Become an Economic Analyst
In DePaul’s Master of Science (MS) in Economics and Quantitative Analysis you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of economic theory and advanced skills in data analysis that position you to examine economic and business policies. The research-driven curriculum prepares you to be a hands-on economic analyst.
Interested students participate in 12-16 week fellowships at private companies, a government agency, public policy institute or nonprofit in Chicago, Washington D.C., or another city.
Program Features
Through the MS in Economics and Quantitative Analysis program, students develop skills and knowledge in:
- Applied economic theory.
- Demonstrating research findings through written analyses for audiences that include business professionals, economists, policymakers and the public.
- Conducting econometric research.
- The relationship between economics and politics.
STEM Designation
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 48 |
| Total hours required | 48 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Graduates will use advanced micro and macroeconomic theories to analyze real-world economic scenarios.
- Graduates will master various quantitative methods, enabling them to rigorously test hypotheses using economic data.
- Graduates will be equipped to evaluate and recommend economic policies based on empirical evidence and sound reasoning.
- Graduates will seamlessly integrate insights from allied disciplines to address multifaceted economic challenges.
- Graduates will consistently apply ethical principles in economic analysis, ensuring responsible and equitable recommendations and decisions.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisite Requirements
Students must have completed one course in Principles of Microeconomics and one in Principles of Macroeconomics prior to admission to the MSEPA program.
Course Requirements
Students in the MSEQA program complete 12 courses (48 credit hours). The degree consists of seven required core courses plus five elective courses. As part of the electives, students may apply for a one- or two-course equivalent research fellowship.
Students may enroll in the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes are generally offered during the evening. The typical full-time student will finish the program in five quarters. Students are advised to take no more than three courses per term. Students attending the program part-time will typically take two evening courses per quarter and finish the program in six quarters.
Within the MS-EQA degree program, our quantitatively focused electives reflect the intersection of data-driven methodologies with specific branches of economic study. Tailored to meet the demands of contemporary economic analysis, these courses seamlessly integrate rigorous economic theory with advanced quantitative techniques. Students will have the opportunity to explore areas such as labor economics, where they will analyze workforce trends and employment data; health economics, delving into the data-rich realm of healthcare outcomes and costs; and industrial organization, assessing the structures and behaviors of firms in competitive markets. All courses, while rooted in their unique theoretical domain, emphasize the power of quantitative tools to extract actionable insights. Through this blend of specialized economic focus and quantitative rigor, our electives ensure graduates are well-prepared to address nuanced challenges across varied economic sectors.
Core Courses (7 required courses)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECO 505 | ADVANCED MICROECONOMICS | 4 |
| ECO 506 | ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS | 4 |
| ECO 507 | DATA ANALYTICS I: REGRESSION ANALYSIS | 4 |
| ECO 508 | DATA ANALYTICS II: TIME SERIES AND PANEL DATA ANALYSIS | 4 |
| ECO 510 | DATA ANALYTICS III: CAUSAL INFERENCE | 4 |
| ECO 515 | MICROECONOMICS OF MARKET ORGANIZATION | 4 |
| ECO 575 | DATA ANALYTICS PRACTICUM | 4 |
Elective Courses (5 courses required)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select five of the following: | 20 | |
| INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION | ||
| ECONOMICS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR I | ||
| LABOR ECONOMICS AND LABOR RELATIONS | ||
| HEALTH ECONOMICS | ||
| INTERNATIONAL TRADE THEORY & POLICY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS (Research Fellowship I) | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS (Research Fellowship II) | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY (Directed Research Project. Requires department consent.) | ||
Research Fellowship
The research fellowship allows students to work full-time on Capitol Hill, an independent agency or nonprofit in Washington D.C., Chicago, or elsewhere for 12 to 16 weeks. Fellowships immerse students in analysis, research and policymaking, while providing a unique opportunity to develop an extensive professional network.
In order to be eligible for the fellowship, students must have earned a course grade of B or better in ECO 505, ECO 506 and ECO 507. In addition to the academic requirements, students must also have departmental approval.
Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.
- Satisfactory completion of the 12 required and elective courses.
- All courses for credit toward the degree must be completed within six calendar years after the candidate’s first term of enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. After a lapse of six years a course is expired. An expired course is not acceptable for the purpose of satisfaction of degree requirements and is not applicable to the degree without the written approval of the director of the program or the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.