M.A. Program

M.A. Program

Who can benefit?

The program is well suited to those:

  • wishing to pursue a career that requires an advanced degree in economics;
  • who want to pursue a Ph.D in economics but need more preparation to get into a top program; and/or
  • with undergraduate training in economics in an institution that is less known to U.S. employers and institutions.

Why Penn State?

Our M.A. program

  • is administered and taught by the same tenured and tenure-track faculty who teach and supervise our Ph.D. students. Learn more by visiting our faculty directory
  • provides rigorous training in quantitative approaches as well as in economic theory. It will prepare our students for future economics-related careers, whether they are academic or not
  • provides numerous research opportunities within the Department which is one of the top research institutions in the country
  • offers qualified students the opportunity to take our Ph.D. courses

STEM Designation

Our graduate program (M.A. and Ph.D.) has been reclassified as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics). Students in STEM degree programs can apply for a 24 month STEM extension of F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Liberal Arts About the College

Information on the honors code and the college values statement for graduate students available at: