The BA/MA Program

BA/MA in Economics

The Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and Masters degree in economics program is designed for the superior undergraduate student. It provides a strong base of knowledge and skills in economics, and at the same time accelerates completion of the Master of Arts degree. The program is limited to the Master of Arts in Economics and does not apply to the other M.A. degrees awarded by the department.

Thirty-six four-credit courses are the minimum for this program, requiring four-and-a-half years from the time of entering college. With three months of summer school, the candidate could receive the M.A. in four years. The grade requirements for an M.A. in economics apply to courses that are counted toward the M.A. degree. Students entering this program are urged to familiarize themselves with these rules and requirements. In particular, at least eight courses at the graduate level (EC 501-999) are required to be passed with a grade of B- or better, four of which may be counted toward fulfilling requirements for the B.A. degree. Students admitted into this program must maintain a grade point average of 2.85 or better in the M.A. courses and an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (including all undergraduate and graduate courses). The following courses are required as part of the M.A. degree: Microeconomic Theory, EC 501; Macroeconomic Theory, EC 502; Statistics, EC 507; and Econometrics, EC 508. The course EC 505, Elementary Mathematical Economics, provides the essential mathematical background needed for the required courses. A determination is made whether it is appropriate to opt out of this course by taking the mathematics placement exam. EC 505 will count as one of the M.A. electives. Other courses will normally be distributed in such a way as to take advantage of diverse field courses in economics. The student will take a written comprehensive examination that tests general knowledge of economic theory and quantitative methods. No thesis is required.

Interested students should consult with the Master’s Program Administrator. Candidates should apply by October 1 for M.A. candidacy the following January. Application by March 1 will gain acceptance by September. Candidates are recommended to apply in their second semester of their sophomore year, and no later than October 1 of the first semester of their junior year. Seniors may not apply.  They should already have completed EC 101 or 111, 102 or 112, 201 or 211, 202 or 212, and 305 (or MA 213 and 214). A course in calculus is required and may be satisfied by any of the following: CAS MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129. (See the Undergraduate Bulletin for further information on this requirement.) Admission to the program will be decided by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Continuation in the program is contingent upon continuing satisfactory performance. The option for B.A. independent work with distinction and honors will be open to all students admitted to the program. The BA/MA program is not available to Boston University Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP) students. Students receive both the BA and MA degrees simultaneously and only after completing both programs.  Graduation applications must be submitted for both the BA and MA portions of the degree.  A second major field of study for the BA portion of the program is allowed only upon approval of the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Application forms may be obtained in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions Office, Room 112, Boston University, 705 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.  Students are urged to contact the Economics Master’s Programs Administrator well in advance of application to begin development of their plan of study.

A typical BA/MA program:
  • Freshman/Sophomore Years: Same as for economics major
  • Junior/Senior Years: 6 courses from EC 300-999, including: EC 501 and 502, EC 507 and 508. 10 other courses (see note on optional courses for the economics major)
  • Additional Semester: 4 courses from EC 500-999

BA in Economics and Mathematics/MA in Economics

This program is identical to that of the B.A./M.A. program in economics described above, except that the candidate must satisfy all requirements for the joint concentration in economics and mathematics as well as the M.A. in economics.