This big data emphasis track provides rigorous training in economics and data analytics and is designed for students seeking jobs in either the private or public sectors. This is a great way to progress your future career in many different fields.
This track provides rigorous training in economics and is designed for students seeking jobs in either the private or public sectors. The first year coursework of this program coincides with the first year coursework of the Ph.D. program for students who might wish to purse a Ph.D. degree.
This program offers comprehensive training in applied econometrics, machine learning methods, and Python programming for data analytics, equipping students with the skills needed for careers in both the private and public sectors.
This curriculum provides a solid base of core theoretical and empirical skills and the opportunity to pursue advanced careers in Economics. Many of our graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in higher education, government, and the private sector.
The Department of Economics is now offering a Master's Degree in Managerial Economics with a Big Data Emphasis. This program is designed to be completed in 1-2 years, depending on full-time/part-time status, prerequisites, and scheduling. This track provides rigorous training in economics and data analytics and is designed for students seeking jobs in either the private or public sectors.
Nope! Applicants usually have a bachelor's degree in economics but this is not a prerequisite. Some course work in economics including both intermediate micro (ECON 3113) and macroeconomics (ECON 3133) is required prior to starting the program. All applicants need a good working knowledge of mathematics and basic statistics. At least two semesters of calculus and one semester of basic statistics (ECON 2843) or their equivalents are required. For Big Data courses, some knowledge of Excel, Access, SQL, or programming is helpful but not required.
The first year coursework consists of core courses in Economics, supplemented with Economics graduate electives and approved Data Analytics courses. Here is a sample schedule:
*with approval of graduate director
**with approval of graduate director and departmental permission
The Department of Economics evaluates each applicant individually in order to select for admission those applicants who have the aptitude, scholarship, and analytical skill necessary to successfully complete an advanced degree. In order to form an opinion about an applicant's aptitude, scholarship, and analytical ability we require the following information.
The Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma has specific admission requirements of:
The Department of Economics does not have specific admission requirements (e.g. minimum GRE scores). Rather, an admissions committee recommends admission on the basis of GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and prior academic record. All these sources of information are helpful in the evaluation of an applicant's ability to pursue an advance degree. Consequently, applications will not be considered unless all information is available.
International students are encouraged to apply for fall admission by January 1, and all other students are encouraged to apply for fall admission by March 1st.
Please note that there is a 2-semester sequence of core classes that start in Fall, but it may be possible to join the program in the Spring semester.
Students will enroll in ECON 5940 (Research in Economic Problems) for two hours in their final semester, for which they may write and present a research paper. A faculty supervisor and committee for the paper must be arranged before a student can enroll.
Yes! All M.A. students in the Managerial Economics + Big Data Emphasis will be advised by the Graduate Program Director (GPD). In no circumstances will a student will be allowed to alter their course curriculum without the permission of the GPD and all elective course selections are to be approved by the GPD.
This track provides rigorous training in economics and is designed for students seeking jobs in either the private or public sectors. The first year coursework of this program coincides with the first year coursework of the Ph.D. program, so this track is also appropriate for students who might wish to purse a Ph.D. degree. Please note that students can only begin the Applied Track during the fall semester.
Nope! Applicants usually have a bachelor's degree in economics but this is not a prerequisite. Some course work in economics including both intermediate micro (ECON 3113) and macroeconomics (ECON 3133) is required prior to starting the program. All applicants need a good working knowledge of mathematics and basic statistics. At least two semesters of calculus and one semester of basic statistics (ECON 2843) or their equivalents are required. A previous course in linear algebra is highly recommended.
This track requires:
The purpose of the core examination is to assure that the student has a firm foundation in economic analysis prior to taking advanced courses. The Economics Department Core Examination is given in August prior to the beginning of the student's second year. The exam has three portions. The first portion consists of microeconomic theory and tests over the material taught in ECON 5123 and ECON 6213. The second portion consists of macroeconomic theory and tests over material taught in ECON 5163 and ECON 6313. The third portion consists of statistics and econometrics questions and test over the material taught in ECON 5153 and ECON 5213. Grades are M.A. Pass and Fail. All parts must be passed at the M.A. Pass level.
