Master of Arts in Financial Economics

The MA in Financial Economics is a STEM designated degree program that is designed to prepare its students either for a career in the financial industry or for further graduate study in economics or finance. 

The program requires at least 30 hours of course work.  There are certain general and coursework prerequisites that should be met for admission.  Full time students with a strong background usually meet all these prerequisites and therefore can complete the program in one calendar year (fall, spring, and summer). Working professionals enrolled part-time can complete the course requirements in two years by taking classes in the evenings.

The required courses of the program are (see specific course descriptions):

• ECON 5020 – Econometrics
• MBA 5510 – Investment Analysis and Management
• MBA 5520 – Financial Modeling
• ECON 6070 – Graduate Econometrics
• ECON 6100 – Microeconomic Theory
• ECON 6110 – Macroeconomic Theory
• ECON 6720 – Central Banking and the Financial System
• ECON 6890 – Internship

OR

• Econ 6900 – Directed Research

Admission Criteria:

Admission is determined on the basis of GPA, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. At least two of the recommendation letters need to come from your academic supervisor, professor or mentor.

The application deadline for fall semester is July 1. We also provide admission for spring semesters, with the application deadline being November 1.    

Financial Aid:

Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis.  Assistantships include a substantial scholarship and a significant stipend. Undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, the student’s statement, and other materials are all used in the aid decision.  The department reserves the right to adjust the level of funding conditional on the availability of funds or the student’s academic progress. For any general information about graduate assistantships such as description of Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, or Graduate Assistant policies, visit the University Graduate Assistants Guide.

Application Instructions

Apply to our program, follow the instructions of the online application system step by step. The system requires the following materials for applying to our program:

• Transcripts from each college or university you have attended
• TOEFL or IELTS (international applicants only)
• A statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation.

Graduate Assistantships are available, and you are automatically included in the review for assistantships once you are admitted to the program.  No separate application is necessary for a graduate assistantship.

Graduate Program Director: Dr. Isabel Zeng

Isabel Zeng, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
(419) 372-8397
zzeng@bgsu.edu
316 Maurer Center

Visit the BGSU on-line graduate application.