policy Analysis and PP 5370 Applied Research Design, can be used to meet six credits of the 24 credits required for the M.A. in Economics.  Students will be required to complete both a Masters paper for the M.A. in Economics and the MPA Capstone courses (PP 5315 and PP 5316).   

The dual degree will work best if coursework for the M.A. in Economics is completed first.  We expect that a student can complete requirements for the M.A. in Economics during the first year and complete all remaining requirements for the MPA program through courses taken during the following year and the intervening summer.  Below is a model program for obtaining the dual M.A in Economics and MPA.

M.A. in Economics/MPA Dual Degree
Model Program

Year 1

Summer – two courses (6 credits)

Year 2

*Note: can be taken over two semesters.

Contact us

For more information about the dual degree in Economics and Public Administration contact Valerie Rogers Department of Public Policy Administrative Program Director at 860-570-9343.

Click here for more information about applying to the M.A. in Economics.