| |
What is the application deadline for the Economics Department?
The Economics Department at American University has what is called
'rolling admissions'. Rolling admissions works like this: We accept
applications throughout the year. But to be accepted into a specific
semester, you'd need to turn in your completed application 6 weeks
before the prior semester ends. For example, if you want to enroll
for Fall 2008, we'd need your completed application 6 weeks before
the start of that semester. (*note: this is the deadline for a
fully completed application with all materials turned in).
There is no specific time period where it is "better" to turn
in an application; we review them as they come in. Furthermore,
we examine all applications as a whole. If one requirement is
poor, then making sure you fulfill other application requirements
above and beyond is always a good thing. The current academic
calendar can be found here: 2008–2009
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Application forms and details about applying can be found here:
Undergraduate Admissions
& College
of Arts & Sciences Graduate Admissions
Where can I find more information about
Financial Aid, Merit Awards, Scholarships as well as other funding
options?
American University offers two types of financial awards to help
you meet the cost of study: Merit-Based Graduate Awards and Need-based
aid (U.S. Federal grants and loans).
1. Merit Awards consist of Fellowships, Graduate Assistantships,
and Study Grants.
2. Need-based awards including grants and loans are U.S. federal
resources which are awarded by the American University Financial
Aid Office to U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident students. Both
part-time and full-time students are eligible for need-based assistance.
We also suggest that students seek out additional, independent
sources of financing to help cover the cost of study.
CLICK
HERE for more in depth information about these financial awards
and other options.
I want more information about an Undergraduate
Degree in Economics!
The Economics Department at American University offers the BA,
BS, Combined BA-MA, Honors and Minor programs.
All the information you need to know about these degree's and
even a virtual advisor tool can be found here: Undergraduate
Degrees in Economics
I want more information about the Masters
in Economics progam!
The Department of Economics offers several distinctive master's
programs also called 'tracks'. These are General Economics, Development
Economics, Financial Economic Policy, and Business Economics.
YES! Most courses for Masters students are offered
in the evening so that the degree can be completed in either full-time
or part-time status.
Degree Requirements: Depending on the track chosen,
students must complete 30-36 hours of approved graduate course
work. These hours will include 6 credit hours of core courses
in economic theory, 6 credit hours to fulfill the research requirement,
and 18-24 credit hours of elective or other required courses.
All courses must be taken for a letter grade (the pass/fail option
is not permitted). No more than 3 credit hours of ECON-691 Internship
may be taken. All courses must be approved by the advisor and
fit into a coherent educational program developed by the stuent
in consultation with the advisor.
There is an excellent chart explaining the tracks and courses
on this website- Master
of Arts in Economics Degree Requirements
Even more Masters degree information including a virtual advisor,
financial aid, and admission information can be found here: Masters
Program
I want more information about the PhD
in Economics progam!
The Department of Economics offers a PhD degree with programs
of study in either Political Economy or traditional Economic Theory.
The PhD program emphasizes international and economic policy perspectives.
The program offers diverse theoretical approaches including feminist,
neo-classical, post-Keynesian and provides solid training in empirical
methods which prepares graduates for teaching in colleges and
universities, research positions in government departments or
consulting firms, and policymaking.
YES! Most courses for PhD students are offered
in the evening so that the degree can be completed in either full-time
or part-time status.
Degree Requirements: A set of core theory courses,
a set of “tools of research” courses, and four field courses in
two fields of specialization, as well as two research seminars.
Core Theory courses: Students customize their core theory
courses in two ways, first by choosing between two tracks: Mainstream
and Heterodox Economics, and second by selecting a concentration
in either micro or macroeconomics.
Tools of Research courses: All students have the same
required “tools of research” courses, which are usually
taken during the first two years. Mathematical Economic Analysis,
Econometric Methods and Advanced Econometric Methods, Economic
Thought, U.S., and Economic History or Economic History of Europe
and the World. *Students must receive a passing grade of B- or
better in each “tool of research” course.
Fields of Specialization: The Economics department offers
the following fields: Comparative Economic Systems, Development,
Gender, Industrial Organization, International Economics, Labor
Economics, Monetary Economics and Public Finance. *Students will
choose two (out of four choices) fields of specialization. In
the first field, the student must both complete the course work
with a passing grade of B- or better and pass the comprehensive
exam in the field. In the second field, the student must complete
the course work with a passing grade of B- or better, but need
not take the comprehensive exam.
Seminars: All students must complete 2 research seminars;
one of these must be either Empirical Microeconomics or Empirical
Macroeconomics.
Comprehensive Exams: Doctoral students are required to
pass three written comprehensive examinations. These are: a preliminary
theory exam; an advanced theory exam; and, one field exam. The
fourth comprehensive exam is an oral defense of the student’s
dissertation proposal. The members of the student’s dissertation
committee will serve as the student’s examiners.
............and finally............
the DISSERTATION: All students must complete a dissertation
under the supervision of a faculty supervisor.
Even more information can be found by following these links:
Doctor
of Philosophy in Economics
PhD
Program Requirements
College
of Arts & Sciences website on the PhD program in Economics
I want more information about the Graduate
Certificate in Economics!
A graduate certificate program allows you to pursue your specific
career needs with a schedule that complements your work day. Most
classes are offered in the evening and on weekends. Certificate
credits can usually be transferred into graduate degree programs.
