Program Length Options

The Economics Department is pleased to offer three program tracks that enable students to customize the educational experience according to their academic and career goals:

  • An accelerated 10-month track
  • An intermediate 18-month track
  • A long 24-month program track

Degree requirements in each our three tracks are identical; all three tracks require completion of our core (Macro, Micro, and Econometrics) courses, as well as 30 graded credit hours. The primary differences between tracks are time to degree completion and cost. Though the longer tracks allow more time for independent research, a thesis option is not required (nor offered) in any of the three tracks.

Regardless of program track, all students begin classes together during the summer (with a mid-July start). Ten-month students entering the program in July will graduate the following May; 18-month students will graduate at the end of the second fall semester enrolled (December); and 24-month students will graduate at the end of the second spring semester enrolled (May).

The 10-month track is a good fit for cost-conscious students, particularly those whose ultimate goal is to enroll in a PhD program immediately upon graduating.

The longer (18 and 24-month) degree tracks are a good fit for students looking to:

  • complete the degree at a slower pace
  • work part-time or pursue an internship while completing the degree (particularly international students subject to CPT rules)
  • build a stronger profile for PhD applications or private-sector jobs
  • take additional Economics courses

The following chart provides a side-by-side comparison of the three program tracks. The program staff will work closely with individual students on their course choices and the progress to degree.

Semester 10-month 18-month 24-month
Summer Math for Economists
Probability & Statistics
Optional: Real Analysis
Math for Economists
Probability & Statistics
Optional: Real Analysis
Math for Economists
Probability & Statistics
Optional: Real Analysis
Fall Microeonomics
Econometrics
Macroeconomics
1 elective
Microeconomics
Econometrics
Macroeconomics or 1 elective
Microeconomics
Econometrics
Macroeconomics or 1 elective
Spring 3-4 electives 2-3 electives
Optional: Internship
1-3 electives
Optional: Internship
Fall Macroeconomics (if not yet taken)
2-3 electives
Optional: Internship
Macroeconomics (if not yet taken)
1-3 electives
Optional: Internship
Spring 1-3 electives
Optional: Internship

The 18-month and 24-month tracks do involve additional costs, specifically per-semester charges and (for courses beyond the 30 credit requirement) per-credit charges. For more information, visit our Tuition page.