Planning Your Program of Study

The Program of Study is useful as a planning tool for self-advising and mapping out your master's curriculum. The Program of Study lists all coursework, exam, and transfer credit to be applied to your degree. 
  
The Program of Study form is available on our Canvas Economics Graduate Student Community site, and your advisor will share instructions on how to access this information after you enroll.  You'll also find important course and grade policies referenced on the Program of Study document to help you plan your curriculum.  

We strongly recommend that you use this Program of Study form from the beginning of your program. This will help you track your progress and make changes to your curriculum as you move forward in the program.  

When you ask for advising appointments, it is helpful for you to have your program of study available! 

Requirements Notes

In addition to the requirements cited in the University Catalog and on the College of Humanities and Social Sciences website, the following requirements also apply:

  • 30 credit hours must be applied to the degree
  • At least 18 credit hours must be earned as a degree-seeking student in the Economics MA program at George Mason University (see Transfer policy)
  • 15 credit hours of core coursework must be applied to the degree (exceptions or waivers must be approved by the MA Director):
    • 6 credit hours of Microeconomic theory (ECON 611 and 612)
    • 3 credit hours of Macroeconomic theory (ECON 615)
    • 3 credit hours of Mathematical Economics (ECON 630) 
    • 3 credit hours of Applied Econometrics (ECON 535)
  • All students must complete the micro and macro theory course sequences even if they have taken similar courses at another institution. Exceptions will not be granted.
  • On-campus students must pass the MA Applied Economic Theory comprehensive exam (see MA Comprehensive Exam)
  • Online students must complete the ECON 690 MA Economics Capstone course
  • On-campus students may take up to 6 credits through:  1) departments outside of Economics, with the MA Director's approval, 2) the Consortium with the MA Director's approval, and 3) directed readings (ECON 896) to be applied toward degree requirements.
  • Graduation timeline: students must graduate within 6 years after first enrollment
  • Grade requirements: Must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in coursework to graduate, which may include no more than 6 credits of C grades. Students should also aim to keep each term-GPA at 3.00 or higher to maintain good academic standing; beginning Fall 2026, students earning term-GPAs less than 3.00 for two semesters may meet the threshold for academic termination.  

Last updated: 06/11/26