Two Plans

The M.S. degree is offered under either of two plans.

Under Plan I, 32 units of upper-division and graduate courses and a thesis are required. At least 12 of the 30 units must be in graduate courses in the major field.

Under Plan II, 36 units of upper-division and graduate course work and a comprehensive written examination are required. At least 20 of the 36 units must be in graduate courses in the major field. Neither 299 nor 396 units can be counted towards the required unit total.

Coursework Requirements

Core Required Courses

Under either plan, students complete a common set of core requirements in microeconomic theory and applications (ARE 204A, ARE 204B), econometrics (ARE 256A, ARE 256B), and research methods (ARE 258).

Field Courses

Students must complete three of the following four field courses under both plans: ARE 214: Development Economics (4 units), ARE 223: Economics of Agriculture (4 units), ARE 275: Economic Analysis of Resource and Environmental Policies (4 units), ARE 252: Optimization with Economic Applications (4 units).

Elective Courses

Under Plan II, students must complete elective coursework totaling at least 4 units. Students may choose from other graduate courses or upper division undergraduate courses that meet the general program objectives of the student. Allowable upper division courses do not include core undergraduate courses in Economics and Managerial Economics such as ARE 100A-B, 106, 155 and their prerequisites.

The following is a typical schedule for a master's student (a student must be enrolled in at least 12 units per quarter):

Sample Schedule for Master of Science Program (Plan I)

• FALL QUARTER
  • ARE 204A Microeconomic Analysis I (4 units)
  • ARE 256A Applied Econometrics (4 units)
  • ARE 223 Economics in Agriculture (4 units) or Elective Course (4 units)
• WINTER QUARTER
  • ARE 204B Microeconomic Analysis II (4 units)
  • ARE 256B Applied Econometrics (4 units)
  • ARE 275 Economic Analysis of Resource and Environmental Policies (4 units)
• SPRING QUARTER
  • ARE 258 Demand and Market Analysis (4 units)
  • ARE 271 Financial Economics (4 units) or ARE 214 Development Economics (4 units) or Elective Course (4 units)
  • ARE 299 Individual Study (1-12 units)

Sample Schedule for Master of Science Program (Plan II)

• FALL QUARTER
  • ARE 204A Microeconomic Analysis I (4 units)
  • ARE 256A Applied Econometrics (4 units)
  • ARE 223 Economics in Agriculture (4 units) or Elective Course (4 units)
• WINTER QUARTER
  • ARE 204B Microeconomic Analysis II (4 units)
  • ARE 256B Applied Econometrics (4 units)
  • ARE 275 Economic Analysis of Resource and Environmental Policies (4 units)
• SPRING QUARTER
  • ARE 258 Demand and Market Analysis (4 units)
  • ARE 271 Financial Economics (4 units)
  • ARE 214 Development Economics (4 units) or Elective Course (4 units)

Comprehensive Written Exam

The requirement to pass the comprehensive written examination under Plan II is separate from and additional to coursework requirements. Two attempts are allowed. Students may take this examination before they have completed their elective courses but not before they have completed their core required courses. A student may petition the Graduate Administrative Committee to request an exception to this policy. Such petitions should be submitted before the 10th day of instruction of the Spring Quarter.