{"id":27037,"date":"2020-06-07T20:40:25","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T00:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/?page_id=27037"},"modified":"2026-02-20T10:17:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T15:17:29","slug":"ms-quantitative-economics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/academics\/masters-programs\/ms-quantitative-economics\/","title":{"rendered":"MS, Quantitative Economics"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>MS in Quantitative Economics<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a class=\"button-primary\" href=\"http:\/\/mycas.bu.edu\/economics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Request More Information<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <a class=\"button-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/bu-grs.liaisoncas.com\/applicant-ux\/#\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Apply Now<\/a><br \/>\nThe MS in Quantitative Economics is a terminal master\u2019s program that equips its graduates with the advanced knowledge and quantitative skills required for an economic analyst in the business world, the consulting industry, a central bank or government. The training provides a thorough understanding of fundamental economic principles, application of mathematical methods and modeling, and the use of computer software for large-scale data analysis. It is accomplished through the economics core (four courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, and econometrics) and four elective courses. These courses are designed exclusively for master\u2019s students, distinct from our PhD and undergraduate offerings. The elective courses develop quantitative skills and specialized knowledge in nearly all major areas of economics and are taught largely by our own research faculty. The entire program may thus be completed in one academic year. The MS in Quantitative Economics is a STEM designated degree program.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants to this program should have, or be expecting, a bachelor\u2019s degree in economics, economics and mathematics, or a closely related discipline (from an institution recognized by the Graduate School of Arts &amp; Sciences).<\/p>\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<p>The learning objectives of this program are to enable its graduates to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Have the ability to apply mathematical methods, through modeling and large-scale data analysis.<\/li>\n<li>Acquire in-depth knowledge in several areas of economics, as well as a broad perspective on the subject.<\/li>\n<li>Be able to conduct scholarly and\/or nonacademic work in a professional and ethical manner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"style20\">Course Requirements<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Candidates must complete a minimum of eight semester courses (32 units). The following courses in micro- and macro-economic theory, statistics and econometrics are required.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS EC 501 Microeconomic Theory. Covers fundamental economic principles and the mathematical modeling of households and firms, markets and prices, uncertainty and information; quantitative analysis of cost-benefit and economic efficiency.<\/li>\n<li>CAS EC 502 Macroeconomic Theory. Covers mathematical models of economic growth and monetary theory, with reference to real-world macroeconomic data; quantitative analysis of macroeconomic policy.<\/li>\n<li>CAS EC 507 Statistics for Economists. Provides the mathematical foundation of statistical methods, and quantitative training in data analysis through the use of statistical software.<\/li>\n<li>CAS EC 508 Econometrics. Provides in-depth understanding and quantitative training in econometric methods most widely used in economic research and policy analysis. Rigorous mathematical theory will be combined with practice involving data and computer programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>EC 501, EC 502, EC 507, and EC 508 are the <strong>core courses <\/strong>and cannot be counted as electives. Most students also take the following elective course:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS EC 505 Elementary Mathematical Economics. Provides the essential mathematical background needed for the core and other elective courses. A mathematical placement exam is administered to all incoming master&#8217;s students to offer guidance whether they should take EC505.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The remaining courses are to be chosen from a broad range of elective courses. Each elective course provides in-depth knowledge in a specific area of economics. The elective curriculum makes effective use of the students\u2019 analytic and quantitative skills acquired through the core courses, and reinforces this training by providing further opportunities for the application of mathematical modeling and quantitative methods. All elective courses emphasize critical thinking and problem solving; some elective courses are designed to advance the students\u2019 knowledge of quantitative methods; and many elective courses require students to undertake independent research or scholarship.<\/p>\n<p>For exact program requirements, see the departmental rules and regulations.<\/p>\n<h3>Language Requirement<\/h3>\n<p>There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"style20\">Core Competency Requirement<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In addition to passing the necessary number of eligible course units, students in all five master\u2019s programs (MSQE, MSEPP, MAGDE, BA\/MSQE and MBA\/MSQE) must demonstrate core competence in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics and Econometrics. Prior to academic year 2024-2025, they are required to do so by passing the MA Comprehensive Exam. For students who start the master\u2019s programs in or after the spring semester of 2024, the core competency requirement will be satisfied by taking and earning passing grades in all four master\u2019s core courses \u2014 EC501, EC502, EC507 and EC508.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"style20\">Time Requirement<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>All courses and examinations must be completed within three years of the original registration at Boston University&#8217;s Graduate School of Arts &amp; Sciences.\u00a0International students may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the terms of their visas, as governed by the International Students &amp;\u00a0Scholars Office (ISSO).<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"\/econ\/files\/2025\/03\/Rules-of-the-Masters-Programs-2025-2026-1.pdf\">Master&#8217;s Programs Rules<\/a> apply to all master\u2019s degrees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MS in Quantitative Economics Request More Information\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Apply Now The MS in Quantitative Economics is a terminal master\u2019s program that equips its graduates with the advanced knowledge and quantitative skills required for an economic analyst in the business world, the consulting industry, a central bank or government. The training provides a thorough understanding [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15047,"featured_media":0,"parent":33442,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27037"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15047"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27037"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38143,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27037\/revisions\/38143"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/econ\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}