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Economics (M.A.)

The Master of Arts in Economics at Old Dominion University exposes students to modern economics and the analytical skills needed to succeed in today’s job market. The program is flexible —full-time and part-time— and delivers a solid foundation in economic theory coupled with cutting edge statistics and analytical methods.

Economics (M.A.)


Description


What is Economics at ODU like?

The Master of Arts in Economics at Old Dominion University exposes students to modern economics and the analytical skills needed to succeed in today’s job market. The program is flexible —full-time and part-time— and delivers a solid foundation in economic theory coupled with cutting edge statistics and analytical methods.

Program Highlights


What makes Economics at ODU unique?

  • The program focuses on providing students with analytical skills geared toward business and policy analysis.

  • Classes are taught by research-active faculty and are offered at time to accommodate both full-time and part-time students.

  • The program is a STEM-designated degree according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. International students completing the program may apply for 3 years of work in the United States through the extended OPT program.

  • Students will be prepared to earn the Certified Business Economist (CBE) designation from National Association for Business Economists (NABE).

Careers


What are some careers in this field?

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Economists

$112,650

MEDIAN SALARY


Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

Data Scientists

$89,810 (Approx)

MEDIAN SALARY


Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

Urban and Regional Planners

$74,350

MEDIAN SALARY


Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Financial Quantitative Analysts

$76,630

MEDIAN SALARY


Develop quantitative techniques to inform securities investing, equities investing, pricing, or valuation of financial instruments. Develop mathematical or statistical models for risk management, asset optimization, pricing, or relative value analysis.

Employers


Graduates from this major have gone to work at

City of Portsmouth, City of Virginia Beach, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Hampton University, Headquarters, Circuit City, Federal Reserve Bank at Richmond.

Courses


What are some courses offered in Economics at ODU?

ECON 700:
Economic Analytics


This course provides the skills necessary to successfully identify, acquire, manage, and analyze economic data. The course primarily focuses on the application of statistical methods in support of economic analysis. During the course, students will (1) develop research hypotheses; (2) identify data to test the hypotheses; (3) utilize coding to access and obtain data, (4) use descriptive statistics to discuss the properties of the data, (5) explore the bivariate least squares estimator, and (6) interpret and present the results of economic analysis.

ECON 708:
Econometrics III


Issues in cross-section and panel data, focuses on problems such as selection bias, heterogeneity, unobserved heterogeneity, treatment effects, truncation and censoring. The course covers multivariate techniques such as principal component analysis and factor analysis, along with event studies and nonparametric and semiparametric estimators. Prerequisites: ECON 707 or equivalent.

Requirements


What are the requirements to apply for Economics at ODU?

Students entering the Master of Arts program in Economics should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Graduate Admission)

  • All master’s candidates must pass written comprehensive examinations in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics I, and one elective course area selected by the student. Writing skills commensurate with the level of this degree are also a requirement for graduation from this program. Near the completion of formal course work, candidates conduct independent research projects with the non-thesis or thesis option. Students who choose the non-thesis option register for ECON 697 and ECON 698 in the last semesters of course work. Non-thesis students conduct independent research projects under the guidance of a department faculty member. Students must first register for ECON 697, a reading course under the supervision of a faculty member, for three credits, and then register for ECON 698, the research project writing course, also under the supervision of a faculty member, for three credits. Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation.

For admission to the Economics program


GPA:

Must have at least a 3.0 grade point average in their major


Cost

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Virginia Resident


Per Credit:

$ 571

Non-Resident


Per Credit:

$ 1,394

Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States


Per Credit:

$ 595

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid

Next Steps


I like this program. What are the next steps?

Contact


Need help applying?

Meet Your Enrollment Team

Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR


Name:

Christopher Colburn


Location:

2047 CONSTANT HALL, NORFOLK, VA, 23529



Office:

757-683-4341


For General Inquiries:

gradecon@odu.edu


Graduate Admissions


Location:

1000 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529


Phone Office:

757-683-3685


Fax:

757-683-6512


Email:

gradadmit@odu.edu


International Admissions


Location:

2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529


Phone Office:

757-683-3701


Fax:

757-683-3651


Email:

intladm@odu.edu

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