Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Economics

Graduate

Megan McDermott MA Grad 2009 

Master of Arts in Economics

The Master of Arts program in Economics serves two audiences. Those who view the M.A. as their terminal degree obtain the training in analytic and quantitative skills that prepares them well for a career in business, government, or a nonprofit organization. Others find the M.A. useful as a stepping stone for further education. Students acquire or update the skills necessary to pursue a Ph.D. in economics, or obtain an economics foundation that enriches doctoral-level studies in business, finance, marketing, law, planning, or public policy. Classes are demanding, but taught in a nurturing and friendly environment that encourages student-faculty and student-student interaction within and outside of the classroom. We offer our classes in the evening to accommodate the schedules of those who work elsewhere while pursuing their education. Students can complete the program on either a full-time or part-time basis. In either case, courses are scheduled to allow timely completion of the program.

Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. program is designed to (i) advance knowledge concerning Health Economics and Philanthropy/Nonprofit Economics; (ii) develop the skills essential for our graduates to conduct independent research in these two areas. The two fields for our Ph.D. program are Health Economics and Philanthropy/Nonprofits Economics.

The department currently has 18 faculty members and we are currently recruiting two more. Our faculty have well established, internationally recognized research programs, and this is especially true in applied microeconomics. The department has consistently moved up the research rankings ladder in economics. The most recent department ranking we are aware of places IUPUI well within the top 100 research departments in the U.S. and in the top 200 in the world.  An online ranking at econphd.net in 2007 considered subfields and listed IUPUI in the top 50 worldwide for the subarea, health/demographics/social security.

We are recruiting our first doctoral class to enter in fall 2010. We expect to start small but should scale up to about 20 in residence within a few years. This means substantial individual attention for students admitted to the program. Students are normally accepted directly for Ph.D. study; we also expect there to be occasional cases where someone starts in the M.A. program, shows potential and enters the Ph.D. program.

As prerequisite, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent level of education from an institution outside the U.S. The department recruits promising students from the United States and around the world. Financial support in the form of a limited number of fellowships and assistantships is available and competitively awarded. Applications must be received by January 15th for financial aid consideration. Previous study of economics can be helpful, but is not essential. What is essential is that entering students have sufficient preparation in mathematics. The Ph.D. program is quantitatively oriented, and students are expected to be able to use linear algebra and the calculus of several variables in their first-year courses.