Applied Economics (online) (ECAE)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Behavioral and Social Sciences

ABSTRACT

The Online Master of Science (MS) in Applied Economics (ECAE) is a professional master's degree program designed primarily to enhance the professional development of applied economists.  The program is not designed to prepare students for PhD programs in economics.  The program prepares students to work as analysts in government agencies, private firms, and non-governmental organizations.

The ECAE program is an evening program with synchronous online class meetings one evening per week (Washington, DC time zone). While there is some asynchronous online content in all of our courses, students are expected to participate in the weekly synchronous class meetings and engage with the course instructors and the other students during those meetings. Students seeking fully asynchronous and self-paced instruction should not enroll in our program.

The ECAE program operates on a quarter-term academic calendar.  Students can complete the 10-course ECAE program in 15 months if they take 2 courses per quarter.

The ECAE program's curriculum is identical to that of the ECAO (DC-based) and ECAM (on-campus) programs. All credits earned online in the ECAE program location would count for the in-person programs if the student transfers to an in-person version of the program.

Students enrolled in the online program are able to take some courses in the in-person DC program and vice versa.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The economics department does not offer fellowships or graduate assistantships to any students in the ECAE program.  Domestic students in the program are eligible for the US Department of Education's Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans and Federal Grad PLUS Loans.  Some of our students also have their tuition paid, at least in part, by an employer or other 3rd party. The University's Financial Services Center provides Third-Party Billing when the third party requires a bill from the university.  More information about financial aid is available from the University of Maryland's Office of Student Financial Aid.  

After submitting their completed application, international applicants who require a student visa will be asked to complete a "Certificate of Finances" form. The form is designed to verify that international applicants have the resources necessary to finance their pursuit of our degree if they are accepted and choose to enroll. 

CONTACT

Dr. John Straub, PhD
Program Director
Master of Science Program in Applied Economics
Online Program
Telephone: 301.405.3531
Email: Straub@umd.edu

Herman Byrd
Program Coordinator
Master of Science Program in Applied Economics
Online Program
Telephone: 202.525.4308
Email: OnlineMasters-econ@umd.edu

Website: http://masters.econ.umd.edu

Courses:  ECON

Relationships: Applied Economics (off-campus) (ECAO),  Applied Economics (on-campus) (ECAM), Economic Analysis (off-campus) (Z074), Economic Analysis (on-campus) (Z098), Economic Analysis (online) (Z174)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• CV/Resume
• Supplementary Application
• Introductory Macroeconomics course (grade of B or higher)
• Introductory Microeconomics course (grade of B or higher)
• Introductory Calculus course (grade of B or higher in Calculus I, or AP Calculus score of 4 or 5)

Applicants have the option to pursue this degree on the College Park campus, the Washington, DC location, or online. Classes are offered in the evening and the curriculum is identical in all programs, however, the programs operate on different academic calendars.

The College Park version of the program (ECAM) operates on a traditional semester-based academic calendar and full-time students can complete the degree in as little as 16 months. The DC version of our program (ECAO) and the online program (ECAE) run on a quarter-based academic calendar and full-time students can complete the 10-course degree in 15 months.

International applicants who need the University of Maryland to sponsor an F-1 student visa can attend either in-person program, DC or College Park, but not online.

Applicants who are unsure about their preferred location or visa requirements should contact masters-econ@umd.edu before submitting an application.

The Golden Identification Program is not eligible for Continuing Education Programs (Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, Non-Credit Learning) administered through the Office of Extended Studies. To learn more about Golden ID, click here.

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Program Website: masters.econ.umd.edu 
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying

Classes are held online.