Master of Science in Applied Economics

The Master of Science in Applied Economics is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the core economic fields, with a strong focus on evidence-based decision-making, quantitative methods, and data analysis.  Students are introduced to a framework for analysis that can be applied to a variety of areas such as business and financial management, market research, international trade, public policy, health care and public health, and even criminal justice and law.  The M.S. in Applied Economics provides graduates with the applied analytical skills and advanced tools needed to be competitive in today’s labor market.

The MSAE is a flexible online program that is set up to accommodate full-time students as well as working professionals.  The MSAE can be completed in as little as one year for those taking a full class load (four classes per long semester and two classes in the summer) or two years or more for those that prefer a slower pace.

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science in Applied Economics program must:

1. Complete the online graduate application form.
2. Pay the application fee.

Additionally, applicants must submit the following material directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Official transcript(s) from all previous college work (except SHSU graduates).
2. A current resume.

Graduate Application Deadlines

• Fall - August 1st
• Spring - December 1st 

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.  Applicants will typically receive an admission decision within two weeks of application. 

Admissions Criteria:

Admission to the program will be competitive and based on a holistic evaluation of each application.  Admissions for new students will take place in Fall and Spring.  The program does not have specific major or class requirements for admission.

To be considered for admission, each applicant should meet the following:

1.  A baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution with one of the following:

• A 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work  (plus any completed graduate courses). The relevant GPA is the GPA from courses taken at the degree granting institution.

OR

• An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 from their degree granting U.S. institution and have at least three years of relevant managerial or professional experience.  This is done typically through a review of the applicant's resume.  Normally, the required experience is earned after completion of the undergraduate degree.  A committee will assist, if needed, in determining if the applicant's experience meets the "relevant managerial or professional experience" threshold.

2.  Applicants who have an undergraduate degree from a non-U.S. institution must satisfy all of the following:

• GRE score in the quantitative section of at least 155 or a GMAT of with a score of 34 in the quantitative section
•  TOEFL score of at least 79 or IELTS of at least 6.5
•  English translations and evaluations of official transcripts

3.  The Department of Economics and International Business may suggest the completion of an undergraduate level quantitative course for those applicants who do not have credit for six hours, with a letter grade of at least C, of college level quantitative coursework. Quantitative coursework could be in mathematics or statistics or business analysis or similar. This undergraduate level course does not apply to the 30-hour graduate credit hour requirement of the MSAE degree, and it is not a requirement for admission.

The course, ECON 5300, is a required class for students who do not have at least six hours of undergraduate or graduate economics credits with a letter grade of C or higher in each class. ECON 5300 does not apply to the 30-hour graduate credit hour requirement of the MSAE degree, and it is offered on a regular basis in the College of Business Administration.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The M.S. in Applied Economics is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Economic modeling of observed economic phenomena 
• Data analysis 
• Oral and written communication of solutions to problems 
• Impact evaluation
• Coding for predictive modeling