The program stresses a strong foundation in standard economic theory, econometric methods, and their application to problems faced by businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and government agencies. Although the Master of Arts in Economics is designed as a terminal degree program, students who complete the program are well prepared for further graduate study in economics. The program is aimed at students with an undergraduate degree in economics or business, as well as students with undergraduate training in other academic fields.

The faculty is actively engaged in original research that spans a broad range of areas within micro- and macroeconomics. Special strengths in research are in the areas of Labor Economics, International Economics, Macroeconomics, Growth and Development, Health Economics, Environmental and Energy Economics, Public Finance, Industrial Organization, Organization Theory, and Computational Economics.