Economics AB/Economics MA

The primary objective of the bachelor's/master's dual degree program is to provide exceptionally able and highly motivated undergraduates with rigorous, advanced training in economics. Successful completion of the program will prepare them for enrollment in top-ranked Ph.D. programs and positions with elite employers in technically demanding fields.

Graduates of the present combined degree program have also been highly successful in national competitions for major fellowships for graduate study, including two National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and a Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowship. Program graduates have also been named finalists for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships, as well as first alternate for the Marshall Scholarship.

Admission to Program

Because of the extensive prerequisites, students must be on-track early in their undergraduate careers to complete both degrees in a timely manner. Students who are interested in the dual degree program must attend an information session that is offered at least once per term. If students cannot make the session, we schedule a second to make sure that everyone who expresses interest can attend. After attending the information session, students interested in the program must meet with the Undergraduate Advisor and the Graduate Coordinator to map out an appropriate program of study.

To prepare program participants for these graduate-level courses, we require that they complete 15 credit-hours of undergraduate mathematics and 6 credit-hours of undergraduate statistics, and excel in the core undergraduate major classes in economics.

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

Students must complete the requirements for both the A.B. degree and the M.A. degree in Economics. Consistent with University policy, students can use up to 12 credit-hours of graduate-level coursework towards both the bachelor's and the master's degree requirements.

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

Students in the program will earn the M.A. degree by completing a minimum number of graduate-level courses and satisfying the core requirements for the A.B. degree in Economics.

To earn the M.A. degree, a student must complete 30 graduate-level credit-hours in Economics. Students may take no more than 9 credit-hours of ECON 7000 and 7300. At least 21 credit-hours must be from 8000-level courses.

Admission to Graduate Program

Typically, students apply to the UGA Graduate School before completing 12 graduate-level credit-hours.

Candidates for the M.A. degree must apply to the Graduate School by May 15th, before they complete 12 credit-hours of graduate-level coursework. To apply, students must have completed the mathematics requirements during years 1 and 2 and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7. Most students who enter the program have a cumulative grade point average above 3.8.

Admissions decisions will be made by the Department's Graduate Admissions Committee, which is typically comprised of the Graduate Coordinator, the Department Head, and the Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee. This admissions committee makes decisions by June 15th. After being admitted, students continue to be advised by both the Undergraduate Advisor and the Graduate Coordinator. Once they start working on a thesis topic, the students choose a three-person thesis committee.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Meghan Skira
  • Email: skira@uga.edu
  • Phone: n/a
  • Address: B426 Amos Hall

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Economics A.B.
  • Department/College: Economics

Advising Contact

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Economics M.A.
  • Department/College: Economics

Advising Contact

  • Name: Meghan Skira
  • Email: skira@uga.edu
  • Phone: n/a
  • Address: B426 Amos Hall