MS in Applied Economics | IIF Certificate in Forecasting Practice, now online

The International Institute of Forecasters, the pre-eminent professional organization in the field of forecasting, offers a Certificate in Forecasting program that recognizes achievment of IIF-established standards for those planning to enter the field of forecasting. The IIF has approved two sequences of Applied Economics Program courses as meeting requirements for awarding its Certificate in Forecasting Practice: Those who have completed Statistics, Econometrics, Macroeconomic Forecasting, and Microeconometrics or Macroeconometrics, with at least a grade of B, and who have participated in an additional single-session seminar on "Forecasting in Organizations", will receive the Certificate.

All components of the Certificate in Forecasting Practice are available fully online. The Certificate can be earned by those who meet the admissions requirements of the JHU Applied Economics Program, have successfully taken a high-quality Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory course, or equivalent [or high-quality Intermediate Micro- and Macroeconomic Theory courses, or equivalents], from us or from another institution of higher education, and passed the required four courses + single session mini course.

Students who have high-quality MBA's will typically qualify.

Students who already have an MA/MS in Economics can typically additionally obtain a waiver for Statistics and Econometrics, so that they can earn the Certificate with only two additional regular courses plus the single session mini course.

One does not need to be a Degree Candidate at the JHU Applied Economics Program to earn the Certificate, yet those seeking only the Certificate share the same classes with our Degree Candidates. Non-degree seeking students interested in the Certificate apply as Special Students, submitting a syllabus of their Intermediate Macro Theory course, or equivalent [often called Business, Government, and the World Economy in Business Schools], and, if appropriate, their Intermediate Micro Theory course, or equivalent [often called Managerial Economics in Business Schools]. Upon completion of the requirements, these students receive a transcript from Johns Hopkins University, listing courses and grades earned, and the Certificate in Forecasting Practice from the International Institute of Forecasters.

The component courses will be offered online and on site virtually every Summer, Fall and Spring semester. The mini course on Forecasting in Organizations is offered online three times per year.

Those interested in individual markets rather than the aggregate economy would skip Macroeconometrics and instead enroll in Microeconometrics -- online in Fall and Spring, on site in all three semesters. This option requires the Intermediate Micro Theory course, or equivalent, as an additional prerequisite.

Thus, the Certificate in Forecasting Practice can be earned in two to five semesters, depending on substantive area of interest and prior preparation. The cost of this certificate program is: Application fee of $75 + tuition for four courses @ $3030 per course + $150 online fee per course + $150 for single-session seminar + $200 to IIF = $13,070, payable by course or when otherwise due. Total cost is reduced by $3,180 per waived course; up to two courses can be waived.

For answers to any questions, please e-mail Dr. Ahmed Mahmud (amahmud2@jhu.edu), Applied Economics Program Coordinator.