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Take on the World

The Master of Arts in International Economics will prepare you for a career as an international economist. This program will give you the skill set to analyze the most important issues in today’s global economy. Studying at both AU’s Department of Economics and the highly ranked School of International Service, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the market, political, and other forces that drive the economic globalization process as well as private and public actors and institutions shaping international trade and financial developments and policies.

You will become an expert in economic research methodology and operate state-of-the-art statistical software commonly used in applied economics research. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for careers in government agencies, industry associations, financial institutions, multinational corporations, economic consulting firms, think tanks, multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations in the United States or abroad.

Markets and Policy With an International Focus

The MA in International Economics is an interdisciplinary, 39-credit program that offers a rigorous combination of theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented courses in economics, political economy, and policymaking focused on international trade and finance. A 24-credit core provides a solid foundation in economic theory, international trade, and international investment policy. The remaining coursework is balanced between study with the School of International Service and training in economic research methodology. The program culminates with a capstone experience addressing a major issue in contemporary international economics.

Full time and part time course schedules are available. See complete degree and course requirements.

Make a Difference in Your Career and the World

American University is located in Washington, DC, the most important city in the nation for policymaking. A vibrant, global city, it is home to international institutions, embassies, research institutes, think tanks, NGOs, international corporations, and the federal government. The extraordinary array of intellectual and professional opportunities in the nation’s capital makes American University the ideal place to study international economics and to work after graduation.

Economists earn a median annual salary of $116,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. DC remains among the highest paying US regions for economists and related fields.

Top employers of AU Master's in International Economics graduates include

  • Citibank
  • International Monetary Fund
  • US Department of the Treasury
  • US Department of Commerce
  • The World Bank Group

Knowledgeable Faculty Dedicated to Your Success

At AU, you will take classes from and work with a diverse group of esteemed economists and highly cited scholars who are engaged with practitioners and policymakers around the world. Our faculty's wide-ranging research interests, along with the variety of methodological approaches they use, create a rich environment for innovations in theory and empirical studies.

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Alumni Spotlight

Dita Dobranja, CAS/MA '16

International Economics

AU was the perfect fit.

Seeking a comprehensive, holistic economics education, Dita Dobranjua came to AU, where she received faculty mentorship, worked as a teaching assistant, and researched women's economic empowerment in developing countries. She now applies the skills and knowledge she acquired at AU as an advanced researcher at Riinvest Institute, a Kosovo think tank, and while teaching economics at Riinvest College.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Prior to enrolling in any MA courses, however, students must show that they have met the prerequisites for the program including: Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON-300) and Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON-301) (or Introduction to Economic Theory (ECON-603); Basic Statistics (ECON-202); and Applied Calculus (ECON-211). We are happy to waive these prerequisites for students who have completed comparable courses from another institution. Prerequisite credits are not counted toward your degree.

Graduate-level economics courses require the use of a number of mathematical tools, including multivariate calculus and linear algebra. Students are expected to have completed Basic Statistics (STAT-202) and Applied Calculus (MATH-211) prior to beginning the program, and Introduction to Mathematical Economics (ECON-505) within the first 12 credits of the program. Although our MA program is designed to prepare students for careers in policy-oriented, applied economics, all economists need a solid grounding in economic theory and econometrics. You cannot get this grounding without a basic understanding of the mathematics used in the field. Professional economists also need to be able to review the academic literature to evaluate what research has important policy implications; students must understand the mathematical tools used in this academic research.

The program has rolling admissions. To be accepted into a specific semester, turn in your completed application 6 weeks before the prior semester ends. Application forms and details about applying can be found at the International Economics Master's Admissions page.

GRE scores are required, though there is no minimum score. Full and part time schedules are possible.

Still have questions? Send us an email: econ@american.edu