Hunter College offers an exciting master’s program in economics, taught by a distinguished faculty.

  • Classes are held on weekday evenings, and the program can be completed over one academic year and two summers.
  • Graduates are equipped with the statistical and analytical tools necessary for careers in data science, finance, and public policy.
  • Many graduates also transition to Ph.D. programs in top-ranked economics and social science departments.

      This program offers a fantastic opportunity to spend a year:

      • living in New York City,
      • studying at a renowned public university,
      • discovering the intellectual pleasures of economics, and
      • gaining significant professional advancement.

      Why study economics?

      • Economics is a unique social science that helps you think about society and everyday interactions in a whole new light.
      • Economics emphasizes the most pressing global welfare and policy problems.
      • Economists are highly employable. They have technical skills that are valued in a wide range of industries.

      Why study economics at Hunter?

      • Hunter College is a senior college in the City University of New York, the largest urban university in the U.S. It is located on the beautiful upper east side of Manhattan.
      • The professors in the Department of Economics are accomplished academics with a broad range of specializations (behavioral economics, media, healthcare, development, crime, firms, labor).
      • Economics Masters students have extensive interaction with professors and opportunities to meet outside speakers and learn about the latest research in economics at regular seminars.
      • Ours is a tried-and-tested rigorous program. Recent graduates have joined:
        • major financial firms including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley,
        • international organizations including the United Nations and the World Bank, and
        • top PhD programs including Princeton, Berkeley and Chicago.
      • Classes are held in the evenings so that students can pursue employment or other activities during the day.
      • Hunter offers an incredible value for money– a top-notch education from a highly-regarded program, without the price tag.

        Admissions

        • Applications must be submitted through the graduate admissions website.
        • Formal requirements are listed in the Hunter College catalog. However, some requirements have changed as listed below. If you have questions or would like to discuss your particular circumstances, contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Karna Basu.
          • Applications must include a statement of purpose, all past academic transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
          • The GRE is not required.
          • Applicants should have successfully completed undergraduate courses in intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, statistics, econometrics, and calculus. (Ideally, students should also have completed multivariable calculus and matrix algebra. However, these are no longer formal requirements as the redesigned M.A. program includes mathematical methods.)

        Program Structure

        Here is an outline of the M.A. program

        • Summer: Math Camp (free course)
        • Fall: ECO 700 (Math for Economics), ECO 701 (Microeconomic Theory), ECO 721 (Econometrics I)
        • Winter: ECO 727 (Research Methods I)
        • Spring: ECO 703 (Macroeconomic Theory), ECO 722 (Econometrics II)
        • Research requirement: ECO 798 (MA Thesis — any semester) or ECO 797 (Research Methods II — summer). 
        • In addition to the above, students must take three graduate electives.

        Depending on when you start taking M.A. courses, how quickly you wish to proceed, and remaining undergraduate coursework, you may take the above courses in a “Full Time” or “Part Time” manner, as outlined below:

        Full Time
        Year 1 Fall Year 1 Winter Year 1 Spring Year 1 Summer
        ECO 700 ECO 727 ECO 703 ECO 797 or Thesis
        ECO 701 ECO 722
        ECO 721 Elective 2
        Elective 1 Elective 3
        Part Time
        Year 1 Fall Year 1 Winter Year 1 Spring Year 1 summer
        ECO 700 ECO 703
        ECO 701 Elective 1
        Year 2 Fall Year 2 Winter Year 2 Spring Year 2 summer
        ECO 721 ECO 727 ECO 722 ECO 797 or Thesis
        Elective 2 Elective 3

        Notes:

        • Students opting for the Part Time plan may alternatively first complete the econometrics sequence (721 and 722 in the first year) followed by the theory sequence (701 and 703 in the second year).
        • Theses may be written in any semester under the direct supervision of a faculty member (requirements: B+ or better in all but one of 700, 701, 703, 721, 722, 727, or with special permission). 
        • ECO 797 is a non-thesis option (not eligible for honors).

          Contact Information: For more information, contact the Director of Graduate Admissions, Professor Karna Basu (kbasu@hunter.cuny.edu).