preparation for graduate work in economics

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by bjwd, Jul 2, 2005.

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  1. bjwd

    bjwd New Member

    Hi, my first visit.

    I have a 4-year degree in Sociology from a university in Canada but am wanting to do graduate work in Economics. I am planning on applying to several universities in the USA and England (GMU, Reeding and others) and am in need of the proper prerequisites for admission.

    Specifically, I need Micro and Macro economics and an intro algebra class (I took many undergraduate courses in econ while doing my degree).

    Currently, I am working full time in South Korea and don't want to quit my job and move home to return to school and thus DL is right for me (I hope).

    What I am specifically looking for is a preparation diploma or program in Economics for students in my situation. I am aware of the University of London program but don't really like how rigid it is (exams only held once a year, which happen to be after the application deadline that I would like to meet). It needs to be at least RA and fully transferable.

    Are any of you aware of programs similar to the UofL program? Or perhaps some could offer suggestions as to what I may do to prepare myself?

    Thanks to any and all who reply.

    BJWD
     
  2. tmartca

    tmartca New Member

    Hello,

    Since you said you took some economics courses as part of your BA I assuming your looking for INTERMEDIATE Macro and Micro not Introductory courses, correct?

    I have been looking at a residential MS program at a university about 15 minutes away from my home. I, like you, wanted to do the prerequisites before I get there, if I am accepted.

    Here are a couple of places that I found that offer DL ECON courses:

    New Mexico State University: http://distance.nmsu.edu/

    Their ECON course offerings vary. Also, if you are an out-of-state studnet taking online courses, they allow you to take up to 6 units at in-state prices.
    Caveat: Check to see if it applies to foreign students as well.


    University of Nebraska Kearney:http://www.unk.edu/acad/continuing_ed/

    They do not have macro or micro courses. However, they are offering a course in Quantitative Methods this fall. This was one of the pre-requisites for the program that I am looking at, so you might find it of some interest to you. They are also offering International economics and Managerial economics as undergraduate and graduate courses. They have a lower tuition rate for taking online courses as well.


    Strayer University has an undergraduate degree program in economics. They, however, are much more expensive than the other options.



    Good luck
     
  3. anthonym

    anthonym New Member

    LSU has five econ courses including the two introductory micro/macro courses.

    LINK
     
  4. bjwd

    bjwd New Member

    Hi,
    Thanks for the replies.

    I will look into those schools. And yes, I do need intermediate courses in Micro and Macro economics.

    What about distance programs that are a diploma or certificate in economics that would satisfy my needs. I would rather have some kind of parchment to show for it than just some courses.

    Thanks again to any who reply.
     
  5. mrbean72

    mrbean72 New Member

  6. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    graduate econ prep

    Are you doing an applied degree or a theoretical?

    Applied degrees are often MS degrees and considered terminal. The MA is often a step along the way to a PhD. If the theoretical, you'll need a minimium of a year of calculus (through multivariate - the scientific type, not "business" calculus) and linear algebra - at a minimum. If you can, I strongly recommend that you take undergraduate econometrics, a strong statistics course (including calculus if possible) and mathematical economics.

    Be very careful to get into the right program. Often, the MAs are too theoretical to be of much good in the private sector, if you intend to go to work after graduation.

    Good luck.
     
  7. Tom H.

    Tom H. New Member

    Re: graduate econ prep

    I second the statement that MA degrees in Economics can be too theoretical to have much immediate value in the private sector. You really need to research the program offerings and electives to determine if it fits your long-term goals.
     
  8. bjwd

    bjwd New Member

    Re: graduate econ prep

    Thanks so much for the advice and information. I am considering a MS degree as I don't know if I would like to move into a PhD program.

    In your opinion, would the London external program as suggested above be sufficient preparation for a good percentage of graduate schools in the USA or UK?

    Thanks again for the help!
     
  9. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    London program

    This looks good, but it's not important what we think necessarily.

    Check with the actual schools that you are interested in. Or, call several that you and not interested in but that offer the program you seek as a test balloon. Florida State University, for example, has an applied MS terminal economics degree. Make sure that you don't take a degree that also used in the PhD program. They will either offer an MS and no PhD or have both an MS and an MA, with the MA being the PhD "track".

    It's crucial that the schools accept the London program as equivalent to whatever their basic requirements are. Most require calculus I and a statistics course. You need the knowledge and the London program appears to provide that, but it must satisfy departmental requirements, which can appear to be bureaucratic and nonsensical.
     
  10. bjwd

    bjwd New Member

    A very quick reply, thanks!

    I will contact the schools, and a few others, and determine if this course will be sufficient.

    A final question,

    are you aware of any graduate programs in Economics, distance education or otherwise, that do not require a first degree in economics and the normal prerequisites?

    Thanks, again!
     
  11. JamesK

    JamesK New Member

    There is a Postgraduate Diploma of Economic Principles from the University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies - Centre for Financial and Management Studies). It only requires a first degree at a second class honours or equivalent standard.

    It isn't a 'degree' as such, but it

     
  12. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    I don't know of any. I don't see how it could happen, but I'd expect a student starting an MS in “Applied” Economics with a quantitative background such as math or engineering, but no economics, to have to work hard to understand the micro and macro. If the same hypothetical student had a weak quantitative background, I'd expect that student would be massacred in relatively short order.

    If you have no or a limited quantitative background and don’t want to delay your career meeting prerequisite courses for economics, why not consider “public policy”, “public administration” and/or “political science”. I assume you know where economics students place in terms of work and many jobs once taken exclusively by economists are begin shared by folks in these other fields. If you go political science or public policy as a master degree, read up on the courses in the field of “political economy”.

    The policy programs are often geared towards economics, yet approach the curriculum from the understanding that students need not have graduated with economics degrees. Thus, the courses are more palatable for folks who may be in your situation. I recommend that you evaluate these options in any event, because public policy may be more in line with your interests anyway, but I don’t know.
     
  13. bjwd

    bjwd New Member

    Thanks very much for your help. Your information/advice has been exceedingly helpful. I will also look into those other options.
     
  14. aic712

    aic712 Member

    You mentioned GMU ( I assume you mean George Mason), they do not offer any DL programs that I know of. If they have started to do so, that would be pretty cool because that school has always been aversed to anything "non-traditional" somehow trying to be elitist when the only started off as a branch campus of UVA. Maybe things are changing, if so, good.
     
  15. bjwd

    bjwd New Member

    Ah, no.
    I hope to study at the school itself. No distance programs that I know of. I want to prepare for the program via distance programs.
     

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