This Comprehensive Examination tests over the course material that the student has covered in their formal coursework, with emphasis given to those courses taken in the second year of their academic study. The Comprehensive Examination must be taken no later than the first semester after the student has completed her coursework. If the student fails, they may repeat the examination one more time during the following semester or later.
For the Core Examination:
In the event that the student fails to pass any or all portions at the M.A. Pass level, a retake opportunity is provided. The retake exam is given in the next semester, during the week prior to the beginning of classes for the spring semester. The student need only retake those parts in which a grade less than M.A. Pass was received. Only one retake is provided. If the student fails to obtain a M.A. Pass on the second effort, that student is required to leave the M.A. program.
For the Comprehensive Examination:
If the student fails, they may repeat the examination one more time during the following semester or later.
The first year coursework parallels the Ph.D. program. It includes the following:
For the second year, you are required to take at least four courses (12 credit hours) approved by the Graduate Program Director, but these can include electives out side of economics. In addition, all students must enroll in Econ 5940 (Research in Economic Problems) for two credit hours, for which they will write a research paper. A faculty supervisor for the paper must be arranged before a student can enroll in Econ 5940.
After the first year, all students will be required to take the Core Examinations.
The Department of Economics evaluates each applicant individually in order to select for admission those applicants who have the aptitude, scholarship, and analytical skill necessary to successfully complete an advanced degree. In order to form an opinion about an applicant's aptitude, scholarship, and analytical ability we require the following information.
The Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma has specific admission requirements of:
The Department of Economics does not have specific admission requirements (e.g. minimum GRE scores). Rather, an admissions committee recommends admission on the basis of GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and prior academic record. All these sources of information are helpful in the evaluation of an applicant's ability to pursue an advance degree. Consequently, applications will not be considered unless all information is available.
The deadline to apply is January 31st.
Please note that students can only begin during the fall semester.
Students will enroll in ECON 5940 (Research in Economic Problems) for two hours in their final semester, for which they may write and present a research paper. A faculty supervisor and committee for the paper must be arranged before a student can enroll.
Yes! All M.A. students in the Applied Economics will be advised by the Graduate Program Director (GPD). In no circumstances will a student will be allowed to alter their course curriculum without the permission of the GPD and all elective course selections are to be approved by the GPD. Among other responsibilities, the GPD is responsible for the administration of the Core and Comprehensive Examination.
The Department of Economics is excited to announce a fully online MA in Econometrics program in Spring 2025. This program is designed to be completed in 15-21 months, depending on whether students are enrolled full-time or part-time, as well as their prerequisites and course scheduling. The program offers comprehensive training in applied econometrics, machine learning methods, and Python programming for data analytics, equipping students with the skills needed for careers in both the private and public sectors.
You can find all the specific application details through this link.
Each credit hour costs approximately $818, and the program requires 30 credit hours to complete, unless you are able to transfer credits from other institutions.
All lectures are delivered as recorded videos on the Canvas platform. In addition, each faculty member holds a weekly live session via Zoom, lasting approximately 1.5 hours.
The minimum eligibility criterion for admission is an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. If a student does not meet this requirement, they must submit a personal statement explaining their undergraduate performance. Applicants must also be located within the United States.
Examination methods vary, as each faculty member determines how to assess students in their respective courses. Therefore, there is no standardized exam requirement across the program.
Applications are accepted for both the fall and spring semesters. You can apply at any time, depending on which semester you plan to join.
Transferability depends on the evaluation of your previous courses to determine if they are suitable substitutes for any of the current program's courses.
The deadline to apply is January 31st.
Please note that students can only begin during the fall semester.
The faculty of the Department of Economics at the University of Oklahoma has a strong commitment to excellence in graduate education. The curriculum provides a solid base of core theoretical and empirical skills and the opportunity to pursue advanced careers in Economics. More than 150 Ph.D.s in Economics have been earned since the early 1950s. Many of our graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in higher education, government, and the private sector.
