For students wishing to combine the quantitative skills of an economics degree with the practical applications of a business degree, the Economics Department offers an M.A. Economics/M.S. Finance dual degree program. This 42 credit-hour program is offered jointly with the Graduate School of Business. The dual degree program is intended to create highly-skilled research professionals with considerable econometric skill as well as familiarity with their chosen financial institutions. Given the similarity in course work within the two programs there can be considerable time savings for the student.  Students without an accounting background need to take BUSN 6550 before the other courses in Business and Finance. This does not count toward the 14 courses for the degrees.

The Dual Degree

A “dual” degree means that students who complete the program earn two master’s degrees: MA in economics and MS in finance. Students interested in completing the dual degree in economics and finance must apply separately to each program, meet the admission requirements of each program, and be accepted by each program. If one program accepts a student for the dual degree but the other program does not, then the student may not graduate under the dual degree program. Students may apply to both programs at the same time or apply to the economics program first, and then to the finance program after their first semester, or vice versa. Both programs must be completed in the same semester to take advantage of the dual degree program. Further information about this program can be obtained from either the Department of Economics or the Business School.