For Prospective Graduate Students
About the M.A. Program in Economics
Admissions Requirements
Admissions Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Prospective Students
Application deadlines: April 1 (Fall admission) and November 1 (Spring admission)
About the M.A. Program in Economics
The Master of Arts program in Economics is designed to assist students to develop the analytical skills and reflective capacities required to think clearly and coherently about economic matters and to apply their skill and knowledge effectively to problem areas. The program seeks to prepare students for careers where economics is applicable. The department offers coursework and supervised study in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and a number of other fields of interest.
In line with the applied emphasis of the Graduate Program, the department maintains a relationship with both the California State government and many private organizations in the Sacramento area. Graduates of the master's degree program have gone on to jobs in government at all levels as well as to careers in labor unions, banks, manufacturing corporations, and other forms of private organizations.
Students interested in applying to the M.A. Program in Economics may contact the Graduate Coordinator.
Admissions Requirements
Requirements for admission to the M.A. Program in Economics are given in the catalog.
Admission as a classified graduate student in Economics requires:
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted;*
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate Economics work;
- MATH 026A (Calculus I) or equivalent; recommend MATH 026B (Calculus II) or equivalent;
- Graduate Record Examination;
- two letters of recommendation from undergraduate instructors;
- a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (this requirement applies only to students earning degrees abroad whose primary language is not English);* and
- a baccalaureate degree.*
- intermediate macroeconomics (ECON 100A) and intermediate microeconomics (ECON 100B)**
Students who are interested in applying to the program that do not meet one or more of these requirements should see the FAQs section below. It may be possible for such students to be admitted to the program conditionally.
*Indicates requirements imposed by the University. These requirements cannot be waived. If students submit an application that does not meet these requirements, they will be denied admission by the Office of Graduate Studies. The student's application is not given to the Department to make an admission decision. Students may apply to the M.A. program in Economics while completing their baccalaureate degree, but will need to show proof of degree completion before registering for classes.
** While intermediate macroeconomics and intermediate microeconomics are not technically admission requirements, they are prerequisites for ECON 200M: Math for Economists. This course is typically taken in the student's first semester in the M.A. Program. Students with a baccalaureate degree in economics have this requirement satisfied in the major. Typically, students majoring in other subjects (business, mathematics, engineering, etc.) have not.
Both the GRE and TOEFL are administered through the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Study guides and other information on the GRE can be found at Study Guide Zone.
Admissions Procedures
Complete admissions procedures are given in the catalog. The University deadline for submitting an application is April 1st for admission in the fall semester and October 1st for admission in the spring semester. All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following documents with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:
- an online application for admission;
- two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State;
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical portion); and
- TOEFL scores, if applicable.
In addition to the above documents, arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to the Economics Department. Any applicant not meeting the first three admission requirements as specified above should submit to the Department in writing his/her reasons for requesting a waiver of the admission requirements.
Domestic residents may apply online through the Office of Graduate Studies. International students (F or J visa) may apply through International Admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Prospective Students
I am interested in applying to the M.A. Program in Economics and...- I did not earn 3.0 or better in my last 60 units of coursework.
- I have not taken one or more of the prerequisite courses.
- I have not taken the GRE.
- I earned a baccalaureate degree in a subject other than Economics.
- I have not taken MATH 26B/31. Is this important?
- I am an international student.
- the application deadline has passed. Can I still apply?
- I was admitted as a conditionally classified student. What does this mean?
- I would like to complete some M.A. coursework while working on my baccalaureate degree. Can I do this?
- I took ECON 141 (or equivalent course) as an undergraduate. Does this course count toward my M.A. degree?
- I have had little/no coursework in Economics, but I have a strong Business/Mathematics/Public Policy background and I'm interested in the M.A. in Economics. Where should I start?
See FAQs for Current Graduate Students for more information on the M.A. Program in Economics.
The FAQs above are specific to the M.A. Program in Economics. The Office of Graduate Studies has compiled a comprehensive list of FAQs about the application/admission process, graduate student classifications, program costs, financial assistance, and other information.
I did not earn 3.0 or better in my last 60 units of coursework.
This is a University-wide requirement for students to be admitted into the Graduate Program. If you believe you are qualified for admission to the Graduate Program, you may contact the Graduate Coordinator to help you with the application process. In general, this requirement cannot be waived. A student not admitted to the program may enroll in coursework through Open University (as an unclassified student) to improve his/her GPA.
I have not taken one or more of the prerequisite courses.
Students must have completed the following coursework in order to be admitted into the M.A. Program:
MATH 26A or MATH 30 (Calculus I)
While the following courses are NOT requirements, they are prerequisite for nearly all graduate coursework. Students that have not completed these may be denied admission because they would be unable to enroll in graduate coursework:
ECON 100A: Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECON 100B: Intermediate Microeconomics
STAT 1: Introduction to Statistics
If a student has completed most of the coursework above, he/she may be admitted at the discretion of the Graduate Coordinator and Department Graduate Committee.
