The primary objective of the graduate program in economics is to develop economists who can meet the demand of the private sector, the not-for-profit sector, and government and are well trained in the tools of economic analysis and measurement. The program stresses a strong foundation in standard economic theory, econometric methods, and their application to problems faced by businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and government agencies. Although the Master of Arts in Economics is designed as a terminal degree program, students who complete the program are well prepared for further graduate study in economics. The program is aimed at students with an undergraduate degree in economics or business, as well as students with undergraduate training in other academic fields.

 The prerequisites include: (i) Macroeconomic Theory (Intermediate Macro, or equivalent); (ii) Microeconomic Theory (Intermediate Micro, or equivalent); (iii) Statistics (Applied Business Statistics or Statistical Concepts with Apps or equivalent); (iv) Calculus (or equivalent).

Without the prerequisites, applicants can only be admitted conditionally. It means that they are not allowed to enroll in our MA core courses until they meet the prerequisites. However, they can still enroll in elective courses while taking the prerequisites from CSU.

The average GRE score on the quantitative section was around 155, with the range from 152 to 163, in the past few years. We do not keep track of the average scores for the other sections.

The graduate program in Economics at Cleveland State University serves two types of students:

a. Those who are interested in continuing their studies at the Ph.D. level; and
b. Those who are interested exclusively in the terminal M.A. degree to advance themselves in the job market.

The department follows the general requirements of the College of Graduate Studies regarding Regular and Provisional status. To be considered for admission as a Regular graduate student, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least a 2.75 grade point average and have completed intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, calculus, and statistics. International applicants must provide official TOEFL and GRE (general) test scores received directly from ETS. Students are advised to begin the program in the fall semester.  (International students are only admitted to begin in the fall semester.)

In the application form, there is a question if you are interested in a graduate assistantship that covers full tuition and provides a stipend. If you are interested, check it and send two letters of recommendation. You do not have to send the letters if you are not interested in the graduate assistantship. You do not have to apply for a graduate assistantship separately.

Tuition fee-1 year-$21,000

Total fee-1 year-$42,000