Requirements for Admission with Classified Standing

An applicant first must meet the requirements for admission to the university. In addition, the applicant should possess a minimum grade point average of “B”. Bachelor degrees in fields other than economics are acceptable for admission to the department. For admission to classified standing, an applicant’s preparation in calculus (MATH 71  or MATH 30 ), statistics (STAT 95 ), and intermediate microeconomics (ECON 101 ), intermediate macroeconomics (ECON 102 ) and intermediate econometrics (ECON 103A ), must be satisfactory (grades of “B” or better).

Requirements for Admission with Conditionally Classified Standing

A student who does not meet all requirements for admission to classified standing may be admitted into the program on a conditionally classified basis if he or she has demonstrated an interest in and an ability to master economic analysis, and has completed introductory statistics (STAT 95) and calculus (MATH 71 or MATH 30). Such admission will require students to take specific courses, ECON 101, ECON 102, and ECON 103A, with grades of “B” or better, before taking graduate (200-level) courses.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the MA - Economics

To be advanced to candidacy for the Master of Arts degree, a student must first meet the university requirements for the degree as stated in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog . Also, a candidate:

1. Must have at least a 3.0 (“B”) average in nine semester hours of approved San José State University courses in economics at the 100- or 200-level.
2. Must obtain approval of a formal master’s degree program from the departmental graduate advisor and from the University Graduate Committee.
3. Must have successfully completed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) . The University requires that all graduate students complete the GWAR as a condition for advancement to candidacy. For graduate courses that meet the GWAR, please refer to the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website at www.sjsu.edu/gape.

Graduate Theory Grade Requirement

All master’s degree students must complete a microeconomic theory course (ECON 201 ), a macroeconomic theory or monetary theory course (ECON 202  or ECON 235 ), and ECON 205  with a grade of “B” or better. All 100 - level courses must be completed with a “B” or better. Policies concerning Probation and Disqualification are available online and in the Economics Office.

Undergraduate Course Grade Requirement

Master’s degree students may count a limited number of 100-level undergraduate courses as approved electives; however, these courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better and must be approved in advance by a department graduate advisor. Students earning less than a “B” in any of these classes are allowed one attempt to retake and achieve the minimum grade. Policies concerning Probation and Disqualification are available online and in the Department of Economics  Office.

Requirements for Graduation

University Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements  section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures .

In consultation with the department graduate coordinator, the candidate will develop and pursue a program of study. The candidate must successfully complete all requirements of the selected plan including the course work specified in the Master’s Degree Approval Program. At an appropriate time, and with the assistance of the graduate advisor, the student chooses a proposed Master’s degree program and Plan A or Plan B culminating experience as outlined below.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .

This requirement is satisfied by passing ECON 203A . 

Culminating Experience

Plan A (Thesis)

The thesis must meet university requirements as stipulated in this catalog and in the SJSU Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Guidelines. It will be written under the guidance of the candidate’s thesis committee chair with the assistance of the thesis committee. It is the candidate’s responsibility to find an Economics Faculty member to Chair the thesis committee, and work with the Chair to determine the other members of the committee and the thesis topic.

Plan B (Comprehensive Examination)

Most students complete a final written examination, not a thesis. The comprehensive exam covers three subjects: microeconomic theory, macroeconomic/monetary and econometrics. Students register once, for one unit of ECON 298E  in the semester they plan to take the examination. Students can take the exam a total of three times. Policies concerning Probation and Disqualification for failure to complete the exam are available online and in the Economics Office.