Master of Arts in Financial Economics

Upon completion of the graduate degree, you will understand:

• how financial economics is integral to financial institutions, industry and government
• international finance and its relationship to the U.S. economy
• a variety of economic models as well as the moral and ethical implications of  economic decisions and options
• the U.S. system of money, banking, and other business expertise
• investments and U.S. government policy and financial systems
• the relationship between the public and private sectors

Career Options

Careers in the financial economics area are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in both the private and public sectors and in government. A graduate degree in Financial Economics will prepare you to meet the more demanding career challenges in the increasingly complex financial institutions of a global economy. The graduate degree provides outstanding preparation for careers in law, government, business and finance.

Given the expanding needs of financial institutions with complex products and processes, there is a growing job market in the field of financial economics. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "overall employment of financial analysts and personal financial advisors is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations through 2014, resulting from increased investment by businesses and individuals."

Course Delivery

To provide greater convenience and flexibility, courses will be available in different delivery options:

• traditional day and evening in-classroom format
• online courses in seven-week format (two per semester)
• one-week, intensive courses using in-classroom format

Program curriculum adheres to UDM's standards of academic integrity and intellectual merit.

The program is offered at University Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township.

Pre-requisites and Admission Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Master of Arts degree in Financial Economics, you must meet entrance requirements of UDM. You must also have completed a baccalaureate or advanced degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

Degree Requirements

To obtain a Master of Arts degree in Financial Economics, you must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of required graduate-level Economics courses. In certain cases, additional prerequisites may be required.

Curriculum

All students will complete the following courses:

• ECN 510/315
  Economic Analysis of Enterprises
• ECN 512/316
  Analysis of Economic Conditions 3cr.
• ECN 530
  Economic Ideas in Perspective 3 cr.
• ECN 540/305
  Financial Economics 3 cr.
• ECN 545
  Economics of the Public Sector
• ECN 546/385
  Money and the Capital Markets
• ECN 566/465
  International Monetary Analysis 3cr.
• ECN 585/376
  Seminar in Monetary and Fiscal Policy

Electives

Plus two additional Economics electives from the following:

• ECN 535
  Contemporary Economic Systems 3cr.
• ECN 564/464
  Practical Issues in Financial Economics 3 cr.
• ECN 565
  Theory of International Trade 3 cr.
• ECN 570/347
  Economic Development 3 cr.
• ECN 575
  Resource Economics 3 cr.
• ECN 595
  Directed Studies/Special Topics 3 cr.

For course descriptions, please view the UDM online catalog (Archive Catalog 2002-2004).

Faculty

UDM's Economics faculty have significant academic experience as well as practical experience in the world of finance, economics and business. Specific areas of expertise include international and resource economics, financial institutions and public policy, and economic theory. The Economics department consists of seven faculty members with the addition of adjunct faculty when needed.