BA in Economics & Mathematics to MS in Quantitative Economics
Bachelor’s-to-master’s programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. Mathematics and statistics are key tools in many aspects of economics. The BA in Economics & Mathematics to MS in Quantitative Economics program allows academically outstanding undergraduate students to begin work toward the MS in Quantitative Economics at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences while pursuing their undergraduate degrees.
Students in this bachelor’s-to-master’s program must complete all bachelor’s degree requirements before enrolling as master’s students, although they may take graduate courses while enrolled as undergraduates. Students must register for and earn a minimum of 24 units while enrolled as master’s students. Students may apply up to 8 units (500 level or above) from the undergraduate degree to the master’s degree, subject to any conditions described below. For this bachelor’s-to-master’s program, the bachelor’s degree is conferred by the College of Arts & Sciences and the master’s degree is conferred by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Students should consult with the Financial Assistance office to learn how entrance into this bachelor’s-to-master’s program might impact their financial aid.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of fundamental economic principles and be able to apply these ideas to analyze public policies, business practices, and real-world events.
- Locate the necessary data to analyze and evaluate world events, and analyze data using appropriate econometric methods.
- Have the ability to apply mathematical methods, through modeling and large-scale data analysis.
- Acquire in-depth knowledge in several areas of economics, as well as a broad perspective on the subject.
- Be able to conduct scholarly and/or nonacademic work in a professional and ethical manner.
- In addition, goals which reside more strongly with the mathematics department contributions to the major include demonstration of a mastery of ideas and techniques of calculus and linear algebra and an ability to identify and apply these ideas to economics and other fields, plus a demonstration of focused expertise in one or more areas of mathematics.
Requirements
Students must complete all requirements for the BA in Economics & Mathematics and all requirements for the MS in Quantitative Economics.
In special cases, exceptionally strong students planning to apply to this bachelor’s-to-master’s program may substitute CAS EC 501 and CAS EC 502 for CAS EC 221 and CAS EC 222, respectively, in the BA requirements. (In such cases, these courses will count toward the two undergraduate courses, which may be double-counted toward MS courses.) Approval by the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the Economics Department is required for this substitution.
The MS core courses CAS EC 507 and CAS EC 508 may not be counted as undergraduate electives.
Admission
More information about application requirements and deadlines for bachelor’s-to-master’s programs can be found at the graduate school’s Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs website.
Students interested in applying to the BA in Economics & Mathematics to MS in Quantitative Economics program are advised to first contact the Undergraduate Academic Administrator in the Economics Department. Applications for this bachelor’s-to-master’s program are evaluated by the department’s Master’s Admissions Committee. Applicants must already be majors in Economics & Mathematics and making good progress on satisfying the requirements listed above.
Students may apply for admission to the program (at the earliest) during their fourth term of academic year enrollment at BU, with the program starting at the beginning of their fifth term. At the latest, students may apply during their sixth term of academic year enrollment at BU, with the program starting at the beginning of their seventh term.