There are three structural elements of our Ph.D. program. The first is a rigorous and well-integrated core curriculum of economic theory and statistical analysis. The second element consists of concentrated study in selected fields, including development economics, industrial organization, international economics, and public economics. The third element consists of training designed to prepare students to undertake independent research. This process culminates in a significant work of original research in the form of a dissertation. Having completed all three elements, our graduates are qualified to pursue academic, professional, or governmental careers.
Nope! Applicants usually have a bachelor's degree in economics but this is not a prerequisite. Some course work in economics including both intermediate micro (ECON 3113) and macroeconomics (ECON 3133) is required prior to starting the program. All applicants need a good working knowledge of mathematics and basic statistics. At least two semesters of calculus and one semester of basic statistics (ECON 2843) or their equivalents are required. A previous course in linear algebra is highly recommended.
The Ph.D. degree requires at least 90 hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree. A minimum of 54 these hours must consist of formal coursework, with the remainder comprised of dissertation research. Credit may be transferred in from prior graduate coursework. The Graduate Program Director, in consultation with the Graduate College, will determine which hours of previous coursework will be accepted for transfer.
The purpose of the core examination is to assure that the student has a firm foundation in economic analysis prior to taking advanced courses. The Economics Department Core Examination is given in August prior to the beginning of the student's second year. The exam has three portions. The first portion consists of microeconomic theory and tests over the material taught in ECON 5123 and ECON 6213. The second portion consists of macroeconomic theory and tests over material taught in ECON 5163 and ECON 6313. The third portion consists of statistics and econometrics questions and test over the material taught in ECON 5153 and ECON 5213. Grades are M.A. Pass and Fail. All parts must be passed at the M.A. Pass level.
This Comprehensive Examination tests over the course material that the student has covered in their formal coursework, with emphasis given to those courses taken in the second year of their academic study. The Comprehensive Examination must be taken no later than the first semester after the student has completed her coursework. If the student fails, they may repeat the examination one more time during the following semester or later.
For the Core Examination:
In the event that the student fails to pass any or all portions at the M.A. Pass level, a retake opportunity is provided. The retake exam is given in the next semester, during the week prior to the beginning of classes for the spring semester. The student need only retake those parts in which a grade less than M.A. Pass was received. Only one retake is provided. If the student fails to obtain a M.A. Pass on the second effort, that student is required to leave the M.A. program.
For the Comprehensive Examination:
If the student fails, they may repeat the examination one more time during the following semester or later.
Fields of specialization are designed to develop an in-depth knowledge of the theory and current literature in various areas of economics. The two course sequences prepare students to become active researchers in the field and to identify potential topics for dissertation research. Our department offers five fields of specialization: Labor Economics, Growth and Development Economics, Industrial Organization, International/Macro Economics, and Public Economics. For specifics on which courses can be taken for each field, please see the current Ph.D. Handbook.
We offer depth in our four supported fields: each field has several faculty members who are actively engaged in research and are able to supervise dissertations. This is supplemented with strong support in applied econometrics, including time-series and panel data methods. Students who wish to concentrate in fields not supported by our department should consider applying to programs that better match their research interests.
We offer a lot, but the biggest is the graduate assistance!
Each year the Economics Department typically extends financial support in the form of research and teaching assistantships for 6-10 incoming Ph.D. students. For full consideration of financial aid, applicants are encouraged to apply to the Ph.D. program by late January.
Students receiving a regular financial aid package will receive an assistantship for 4-5 years of graduate work, conditional on satisfactory progress in the Ph.D. program and satisfactory performance of assigned duties. Additional support for the fifth year is typically available.
For each academic year, nine-month full time assistantships have a competitive stipend and include individual health insurance, tuition waivers for up to the 90 credit hours of courses required for degree completion. Conditionally admitted students may request waivers for courses needed prior to beginning the graduate coursework. Students are responsible for associated fees. Family health insurance plans are also offered through the University. For information on current resident and non-resident and fees, please see the University of Oklahoma Bursar’s website.
