Master of Arts in Economics Shared Credit Program

Program Overview

Our BA/MA in Economics Shared Credit Program enables undergraduates majoring in Economics to earn an MA in Economics with just one additional year of coursework. The program allows undergraduates to share 12 student credit hours of approved undergraduate level economics courses as credit towards both the undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate degree (M.A.) in Economics.

Applied Focus

As a BA/MA student in the Department of Economics at the University of New Mexico, you will have the opportunity to learn about applied research on the most pressing problems of this century. Working with a committed, diverse faculty, you will learn skills and knowledge through a series of upper-level undergraduate courses and by choosing one of the following specialized tracks:

  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Public Policy
  • Water Resources
  • Customized Specialization

Applying to the Program

Due to our applied program design and select cohort size, our admittance process is holistic and does not focus on a single attribute. We look for students who have not only strong academic records, appropriate preparation, and indicated potential for success, but also interests consistent with the strengths of our department.

As such we consider a wide range of factors when admitting applicants to the program. These include GPA, course preparedness, GRE scores (waived for applicants to the BA/MA Economics Program for Fall 2023 admission), letters of recommendation, and letter of intent.

Application Requirements:

  • UNM Economics Major
  • Junior-year academic standing
  • Cumulative overall GPA of 3.20 or higher
  • Cumulative GPA in economics courses of 3.50 or higher
  • Letter of Intent
  • CV or resume
  • Unofficial transcript
  • GRE scores from within the last three years (waived for 2023 applicants)
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation if they are from faculty in Economics. If not, three (3) letters of recommendation are required.
  • All other requirements for admission to UNM Graduate Studies must be met.

Application Process and Deadline:

  • In the beginning of Fall semester of junior year, meet with the Graduate Staff Advisor and/or Graduate Director to map out remaining coursework, begin to develop a letter of intent, CV or resume, and request letters of recommendation.
  • By February 1st in the Spring semester of junior year, complete the application.*

To become a part of this dynamic program ~ APPLY!

* Note: Admission to the graduate portion of the program is provisional until the undergraduate degree is awarded and the student maintains the eligibility requirements. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.20 or whose cumulative GPA in economics courses falls below 3.50 will not be admitted into the program.

Economics Coursework Requirements

The BA/MA in Economics Shared-Credit degrees require a minimum of 21 credit hours of undergraduate economics coursework towards the B.A., 12 credit hours of shared economics coursework that counts towards both the B.A. and M.A., and 18 credit hours of economics graduate coursework towards the M.A. Specific course requirements are below. Please see the UNM Catalog at the time of student admission for general degree requirements.

As an undergraduate of the Shared-Credit Program, you work through the normal requirements for the BA in Economics, earning 33 credit hours while completing the shared-credit courses:

  • 15 credit hours of major core courses: ECON 2110 (Macroeconomics Principles), ECON 2120 (Microeconomics Principles), ECON 300 (Intermediate Microeconomics I), ECON 303 (Intermediate Macroeconomics I), and ECON 309 (Introductory Statistics and Econometrics)
  • 6 credit hours of ECON electives (maximum of 3 credit hours from 2000-level courses)
  • 12 credit hours of shared credit courses, which include ECON 402/502 (Applied Economic Theory and Analysis) during senior year AND a minimum of three starred 400-level courses, including at least two from ECON *407 (Mathematical Methods in Economics), ECON *408 (Economic Forecasting Methods: A Time Series Approach), and *ECON 409 (Intermediate Econometrics)
  • Stats and Math sequence: MATH 1350 (Introduction to Statistics) and either MATH 1512: Calculus I or MATH 1430: Applications of Calculus

After you graduate with your BA and transition to graduate status of the Shared-Credit Program, you will complete the following graduate-level courses:

  • 2 semesters of ECON 538 (Topics in Applied Economics)
  • One of the four available tracks:
    • Quantitative Analysis: ECON 508 (Introduction to Statistics and Econometrics) and ECON 509 (Econometrics I)
    • Public Policy: Two semesters of PUBP 502 (Policy and Evaluation Lab) – offered by the Master of Public Policy Program
    • Water Resources: ECON 546 (Water Resources I: Contemporary Issues) and ECON 545 (Water Resources II: Models
    • Customized Specialization:  A minimum of six hours of relevant courses approved by the graduate advisor.
  • Six additional hours of graduate course work

Timeline

Year 1:

  • Complete ECON 2110, ECON 2120, and MATH 1350
  • Discuss interest in major with the Economics Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Year 2:

  • Complete MATH 1512 (or MATH 1430), ECON 300, and ECON 309
  • Continue discussions with Economics Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Year 3:

  • Complete ECON 303 and two ECON electives
  • Early in the fall semester, meet with the Economics Undergraduate Academic Advisor and either the Graduate Staff Advisor and/or Graduate Director to map out remaining coursework
  • By February 1st, submit completed application

Year 4:

  • Complete shared credit courses - ECON 502 and three starred 400-level courses, including at least two from ECON *407, ECON *408, and ECON *409
  • Early in spring, meet with the Graduate Staff Advisor and/or Graduate Director to map out graduate level coursework
  • Graduate with your BA!

Year 5:

  • Complete ECON 538 sequence, selected track courses, and two remaining graduate-level courses
  • Graduate with your MA!

Resources

Graduate Studies provides more information about the Graduate school at UNM. The Global Education Office provides important information for international applicants.

Please also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information, or email econgrad@unm.edu for further assistance and direction.