Master of Arts [M.A] [Economics (Concentration in Financial Economics)] From Virginia Commonwealth University

Graduates of the program should be well-qualified to conduct applied economic analysis in either a government or corporate research setting. The program also is an excellent preparation for entry into a doctoral program in economics or finance.

Student learning outcomes:

• Students will use optimization techniques to develop demand and cost conditions from specifications of underlying utility and technology. Specifically, given a simple functional form for utility, students will be able to solve for optimal individual demand and, given a production technology, students will be able to solve for the firm’s cost curves.

• Students will understand and know how to apply quantitative macroeconomic models.

• Students will critically evaluate the validity of conclusions drawn from econometric models by others who have access to the primary data. In the AACSB classifications, this is a management-specific goal.