A student on a full time assistantship is expected to perform approximately 20 hours of work per week and is required to attend the department’s weekly seminars. Duties include serving as research assistants and assisting in the Department’s teaching mission. Accordingly, students are expected to become certified to teach courses at the University of Oklahoma by the English Assessment Program by the end of their first year of study. English Language classes are available at no cost to qualifying graduate students.
Absolutely! We have a generous scholarship funding provided by the Chong Liew Endowed Scholarship Fund. The Chong Liew Outstanding Graduate Student Award is available for first year Ph.D. students. These are meant to support summer study and allow students to devote more time to their studies in Norman. Each year we typically select 2-4 students based on first year coursework performance. The awards range from $750 to $1000.
Chong Liew Summer Research Awards support dissertation research, especially in the summer before students plan to go on the job market. Students who have passed all of their required exams are eligible to submit a research proposal outlining their summer research plan. Proposals are selected based on merit and potential. Each year this award is typically given to 1-2 students. The awards range from $2000 to $2500 each.
We also offer travel scholarships through the Chong Liew Graduate Student Travel Scholarships for graduate student conference participation. Students are required to apply for travel support from the Graduate College and Graduate Student Senate prior to requesting Chong Liew Travel support.
Finally, graduate students who become certified to instruct at the University of Oklahoma may request to teach courses during summer terms or between semesters (Intersession). Students are chosen to teach these based on teaching experience, teaching performance, and undergraduate demand for courses. This provides great experience, and a little extra money too!
The first year coursework parallels the Ph.D. program. It includes the following:
For the second year, you are required to take at least four courses (12 credit hours) approved by the Graduate Program Director, but these can include electives out side of economics. In addition, all students must enroll in Econ 5940 (Research in Economic Problems) for two credit hours, for which they will write a research paper. A faculty supervisor for the paper must be arranged before a student can enroll in Econ 5940.
After the first year, all students will be required to take the Core Examinations.
If a student is admitted to our Ph.D. program, they are automatically considered for an assistantship. There is no separate application or further information needed. If you are to be offered an assistantship, you will receive an email from the Graduate Director with a letter attached. These letters are typically emailed in late March/early April every year.
The Department of Economics evaluates each applicant individually in order to select for admission those applicants who have the aptitude, scholarship, and analytical skill necessary to successfully complete an advanced degree. In order to form an opinion about an applicant's aptitude, scholarship, and analytical ability we require the following information.
The Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma has specific admission requirements of:
The Department of Economics does not have specific admission requirements (e.g. minimum GRE scores). Rather, an admissions committee recommends admission on the basis of GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and prior academic record. All these sources of information are helpful in the evaluation of an applicant's ability to pursue an advance degree. Consequently, applications will not be considered unless all information is available.
International students are encouraged to apply for fall admission by January 1st, and all other students are encouraged to apply for fall admission by March 1st.
Please note that students can only begin the Applied Track during the fall semester.
Students will enroll in ECON 5940 (Research in Economic Problems) for two hours in their final semester, for which they may write and present a research paper. A faculty supervisor and committee for the paper must be arranged before a student can enroll.
Yes! All Ph.D. students are advised by the Graduate Program Director, Dr. Firat Demir, until they form a Doctoral Committee. The Director will advise students regarding their field and elective course selections. In addition, the Director has final authority (within the rules of the Graduate College) over the acceptance of transfer credit from a Master’s Degree Program in Economics or other graduate program.
In addition to stipends, we also offer travel assistance (link) and emergency assistance (link) to students who need it. To be eligible candidates must meet the following criteria. a. Must be an enrolled student in the Department in the Ph.D. program; b. Must be either presenting original research or traveling to the annual ASSA conference to interview for the job market; c. Must have applied for either the GSS or the CAS travel support funds; d. Must not be the Donor or an immediate family member of the Donor.