If you are not interested in earning graduate credit, but want
to obtain a competency-based credential, you should consider a
noncredit certificate as a practical alternative. The Department
of Economics at American University offers two different certificate
programs for those individuals seeking to supplement their education
with a graduate level certificate: a Certficate in Applied Microeconomics
and a Certificate in International Economic Relations. Certificate
programs are open to anyone with a bachelor's degree from an accredited
institution.
*The following links will provide you with more, in depth, information:
Admission
requirements and degree requirements
International
Economic Relations Graduate Certificate
Applied
Microeconomics Graduate Certificate
I want more information about Non-Degree
Enrollment!
A student who does not wish to or is not ready to pursue a degree
program but desires to take credit courses may be qualified to
enroll as a nondegree student. Nondegree students may register
for any university course for which they have the necessary academic
background and qualifications. Many students begin their studies
in nondegree status and apply the credit they have earned toward
a degree program in one of the schools or colleges of the university.
Full, in depth information about this option can be found here:
Non-Degree
Enrollment
What, where, when are the Comprehensive
Exams? How do I sign up and who has to take them?
Comprehensive exams are an exam given that has
been circumscribed by the syllabi of the required courses and
recommended courses. Generally the emphasis of the comprehensive
examination is on the last full sequence of the courses that are
required for the comprehensive examination. A comprehensive examination
requires a deeper and more synthesized understanding of the material
than is expected in the courses required for that comprehensive
examination. The
Comprehensive Exam Website can be found by clicking on this link.
Where? Exams are always taken on the American University
campus and testing rooms are scheduled based on the number of
test-takers. To register, come to Room 105 in Roper Hall and speak
to someone there.
When? Comprehensive Exams are given twice a year in January
and June, usually within the first 2 weeks of each month. The
examination date for your comprehensive will be set after the
registration deadline. It is your responsibility to learn about
the administration of the comprehensive examinations, including
the dates by which you must register.
How do I sign up? Students must register with the department
staff by the announced deadline, which is generally eight to ten
weeks before the comprehensive examinations are given. The date
of the registration deadline will be posted well in advance. To
avoid missing the deadline, you are advised to apply for your
comprehensive examination when you register for the semester before
you plan to take your comp. To register, come to Room 105 in Roper
Hall and speak to someone there.
What is the fee? There is a non-refundable examination
fee of $25.00 for each exam.
Who has to take comprehensive exams? In short, everyone
in a graduate program!
>Masters students are required to pass 1 comprehensive examination
in their respective track.
*Information
about the Master of Arts in Economics Comprehensive Examination
can be found by clicking on this sentence.
>>Doctoral students are required to pass 3 written comprehensive
examinations. These are: a preliminary theory exam; an advanced
theory exam; and one field exam. The fourth comprehensive exam
is an oral defense of the student’s dissertation proposal.
The members of the student’s dissertation committee will
serve as the student’s examiners.
*Information
about the Doctor of Philosophy in Economics Comprehensive Examination
can be found by click on this sentence.
What is the Summer Program in Applied
Econometrics?
The primary purpose of the summer program in applied econometrics
is to provide students, researchers and faculty with state of
the art econometric methods for analyzing data in the Social Sciences.
Examples include Bayesian Econometrics, Information and Entropy
Econometrics, Applied IO, Generalized Method of Moments, Nonparametric
and Forecasting, and Time Series.
Each day of the week-long course consists of morning lectures
that develop the basic concepts and philosophy as well as their
applications to real economic problems and data. Each afternoon,
these methods will be applied and practiced in the computer lab.
These daily tutorials and work in the computer lab provide students
with “hands on” experience in using these methods
with real data.
Registration,
Program Information, History and Future courses can all be found
by clicking on this sentence.
What about the Washington Semester in
Economic Policy?
This one-semester undergraduate program draws on the unique environment
of Washington, D.C. to introduce students to governmental policy
making as it relates to the international and domestic economy.
The program includes seminars, internships, and research. Students
earn undergraduate credit that may be applied toward the requirements
for the BA degree in the Department of Economics. See the web
site for the Washington Semester [http://www.washingtonsemester.com]
for more information. Also, see the American
University website for Washington Semester.
Can I participate in Study Abroad?
The university offers a wide variety of programs of study in other
countries such as Belgium, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Chile,
France, and Italy. Many of these programs offer course credit
that can be used for major and related course requirements. See
the AU Abroad web site
for more details.
Could you please send me some more information
or provide links to more information?
Unfortunately, we do not send out packets other
than very general information that is already listed on our website.
All of this information, forms and explained details can be found
through our website homepage.
Here are some important links to know about:
Application forms and details about applying: http://american.edu/cas/admissions/apply.cfm
Financial aid information, support forms and details: http://american.edu/cas/admissions/financial_aid.cfm
Faculty List (click on names for detailed descriptions and research
interests): http://www.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/econ/faculty/faculty.htm
The Economics Department home page: http://www.american.edu/cas/econ/
College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Admissions home page: http://www.american.edu/cas/
Student Resources (course descriptions, syllabi, virtual advising,
links, etc.): http://www.american.edu/cas/econ/student/resources.htm
|
|
|
