College of Social Sciences & Humanities

Economics

Master's: Boston, MA
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Master's : Seattle, WA
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The Master of Science in Economics is a STEM-designated program designed to provide a solid foundation in economic theory, quantitative methods, and policy. It prepares students for multi-industry career opportunities or can be used as a stepping stone to a PhD program.

Boston, MA
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
1-2 years
Duration of Program
Fall, Spring
Entry Terms
Yes *
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
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Overview

Northeastern’s Master of Science in Economics is a STEM-designated program, focused on both applied economic analysis and policy. The program is designed for students looking to enter the workforce in a range of fields, or as a stepping stone to a PhD program.

With eight required classes (four core classes and four electives), the Master of Economics program allows you to tailor your degree to your professional goals and economic interests. Core courses provide a solid foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods, while electives provide students with the opportunity to apply economic analysis to particular policy areas. A variety of tracks and specializations are available and make it simple to tailor the degree. Part business and part social science, our Master of Science in Economics prepares graduates for a range of careers in research and development, government, finance, healthcare, and more.

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.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Economics from the College of Social Science and Humanities.

 

More Details

Unique Features

  • 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 specializations that prepare you for approaching certain sectors of economics. Example specializations include financial economics, health economics, international economics and more.
    • Academic-focused specialization that prepares students for PhD programs.
    • Quantitative-focused specialization that hones in on Big Data, programming skills, and more.
    • An official data science concentration in partnership with Khoury College of Computer Sciences where students can fine-tune their computational modeling skills.
  • STEM-designated degree:This means 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.

Career Outlook

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

Testimonials

"I wanted to enter into a program that focuses on applying my knowledge in real-world settings. While researching master’s programs, I found that a regular master’s was often seen to be the consolation prize for a doctorate in economics. However, an applied degree takes the skills that I learn and allows me to see how they would be used in the real world."

Zachary Nielsen, 2018 Graduate

Looking for something different?

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$47.5K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Application
  • Application fee
  • Personal statement
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
  • English proficiency for international applicants

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Social Sciences and Humanities admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Fall Term
Spring Term
Final deadline for international applicants: June 15
Final deadline for domestic applicants: August 15
Final deadline for international applicants: October 1
Final deadline for domestic applicants: December 15
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

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 remaining academic requirements during the following semester(s).

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Humanities & Social Sciences alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

 

  • Where They Work

    • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    • City of Boston
    • Liberty Mutual Insurance
    • Fidelity Investments
    • State Street

  • What They Do

    • Education
    • Business Development
    • Community and Social Services
    • Operations
    • Media and Communication

  • What They're Skilled At

    • Public Speaking
    • Research
    • Social Media
    • Leadership
    • Management

 

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.

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