Applied Economics

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The University of North Dakotas online Master of Science in Applied Economics prepares you to do real-world economic research for a broad array of government, business, or other institutional settings.

With an MS in Applied Economics, you will possess the quantitative and applied skills you need to succeed as an economist involved in:

* economic development
* strategic planning
* consulting
* applied research

Through online courses, experiential learning, and independent research, you will develop a strong foundation to:

* understand and apply economic theory.
* collect and analyze data.
* communicate technical material effectively to others.

As a graduate of the masters program in Applied Economics from the esteemed UND College of Business & Public Administration, you will have:

* enhanced research skills in at least one specialized area, such as economic development or business economics.
* outstanding economic analysis and decision-making skills.
* advanced understanding of macroeconomic and price theories.
* participated in research projects through coursework or UNDs Bureau of Business & Economic Research (BBER).
* the opportunity to participate in a research internship.

Career Options for Business Economists
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospects for economists will be best for those who have:

* graduate degrees in economics.
* skills in quantitative techniques and their application to economic modeling and forecasting.
* good communication skills.

Demand for economic analysis should grow about as fast as average for all occupations. Job opportunities will grow the fastest for those with economic backgrounds who have specialized job functions in related occupations, such as:

* financial analyst
* market analyst
* public policy consultant
* researcher or research assistant
* purchasing manager

Employment growth should be best in private industry, especially in management, scientific, and technical consulting services. Rising demand for economic analysis in virtually every industry stems from the:

* growing complexity of the global economy.
* effects of competition on businesses.
* increased reliance on quantitative methods for analyzing and forecasting business, sales, and other economic trends.

Courses include:

* Empirical Methods in Economics I
* Mathematics for Economists
* Empirical Methods in Economics II
* Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
* Advanced Price Theory
* Applied Economic Analysis
* Applied Economics Research Seminar

Electives must be determined in consultation with and approved by the MSAE Program Director. Topics will change from semester to semester, but will typically emphasize an important aspect of economic theory or a significant issue in economic policy, such as:

* Public Finance
* International Economics
* Labor Economics
* International Money and Finance
* Applied Public Policy
* Financial Econometrics
* Demography
* Economic Development
* Applied Economic Analysis
* Economic Research Internship

* A four-year bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. * An overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or greater for all undergraduate work, or a GPA of at least 3.00 for the junior and senior years of undergraduate work (based on A = 4.00). * Submission of official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). At the discretion of the MSAE Program Director, test scores may be waived if you hold a graduate degree from an accredited school and a cumulative GPA of 3.25. * All non-native speakers of English are required to submit their scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent. Refer to the admissions information on the UND School of Graduate Studies website for details. * 18 credits of undergraduate coursework in economics, mathematics or statistics. Applicants are expected to be knowledgeable in intermediate macroeconomics, intermediate microeconomics, applied calculus or calculus, and introductory statistics as determined by the MSAE Program Director.**NOTE: You may be eligible for admission with "Qualified" status by completing at least 9 credits of prerequisite undergraduate coursework, provided you meet all other stated admission criteria. In such cases, you must satisfy all conditions stated in your admission letter in order to advance to "Approved" status. Failure to address all conditions stated in the admission letter will be viewed as unsatisfactory progress and could result in dismissal from the UND School of Graduate Studies. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 76 Technological Requirements Although specific technical requirements may vary by online course or program, the following general technical requirements are required for all online courses. Active E-mail Account Current Operating System: Windows or Macintosh Internet Connection: DSL/Cable (recommended) Note: A wireless or satellite connection should not be used for taking exams/quizzes and is not recommended for "Live" Web classes. Current Internet Browser: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari Word Processing Software: Microsoft Word (recommended) Additional Free Software Downloads (as necessary)

Financial Aid
Semester-based, online courses are eligible for most federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.

Semester-based, online courses are NOT eligible for any tuition waiver programs at the University of North Dakota (i.e. Cultural Diversity, International, Employee, Graduate), except as required by statute.

In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be:

* fully admitted in a degree or approved graduate certificate program.
* registered for at least 6 credits in each term you apply the aid towards.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application UND requires to determine eligibility for all federal and state financial aid. Refer to the UND Student Financial Aid Office for more information.

Employer-Provided Tuition Assistance
UND accepts company payments for employer-provided tuition assistance programs. Contact your human resource department to find out how you can qualify for tuition assistance.

Military & Veterans Tuition Assistance
UND is approved to offer college credit courses through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program.

The University of North Dakota accepts military and veterans tuition assistance. Contact your military education or veterans administration office to find out how you can qualify for tuition assistance.

NOTE: Service members and veterans taking 100% of their courses online and who are enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill may also be eligible for a monthly housing allowance. Refer to the US Department of Veterans Affairs for details.

Scholarship
If you are completing a UND degree program through online courses, you may apply for the Ben & Ruth Gustafson Continuing Education Endowment at UND provided by UND Online & Distance Education for non-traditional, distance students.

Accreditation

AACSB International Accreditation
The Master of Science in Applied Economics program from the UND College of Business & Public Administration is accredited by AACSB International The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The mission of the AACSB International is to advance the quality management education worldwide through accreditation and thought leadership.

Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide have earned the AACSB International accreditationthe highest standard in management education. The University of North Dakota was the first school in North Dakota to be AACSB accredited.

Regional Accreditation
The University of North Dakota as a whole is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. UND has been accredited since 1913, when the Association was first organized.

Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation assures the quality of higher education institutions and programs. In the United States, accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental, peer-review process that determines if established quality standards are being met.

* Accreditation is a major way for students, families, employers, government officials, and the media to know that an institution or program provides a quality education.
* Accreditation helps students choose quality college programs that qualify for federal financial aid.
* Accreditation enables employers to recruit graduates they know are well-prepared. Many employers will only provide tuition assistance to employees for accredited programs.
* Accreditation is used by registration, licensure, and certification boards to screen applicants.
* Accreditation gives colleges and universities a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve the quality of their programs.