Economics, M.S.
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
Graduates of the M.S. in Economics program from WVU's John Chambers College of Business and Economics emerge as high-level quantitative economists, adept at analyzing complex policy issues using modern data analysis and econometric methods. This program equips you with the technical skills sought after by national employers and the ability to apply your knowledge to a wide range of policy areas, including public finance, health economics, and regional economics.
Cost:
$1,043 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
10 Courses / 30 Credits
Duration:
One to two years / 8-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2026 Admission Term: Fall
Learning Format:
Online courses
Program Overview
Become a High-Level Quantitative Economist
The M.S. in Economics from WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics prepares you to become a high-level quantitative economist, equipped to tackle complex policy challenges using advanced econometric and data analysis techniques. This flexible, career-friendly program empowers you to make a real-world impact across diverse policy areas.
- Policy-Focused Expertise: Apply microeconomic theory to evaluate consumer and firm behavior, market dynamics, and government interventions.
- Technical Mastery: Build and estimate econometric models using R, and structure administrative data for efficient analysis.
- Real-World Application: Analyze public finance, health economics, and regional economics with tools in high demand by national employers.
- Clear Communication: Learn to synthesize policy knowledge and present empirical findings in professional, written formats.
- Flexible Format: Designed to fit your career, the program allows you to pursue your degree without pausing your professional momentum.
Curriculum
Develop Practical Skills
- Explain the choices of economic factors, such as consumers and firms, using microeconomic theory.
- Evaluate the impacts of imperfectly competitive markets and government intervention on society and groups with society.
- Synthesize the current state of knowledge on a policy.
- Describe the efficient structure, storage, and usage of administrative data.
- Build theoretically sound econometric models.
- Employ R to obtain parameter estimates of magnitude and empirical relevance, and
- Produce clear and straightforward summaries of empirical results across a number of written contexts.
Meet the Faculty
- ECON 510: Microeconomic Theory, 3 credit hours
- ECON 520: Small Data Methods, 3 credit hours
- ECON 582: MS Economics Practicum, 3 credit hours
Empirical Economics
- ECON 525: Economic Theory and Practice, 3 credit hours
- ECON 526: Causal Inference, 3 credit hours
- ECON 561: Regional Economics, 3 credit hours
Political Economy
- ECON 521: History of Economic Thought, 3 credit hours
- ECON 522: Institutional Economics, 3 credit hours
- ECON 523: American Economic History, 3 credit hours
- ECON 521: History of Economic Thought, 3 credit hours
- ECON 522: Institutional Economics, 3 credit hours
- ECON 523: American Economic History, 3 credit hours
- ECON 525: Econometric Theory and Practice, 3 credit hours
- ECON 526: Causal Inference, 3 credit hours
- ECON 541: Public Economics Theory and Practice, 3 credit hours
- ECON 561: Regional Economics, 3 credit hours
- ECON 565: Health Economics Theory and Practice, 3 credit hours
- ECON 571: Economics of Labor, 3 credit hours
- ECON 510, 3 credit hours
- ECON 520, 3 credit hours
- Area of Emphasis, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hour
Year One, Spring Semester
- Area of Emphasis, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 9 credit hours
Year One, Summer Semester
- Area of Emphasis, 3 credit hours
- ECON 582, 3 credit hours
Grand Total: 30 credit hours
- ECON 510, 3 credit hours
- ECON 520, 3 credit hours
Year One, Spring Semester
- Area of Emphasis, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hours
Year One, Summer Semester
- Area of Emphasis or Elective, 3 credit hours
- Area of Emphasis, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hours
Year Two, Spring Semester
- Area of Emphasis or Elective, 3 credit hours
Year Two, Summer Semester
- ECON 582, 3 credit hours
Grand Total: 30 credit hours
Admissions Events
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- Create a username and password
- Once an account has been created, applicants can edit the application at their discretion. Please complete all questions asked.
- When selecting a start term, choose "fall."
- Upload an up-to-date resume.
- Pay an application fee.
- Submit application.
- Applicants will then need to send their transcripts to WVU's Office of Admissions.
- It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe , National Student Clearinghouse , or Parchment.
- If the applicant's undergraduate school offers "e-script" (an official electronic copy of transcripts), email the transcripts to GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu. This will help expedite the admissions process.
- If they do not offer this service, please have your official transcripts mailed to: WVU Hub P.O. Box 6004 Morgantown, WV 26506
- International Students - WVU’s minimum score requirements for English proficiency
are:
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with Our Team
Ann Clayton Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-0915 Ann.Clayton@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
The job outlook for economics-related occupations is growing faster than average due to increasing demand for quantitative skills and critical reasoning associated with training in economics.
Economics as a discipline empowers individuals to comprehend the complexities of the world they inhabit. By providing insights into the behavior of individuals, corporations, markets, and governments, it equips people with the ability to effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise from a constantly changing environment.
Career Paths
- Economist: Economists work for a variety of employers, including government agencies, research organizations, and consulting firms, and use economic theory and quantitative analysis to research and analyze economic issues.
- Data Analyst: Data analysts use statistical methods and programming languages like Python or R to clean, organize, and analyze data. With a master’s degree in economics, you can leverage your training in data analysis and quantitative methods to pursue a career in data analysis.
- Financial Analyst: Financial analysts work in the finance industry to help individuals and organizations make investment decisions. With a master’s degree in economics, you have a strong foundation in finance and can pursue a career as a financial analyst.
- Policy Analyst: Policy analysts work for government agencies, think tanks, or consulting firms to research and analyze public policy issues. With a master’s degree in economics, you have a deep understanding of economic theory and can apply it to policy analysis.
- Professor: With a master’s degree in economics, you can pursue a career in academia and become a professor. This involves teaching economics courses at the undergraduate or graduate level, conducting research, and publishing scholarly articles.