IIF Certificate in Forecasting Practice, now on-line

Students in front of computer 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 will be available fully on-line from Fall, 2009. 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 seminar.

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 on-line, repeating at least annually, as follows:

Fall, 2009, 2010: Statistics;
Spring, 2010, 2011: Econometrics;
Summer, 2010, 2011: Macroeconomic Forecasting;
Fall, 2010, 2011: Macroeconometrics;
Fall, 2010, 2011: Single session on "Forecasting in Organizations".

Those interested in individual markets rather than the aggregate economy would skip Macroeconometrics in Fall, 2010, 2011and instead enroll in
Spring, 2011, 2012: Microeconometrics. This option requires the Intermediate Micro Theory course, or equivalent, as an additional prerequisite.

Thus, the Certificate in Forecasting Practice can be earned in four to five semesters, depending on substantive area of interest. The cost of this certificate program is: Application fee of $75 + tuition for four courses @ $2,715 per course + $150 on-line fee per course + $150 for single-session seminar + $200 to IIF = $11,885, payable by course or when otherwise due.

For answers to any questions, please e-mail Dr. Frank D. Weiss (fdweiss@jhu.edu), Associate Program Chair, Applied Economics Program.