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College of Social Sciences & Humanities
Master's
The Master of Science in Economics is a STEM-designated program designed to provide a solid foundation in economic theory, quantitative methods, and policy. Prepare for multi-industry career opportunities or as a stepping stone to a PhD program.
Program curriculum
Program Format
On ground
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
1 - 2 Year(s)
Entry Term(s)
Fall, Spring
Meets F1 visa requirements
Yes
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- Program Objectives
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- Market Outlook
- Cost of Attendance
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Program Overview
Tailor your degree for a flexible career
Northeastern University’s Master of Economics program allows you to tailor your degree to your professional goals and economic interests with eight required classes-four core classes and four electives.
The core courses provide a solid foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods, while electives provide you with the opportunity to apply economic analysis to particular policy areas. A variety of tracks and specializations are available, which makes it simple to tailor the degree.
Paid work as a practicing economist for three to six months may be included in the degree program as part of an optional co-op experience for qualified students.
Northeastern University’s Master of Economics program allows you to tailor your degree to your professional goals and economic interests with eight required classes-four core classes and four electives.
The core courses provide a solid foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods, while electives provide you with the opportunity to apply economic analysis to particular policy areas. A variety of tracks and specializations are available, which makes it simple to tailor the degree.
Paid work as a practicing economist for three to six months may be included in the degree program as part of an optional co-op experience for qualified students.
- Participate in an optional co-op experience: Work and learn at an organization for six months.
- Recent students had co-ops at Eversource, Boston Planning and Development, Guy Carpenter, Tufts University, and more.
- Complete your degree in as little as eight classes: Full-time and part-time options make it easy to fit in the four required core classes and four elective classes needed for graduation.
- Tailor your degree to your career goals: We offer four possible tracks to use your electives toward:
- Policy-focused specializationsthat prepare you for approaching certain sectors of economics. Examples of specializations include financial economics, health economics, international economics, and more.
- Academic-focused specialization that prepares students for PhD programs.
- Quantitative-focused specializationthat hones in on Big Data, programming skills, and more.
- An official data science concentrationin partnership with Khoury College of Computer Sciences where students can fine-tune their computational modeling skills.
- STEM-designated degree: International students in this program can apply for a 24-month OPT STEM Extension to their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) period. This allows graduates to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months after graduation.
Graduates of the program have gone on to work in a range of fields and industries. Some of their titles and companies include:
- Assistant Vice President, Consumer Banking Operations at Bank of America
- Investment Management Consultant at FactSet
- Economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Programmer Analyst at the Mentor Network
- Legislative Aide to Senator Mike Barrett (MA)
- Research Executive at Millward Brown
- Project Manager Assistant at Ounin Consulting
- Global Assistant Allocation Analyst, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
- Senior Analyst, Web Strategy and Analytics
- Program Assistant, Zhongrong International Trust
Other graduates have gone on to pursue PhDs at:
- Northeastern University
- Cornell University
- Boston University School of Law
- University of Wisconsin Madison
- Tulane University
- University of Georgia
- And more
The Department of Economics offers a graduate cooperative education option in its Master of Science in Economics program. This exciting program option allows qualified students to enhance their practice-oriented graduate education in economics with actual work experience. Please note that this is paid work and not an unpaid internship. Students who meet the following academic criteria are eligible to apply for participation in this program:
- Completion of the four core courses
- Completion of two semesters of coursework
- A minimum grade point average of 3.500
Following a rigorous internal interview process, successful applicants are recommended to, and interview with, prospective employers. The final decision on hiring is made by the employer. The co-op experience typically begins after the spring semester has ended, or when the position is secured, if later, and continues until the end of the fall semester. The student then returns and finishes the remaining academic requirements during the following semester(s).
Admissions
Apply to the program
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
Fall Term
Final deadline for international applicants: | June 15 |
Final deadline for domestic applicants: | August 15 |
Spring Term
Final deadline for international applicants: | October 1 |
Final deadline for domestic applicants: | December 15 |
Application
Application fee
Personal statement
Resume
Three letters of recommendation
Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the
by country.)
English proficiency for international applicants
Program Objectives
Prepare for success
Part business and part social science, our Master of Science in Economics prepares you for a range of careers in research and development, government, finance, healthcare, and more.
Build a solid foundation in economics
Our program provides a solid foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods, as well as an opportunity for students to apply the tools of economic analysis to particular policy areas.
Excel through application and practice
Develop your presentation skills and ability to produce project-oriented writing assignments to communicate key economic theories and methods.
Watch and learn
Market Outlook
Industry at a glance
Here's a look at current market trends and the career landscape.
Occupations
Showing job titles from highest to lowest annual growth for ZIP code .
Common occupations for program graduates (based on O*NET occupation codes) Projected annual increase in regional job openings
The median (50th percentile) annual earnings for the career in the region (Earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.)
Companies with the most job openings for this career in the region
No companies available.
Required skills for the occupation based on O*NET data
No skills available.
Sample job titles for this occupation based on O*NET data
No job titles available.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition and financial aid
$49,120
Tuition
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2024-2025 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.
Total Cost of Attendance: This figure reflects the cost-per-credit pricing for the current academic year. The total cost of attendance is dependent on the pace at which students complete the program. Please visit the Student Financial Services site for a more detailed breakdown of pricing per credit and other program fees.
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