Degree Requirements

CURRICULUM

The curriculum of the Johns Hopkins Master of Arts in Applied Economics is concentrated on economic theory and the practice of econometric modelling. Whether your substantive focus is Public Policy, Business Economics, Macroeconomics and Financial Economics, International Economics and Development, Environmental Economics, or Health Economics, or Quantitative Methods, the courses and training are available here. The core, advanced econometrics, and elective courses educate and train economists to effect decisions about national and global markets and policy in the public and private sectors in what has become an almost instantaneous global economics environment.

Students working full-time can take up to two courses in Fall and Spring, and one in Summer, though it is recommended to begin with one per semester. Classes meet once per week [twice per week in Summer], and class sessions last 2hrs. 45. mins. They meet evenings Mo - Th, 6 PM - 8:45 PM, but the occasional course meets Saturday mornings, 10 AM - 12:45 PM.

Students not working full-time who wish to complete the degree in much under two years, are advised that their studies must be carefully planned in advance. This applies doubly to international students, who must take at least three courses in Fall and Spring Semesters to maintain their visa status. It is best for international students to begin their studies in Spring or Summer. In no case should anyone expect to complete the degree requirements in under four semesters, or 1 1/3 years. Admissions are rolling.

Course Requirements

Ten courses are required to complete the degree.

Prerequisite courses:
Students lacking any of the three courses required for admission -- Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, and an undergraduate Calculus I course [or Calculus for Business, or Calculus for the Social Sciences, or two semesters of High School Calculus] -- must take those missing before they can be admitted as Degree Candidates. This can be accomplished at your local College or Community College. In Washington, DC, a popular and economical option is to take these courses at the USDA Graduate School http://www.grad.usda.gov/
However, admission as a Provisional Student without Calculus is possible, except for international students: Mathematical Methods for Economists (440.304), as an 11^th program course, fulfills the Calculus requirement. Our Math Methods course is more comprehensive and appropriate for our needs than is a Calculus I course, but it is also more expensive. See http://advanced.jhu.edu/academic/applied-economics/math-at-applied-economics/
Four core courses:
- 440.601 Microeconomic Theory and Policy
- 440.602 Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
- 440.605 Statistics
- 440.606 Econometrics
One advanced econometrics course [this is a new requirement effective for students first registering in Summer, 2007]:
- 440.648 Microeconometrics or
- 440.614 Macroeconometrics
Five additional elective courses [six electives for students first registered by Spring, 2007, but Microeconometrics or Macroeconometrics is strongly recommended.]

Courses Offered

Core Courses (required)	Quantitative Methods Courses
Microeconomic Theory and Policy Macroeconomic Theory and Policy Statistics Econometrics	Microeconometrics or Macroeconometrics *is required* Macroeconomic Forecasting (elective) Financial Econometrics (elective) Cost-Benefit Analysis (elective)
Courses in Subfields of Economics (electives)
Monetary Economics Topics in Macroeconomics Financial Economics Financial Intermediation & Financial Markets International Finance International Trade Economic Development and Growth Public Economics: Expenditure Programs & Social Regulation Public Economics: Taxation	Game Theory Economics of Industry and Policy Environmental & Resource Economics Economics of Health Care Economics of the Labor Market Economics of Sports Law and Economics Political Economy
Student Research (admission by selection)
Independent Research

Visit Course Descriptions for more detail on course contents.

Students can take all of their elective courses in the MA in Applied Economics Program but, with prior advisor approval, they have the option of taking up to two elective courses in other Johns Hopkins University schools, in other Arts and Sciences programs, or in another program in Advanced Academic Programs. Recommended complementary programs are indicated on the Applied Economics home page.

For information on exact dates, times, locations, fees, and instructors for any term, students should consult the Course Schedule available several months prior to the beginning of each term. Courses are open only to students who meet enrollment requirements and satisfy the prerequisites.