University Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply system and meet all the university admission requirements .
Students can be admitted to either classified or conditionally classified standing.
Admission to Graduate Standing - Classified
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).
Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified
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.
Advancement to Candidacy
The university requirements for advancement to candidacy for the master’s degree are outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures section. Students should seek advancement to candidacy as soon as possible for their given program and on the advice of their graduate program coordinator. Graduate students may submit a Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy form to the Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluations (GAPE) office after satisfying the following: achieved classified status; completed a minimum of nine letter-graded units with all grades “C” or higher; fulfilled the Campus Graduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (CGGWAR) requirement; achieved a minimum cumulative and program 3.0 GPA, and, graduate within the seven-year time limit for degree completion. Graduate students must submit their petition no later than one semester prior to graduating. Courses that satisfy the CGGWAR are listed in the course requirements for the program.
Additional Department Requirements
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:
- 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.
- Must obtain approval of a formal master’s degree program from the departmental graduate advisor and from the University Graduate Committee.
- Must have successfully completed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) . The University requires that all graduate students complete the CGGWAR as a condition for advancement to candidacy.
Program of Study 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 . Students must comply with all other graduate requirements contained in this catalog.
Course Requirements
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.
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.
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.
Culminating Experience
Plan B (Comprehensive Examination)
Most students complete a final written comprehensive examination. The 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 not passing the exam may take it a total of three times. Policies concerning Probation and Disqualification for failure to complete the exam are available online and in the Economics Office.
Plan B (Project)
A student may complete an academically rigorous research project by enrolling in ECON 298P - Master’s Project . In ECON 298P the student will complete a substantial paper under faculty supervision to complete the project component of Plan B. The student is responsible for securing the commitment of a full-time tenured or tenure-track economics faculty member who agrees to serve as project supervisor.
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