If you would like to complete the coursework above, you may do so through Open University. Once you have completed the coursework (or while it is in progress), you may apply for admission to the M.A. Program. Please consult the Graduate Coordinator to work with you to design a schedule that will insure your admission to the program.
I have not taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
This is an admission requirement. Failure to complete the GRE with sufficiently high marks may prevent students from being admitted into the program.
A student who has not completed the GRE, but has high grades (A- or better) in both MATH 26A/30 and English courses, may be admitted into the program conditionally, at the discretion of the Graduate Coordinator and Graduate Committee.
I earned a baccalaureate degree in a subject other than Economics.
An undergraduate degree in Economics is not required for admission to the M.A. Program. If a student demonstrates that he/she completed some undergraduate coursework in Economics (see above), then he/she may be admitted to the program. Historically, students have been admitted with baccalaureate degrees in Business, Engineering, Government/Political Science, History, and Mathematics.
I have not taken MATH 26B/31. Is this important?
In general, students working on 200-level courses find that inadequate math preparation is a significant obstacle to being successful in the M.A. program. The Department strongly recommends that students do complete a second semester calculus before enrolling in ECON 200M. Students who have not taken a second semester of calculus and do not have strong GRE scores are either not admitted to the program, or have difficulty passing the first semester of coursework in the M.A. program.
I am an international student.
International students on F or J visas are encouraged to contact International Admissions for advice on how to apply to the University. This office can be reached via e-mail at
intlinfo@csus.edu. It is important to contact International Admissions early, as it typically takes longer to verify your undergraduate coursework (if completed outside of the United States of America). More information is available through the Office of International Admissions.
the application deadline has passed. Can I still apply?
Applications may be considered after the deadline. If there is room for additional students, then the prospective student may be admitted if he/she is qualified for the M.A. Program in Economics. Late application/admission may mean that the student has a lower registration priority, possibly delaying the completion of coursework.
I was admitted as a conditionally classified student. What does this mean?
Students who have not completed all of the admission requirements, who earned low marks on the GRE, or who have less than outstanding grades in Calculus and Economics, may be admitted conditionally to the M.A. Program in Economics. The conditions for full classificiation vary depending on the individual student. Once the student meets these conditions, he/she may apply to be a full-classified graduate student. Students may not advance to candidacy until they are full classified.
I would like to complete some M.A. coursework while working on my baccalaureate degree. Can I do this?
Yes. If a student completes economics coursework (such as ECON 141 or other upper division Economics course) as an undergraduate, then he/she may count this coursework toward the M.A. degree if (1) the student does not count this course toward his/her undergraduate degree, and (2) the course is numbered 101 or higher and has prerequisites. Students are permitted to transfer only 6 units of coursework completed at California State University, Sacramento as undergraduates and unclassified (Open University) status (combined).
If an exceptional undergraduate student is interested in enrolling in 200-level coursework AND has satisfied the prerequisites, then he/she should seek the instructor's permission. If the student plans to count this coursework toward an M.A. degree in Economics, then he/she should contact the Graduate Coordinator.
I took ECON 141 (or equivalent course) as an undergraduate. Does this course count toward my M.A. degree?
If a student did complete ECON 141: Introduction to Econometrics (or the equivalent) as an undergraduate and does count this course toward his/her degree, then the student MAY NOT count this course toward the M.A. degree. Students are not permitted to double-count coursework required for the baccalaureate degree and the M.A. degree.
If a student did complete ECON 141 or the equivalent, then he/she will be permitted to choose another undergraduate, upper division Economics course in lieu of ECON 141. Students in this situation are encouraged to contact the Graduate Coordinator to insure that they are enrolling in appropriate coursework.
Students in either situation described above MAY NOT enroll in ECON 241: Applied Econometrics in their first semeter. ECON 200M is a prerequisite for ECON 241 and it MAY NOT be taken concurrently. It is important that students have sufficient experience in graduate-level coursework before enrolling in ECON 241.
I have had little/no coursework in Economics, but I have a strong Business/Mathematics/Public Policy background and I'm interested in the M.A. in Economics. Where should I start?
Students applying for admission are expected to have completed the following coursework, preferably with a B or better (prerequisites in parentheses):
ECON 1A: Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis (Principles of Macroeconomics)
ECON 1B:
Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis (Principles of Microeconomics)
STAT 1: Introduction to Statistics
ECON 100A: Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 1A and ECON 1B)
ECON 100B: Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 1A and ECON 1B)
Exceptional students that have no Economics coursework, may elect to take a challenge exam for ECON 1A and/or ECON 1B. A passing score on the challenge exam qualifies the student to enroll in ECON 100A, ECON and/or 100B through Open University. While completing ECON 100A/100B, students may complete ECON 141: Introduction to Econometrics and one other upper division course in Economics. See FAQs for Current Graduate Students for restrictions on Open University coursework.