About the Program

The Master of Arts in Economics at Texas Tech University provides a strong foundation in the theory and tools of economics through two available tracks: non-thesis plan and thesis plan. The goal of the program is to equip students with a deep understanding of markets, economic policies, human behavior, and organizational dynamics, and to provide them with the tools needed to conduct research in the field of economics. Both tracks prepare graduates for successful careers in the private and public sectors as economists.

The program requires 36 credit hours of coursework, including Macroeconomic Theory and Policy, Microeconomic Analysis, and elective courses, covering topics such as Time Series Econometrics, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Labor Markets Theory and Policy, and Advanced International Finance, among others. To earn the degree, students can choose either the non-thesis plan which involves passing a comprehensive written exam, or the thesis plan that involves writing and successfully defending a 6-credit-hour thesis. Usually, students do not decide on a plan until later in the program, based on their personal preferences and career aspirations.

Whether you choose the non-thesis or thesis plan, the Master of Arts in Economics program at Texas Tech University provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the constantly evolving world of economics.

Degree FActs

1. Students will not receive credit towards the M.A. degree for taking ECO 5310. This applies to both the non-thesis and the thesis plans.
2. Normally, Approved General Electives will also be courses in economics. This applies to both the non-thesis and the thesis plan.
3. M.A. students in the thesis plan cannot register for ECO 6000 thesis credit hours before they select a supervisor and form a thesis committee. A student can only register for ECO 6000 after her/his thesis advisor sends a letter to the Director of Graduate Studies indicating willingness to supervise the student's thesis.
4. M.A. students in the non-thesis plan must pass a comprehensive written examination for the M.A. degree. If a student receives an unsatisfactory result on the first attempt, the Graduate School permits the student to take the exam for a second (and final) time. In this case, the department requires the student to re-take the exam during the semester that directly follows the semester in which the student took it for the first time.
5. The M.A. comprehensive exam consists of questions from core courses as well as elective courses. For graduate students who are in the dual MA/Ph.D. programs, the Ph.D. core courses cannot count as electives for the purpose of formulating the MA comprehensive exam, i.e., ECO 5313, 5314, 5315, 5318, 5381, and 5382 cannot be declared as electives. These courses may be declared as electives for students in the M.A. program ONLY.

Requirements 

There are two types of requirements - Graduate School requirements, and Department of Economics requirements.

Graduate School Requirements

• Domestic Applicants, please click here to see requirements
• International Applicants, please click here to see requirements

Department of Economics Requirements

• CV
• Transcript
• GRE score (not required but highly recommended)
• Statement of Purpose
• Minimum of one letter of recommendation

Contacting Us

Dr. Xiaohan Ma
Director of Graduate Studies

Email: xiaohan.ma@ttu.edu

Phone: 806.834.8373