The Department of Economics offers a 5-year combined degree program (3+2 Fastrack) that provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Science in Economics with a concentration with either Financial Economics or Financial Econometrics.
The Master’s degree program was created in response to the increasingly high demand from students seeking a professional master’s degree in economics and employers looking for candidates with advanced training.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Economics provides rigorous training in economics and econometrics. Through this program, you'll enhance your analytical and quantitative skills.
After completing this program, you'll be prepared for an immediate career in business or government. You'll also be prepared for further study in top economics and finance Ph.D. programs.
Job Placement
Job placement refers to the successful employment of a person to a job. Our students’ job placement is 100%, and many secure employment before graduation. By showing your capacity to complete a strenuous degree plan in five years, the demand for you as an employee will highly increase. See our Job and Internship Placement for the most current information on where our students are securing employment.
3+2 Fastrack Curriculum
The Fastrack program adds one year to an undergraduate’s Bachelor’s degree. The 36 credit hour curriculum includes of 15 credit hours of required core courses that teach students analytical and quantitative skills and their real-world applications. These skills are showcased during a Capstone course (ECON 675) in the second Fall semester of the program. Of the 15 credit hours of required core courses, 6 credit hours (or 2 classes) will count once towards their B.S. ECON degree and once towards their M.S. ECON degree. We call this “double-count courses”. Students will also choose 9 credit hours of coursework to fulfill a concentration in either financial economics or financial econometrics, and 12 credit hours of electives. The curriculum breakdown can be found on the M.S. ECON Curriculum website.
5 Year Program: Bachelor of Science in Economics + Master of Science in Economics Requirements
5 Year Program: Bachelor of Arts in Economics + Master of Science in Economics Requirements
Tuition and Fees
The Economics Department charges Master’s students a $5,000 program fee per long semester (Fall and Spring). Fastrack (3+2) students will be charged for their first two long semesters (Fall and Spring only) after they have completed their undergraduate curriculum and are reclassified as degree-seeking Master’s students. This program fee is in addition to their tuition and other university fees. It is used to provide additional academic support and professional development for the Master’s students. For more information about tuition and fees visit the tuition calculator.
When to Apply
B.S. Economics students are highly encouraged to apply to the 3+2 Fastrack program during their Junior year. Upon approval, Seniors may apply if they have one semester of coursework remaining. Students should first meet with an undergraduate advisor to review their coursework and receive an undergraduate semester course planner. This planner will help determine when they are eligible to apply.
Note: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required.
Deadlines:
- April 1 (for Fall Admission)
- October 15 (for Spring Admission)
- Need more time? Email Ms. Margaret Lomas Carpenter at marge@tamu.edu.
How to Apply
- Step 1
- Schedule a meeting with the Fastrack undergraduate advisor, Ms. Shelby Wallace, via Navigate and indicate “Fastrack” in the notes.
- Step 2
- Submit the following application materials to the MS ECON Assistant Program Director
- Fastrack-Application
- Undergraduate Semester Course Planner (given to you by the Fastrack undergraduate advisor)
- Resume
- Letter of Recommendation from ECON Professor
- This letter is only required if the applicant has less than a 3.40 cumulative GPA
- The professor can email their letter to the MS ECON Assistant Program Director
- Submit the following application materials to the MS ECON Assistant Program Director
Applicants will be notified of their admission within two weeks after submitting a complete application.
For questions regarding the B.S./B.A. Economics curriculum, contact an undergraduate advisor.
For questions regarding the M.S. Economics curriculum, contact the MS ECON Assistant Program Director, Margaret Lomas Carpenter, or schedule an appointment.
For non-economics undergraduate students interested in learning more about the accelerated Master’s program, click on the ECON Minor to Master’s Program and Accelerated Master’s Program page.