Bachelor’s to MA in Applied Economics | Bryan School of Business and Economics

Earn your bachelor's degree and an MA in Applied Economics in just five years.

Our master’s graduates earn on average about 30% more per year than those with a bachelor’s degree in economics. That amounts to over a million dollars of increased earnings over a lifetime. Entry-level salaries of our master’s graduates are typically in the $55,000 to $85,000 range. Kiplinger’s magazine recently declared the MA in Economics to be one of “10 advanced degrees worth the debt” and projected the mid-career salary for a person holding an MA in Economics to be $115,300.

Of our graduates in recent years, 90% have found work in their chosen fields within three months of graduation, with about half of those graduates having job offers in hand before graduation.

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Higher placements and broader careers

The MA in Applied Economics is a STEM program designed for students who seek careers in business, finance, or government as economists, forecasters, policy analysts, economic researchers, or managers with strong quantitative skills. Our graduates have been hired by employers in a wide variety of organizations such as research institutes, medical centers, financial institutions, and federal and state governments. Because our MA in Applied Economics program gives its graduates a unique combination of theory, policy analysis, and data analytic skills, our graduates are well positioned for promotions after their initial placements.

Program Features

Begin your graduate studies while completing your bachelor’s degree. Up to 12 hours of graduate coursework can count toward both degrees.
An optional graduate certificate can be earned along with your MA in Applied Economics degree.
Value! Low-cost graduate degree for a high-demand, well-compensated career.
Emphasis on career preparation and dedicated resources for Bryan School graduate students.
No application fee. No GRE or GMAT test scores are required for admission of qualified applicants.

Admission Requirements

Non economics majors are welcome to apply. Admission to the Accelerated Master’ Program (AMP) requires application to the MA in Applied Economics degree. Applicants must meet the following AMP criteria:

be a UNC Greensboro undergraduate students from any discipline or area or study
have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 based on at least 30 hours earned at UNC Greensboro
must have at least 60 completed semester hours (credits)
students may not apply for admission to the AMP before the first semester of their junior year

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester
May 15 – Final deadline

Spring Semester
November 15 – Final deadline

MA Program of Study

	Credit Hours	# of Courses
Undergraduate Senior Year	9-12 hours Master’s electives	3-4
Advanced Theory Core	12 hours ECO 641, 643, 646	3
Master’s electives	9-12 hours Master’s electives	3-4

Beyond number crunching

Professionals who can address real-world problems in business, finance, and government with advanced data analytics are highly sought after in today’s competitive job market. The Bryan School’s Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Economics goes beyond the standard data analytics program. We provide graduates with a unique combination of economic theory, policy analysis, and data analysis skills.

We teach students to identify real-world problems, understand the nature and context of those problems, and use the combination of theory, policy analysis, and data analysis to solve those problems. Excellent training is also provided for students who wish to enter the PhD program at UNCG or to pursue additional graduate education at other institutions.

As a recognized STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), both international and domestic students are eligible for additional benefits. International students will be granted a longer OPT timeline through the STEM OPT eligible criteria. Domestic graduate students will be eligible to receive outside STEM scholarships and aid such as those offered from the National Science Foundation.

Recent positions of our graduates

Health Economic Analyst,
Lockheed Martin

Economic and Financial Modeling Specialist,
Freddie Mac

Associate Research Analyst,
Center for Naval Analyses

Risk Analyst,
BB&T

Health Economist,
Abt Associates

Data Analyst,
Luxottica Group

Statistics Programmer,
SynteractHCR

Manager of Operational Analytics and Reporting,
Goodwill Industries

Qualitative Specialist,
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Policy Analyst,
North Carolina Department of Commerce

Economic Advisor,
World Leadership Survey Project

Model Governance Analyst,
First Citizens Bank

Research Public Health Analyst,
RTI International

Passion for Health Policy Analysis

Whether traveling abroad, testing recipes, or playing soccer, Bryan School alumna Anna MacMonegle thrives on exploration and teamwork. That adventurous spirit serves her well in health policy analysis.