Curious about how an MA in Economics from BU could benefit you in the future? Looking to broaden your financial knowledge and make a contribution to the field? Check out five reasons why we think our Economics programs stand out:
1. Diversity of Programs
BU offers three different programs for an MA in Economics. With an MA in Economics, an MA in Economic Policy, and an MA in Global Development Economics, you are sure to find a program specialty that is well-suited to your needs. In addition to the core courses, our Economics students have access to a broad range of elective courses that provide in-depth knowledge in a specific area of economics. Students can also take courses at other BU schools such as Questrom School of Business and Pardee School of Global Studies. Check out this blog post in which alumni Ruohao talks about his favorite class!
2. Outstanding Faculty
Our Economics faculty are pioneers in their research fields and great mentors to their students. RePeC ranks us as a top 15 US Economics department based on objective measures of research output, such as publications and citations. Additionally, a Stanford University Study has recognized BU Economics faculty as some of the most highly cited authors in the field. We have a full schedule of dedicated MA courses, and we pride ourselves on having our top research faculty teach these courses, so our MA students have exclusive access to the best.
3. Career Outlook
Graduates will find jobs in the public, private, and non-profit sectors as cabinet ministers, investment bankers, consultants, and data analysts, and Forbes’ 30 under 30 economists. Check out Alumna, vice president and senior economist at Goldman Sachs, Karen Fishman’s interview on the ProudtoBU podcast.
Graduates have been employed by Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Federal Reserve System, the World Bank, and more.
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- Between 60-70% of our graduates will go on to start their careers in economics as analysts, research associates, or junior consultants.
- 15-20% of our students are supported by institutional sponsors. These include government agencies, central banks, scholarship foundations such as the Fulbright Program, and scholarships offered by the armed services (such as the U.S. Navy) or the Foreign Service (such as the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship).
- 10-15% of graduates will go on to pursue further postgraduate studies in PhD programs or other master’s programs. Some also go on to pursue degrees in law and public policy. Our graduates are well places in all these endeavors.
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4. Opportunities for Internship and Extracurricular Training & Career Resources
Students in BU’s Economics programs enjoy a broad range of internship opportunities thanks to resources from the BU Center For Career Development and dedicated career fairs. Students have worked as interns at the Federal Reserve, the World Bank, and other leading financial institutions. The Economics Department offers our own MA Jobs posting webpage, resume and interview workshops, the career information meeting, and sponsorship for career fairs. The MA Alumni Leadership Council hosts two social media groups that you can join, one on LinkedIn and one on Facebook. Students with strong academic preparations also have the opportunity to participate in the RA-Mentor Program where they will receive additional training and credentials as research assistants for faculty or advanced doctoral candidates. They also have access to summer research fellowships offered by the Economics Department or other schools and departments in the University.
5. Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for economists as of May 2021 was $105,630. Additionally, in 2021 people with Master’s degrees earned 18% more per week than those with Bachelor’s degrees based on the median income.
6. Financial Support
While the University can only offer limited financial aid for master’s students, all our applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, with no service requirements. After students are enrolled in the master program, there are also opportunities for them to serve as teaching fellows and receive service-based stipends.
To learn more about our MA in Economics program, check out their website!
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About the Author:
Virginia (Ginger) Monroe
Marketing & Communication Assistant, GRS
Master’s Candidate, Theological Studies