Economics

University of Missouri-Columbia
Master of arts
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Master of arts

Understand how the world works by earning an online master of arts in economics from the University of Missouri. Economics ripples through society beyond supply and demand. Theories and outcomes influence industries from finance and banking through healthcare and cross international borders. Today, the growing field of data analytics drives how economists make predictions, allowing for greater accuracy, more context and more nuanced forecasts.

Our online master’s in economics stands on these principles. A flexible, career-enhancing degree for individuals across a spectrum of backgrounds, this program fuses economic theory with modern data analytics applications. This framework provides detailed insights into globalization and big data usage and prepares you to make an impact in international trade, international finance, economic development and the public sector through analysis and research.

Quick facts

Official name

Masters of arts in economics

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

College of Arts & Science | Department of Economics

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Credit hours

30

Estimated cost

$15,000.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Careers

What does the future hold? Why is the past significant? Economists conduct quantitative research to answer these questions. Results influence policy, contribute to organizational strategy and help boost profits across a range of industries.

Today, data analytics pairs economic theory with concrete findings. These numbers predict potential outcomes, optimize existing services and substantiate market trends domestically and internationally. Mizzou’s online master’s in economics begins from this intersection. You’ll grow your understanding of econometrics and statistical analysis to glean meaningful insights from large data sets. 

These tools transform you into a professional ready to:

  • Anticipate shifts and outcomes within the global marketplace
  • Influence economic development and public sector programs
  • Connect current and past events with future economic outcomes in international trading and finance
  • Factor in multiple internal and external economic variables to make more accurate forecasts
  • Determine why things happen and strengthen organizational decisions with hard data

Mizzou’s Department of Economics prepares all students to tackle current challenges and make sound predictions. You’ll learn to conduct research, observing political, social and organizational issues to connect the past with the present. At the same time, hands-on course work shows you how to contend with a real-world problem. Through theories, a foundation in macro- and microeconomics and training in data analysis programs, you’ll be able to arrive at a clear conclusion and defend your perspective.

Considering this process, the online master’s in economics program elevates the careers of individuals with a background in finance, engineering, accounting, management, statistics, mathematics or economics or helps you transition into a more research- and data-based role.

Econ professional working on a laptop.

Career prospects

What can you do with a master’s in economics?

Online master’s in economics students typically find themselves on one of two paths following graduation: as an economist or data analyst. With positions available from the private sector to government organizations, recent graduates hold such titles as:

  • Data scientist
  • Director of institutional research
  • Economic development incentive specialist
  • Energy markets manager
  • Lecturer in economics
  • Quantitative modeling analyst
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
13.34%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$84,000
Median salary

Supporting demand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified a need for 13% more economists, 22% more market research analysts and 25% more operations research analysts between 2019 and 2029. 

Program structure

You’ll see how the world of economics works through 30 credit hours of courses, all fully online. No campus visits are required. The typical online master’s in economics student takes one to two courses per semester to finish their degree in two years.

While the program emphasizes data analytics applications, its core courses (18 credit hours) focus on economic theory, application and research and encourage you to think globally. Going beyond, subjects introduce analytics software, programming languages and usage in the context of economics. Research involving the analysis of data sets helps reinforce your skills.

This foundation sets the stage for more specialized, industry-specific elective courses (12 credit hours). See how data analytics and economics play a role in international trade, the banking system, game theory and other mathematical models, econometrics, applied statistics and public economics. 

Course work

Satisfy your curiosity about how the global economy operates. Course work helps you make informed predictions and conduct data-based research to:

  • Understand economic theories from a mathematical perspective.
  • Learn to estimate and forecast through quantitative data analysis. 
  • Explore the microeconomics of consumption, production, pricing and competition.
  • Expand what you know about macroeconomic models.
  • Analyze data to make economic predictions.
  • See how economists conduct research. 

Review the full list of all core courses and electives.
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Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2 years

Typical course load

1 or 2 classes each semester

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Department of Economics