M.S. Degree Requirements with Thesis

1. Complete a minimum of 25 course credits.

All required course credits must be taken on a letter-graded basis, with the exception of 791Y, which is taken Pass/Fail. The thesis (RES-ECON 699) will carry 6 additional credits but does not count toward the 25 course credits. Specific course requirements are as follows:

Elective Recommendations: Students should carefully plan their electives to complement their major fields and provide breadth of knowledge. Although not required for M.S. students not specializing in applied econometrics, RES-ECON 702: Topics in Advanced Econometrics, is strongly recommended for all students. Students should consult with the GPD regarding their choice of electives. Courses such as RES-ECON 732 and RES-ECON 733 can fulfill the Elective requirement. 

Graduate courses in other departments, such as Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Political Science, Environmental Conservation, and the Isenberg School of Management, may also fulfill this requirement with the approval of the GPD.

2. Apply to enter Thesis Option by April 1st. 

(See details under Satisfactory Progress below)

3. Select a thesis committee, prepare a thesis proposal, and write a 6-credit thesis.

The thesis committee is composed of at least two graduate faculty members; the Chair must be a member of the Department. Students must register for 6 credits of RES-ECON 699. University requirements stipulate that a thesis committee be approved and appointed by the Graduate School Dean.

Responsibility for preparing the thesis rests with the student. The style must conform to the Graduate School's guidelines for Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. The electronic file with two original signatures must be submitted to the Graduate School. The Department requires an electronic version of the thesis for the department's electronic library. As a matter of courtesy, an electronic copy should also be provided to the Chair of the Thesis Committee.

4. Pass an oral thesis examination (usually referred to as the Thesis Defense) administered by the Thesis Committee.

Presentation of a departmental seminar on the research is part of the Thesis Defense. The defense must be scheduled with the Graduate Program Coordinator at least 10 days prior to the presentation. 

5. Submit to the Department:

• Electronic version of the thesis
• Resource Economics Exit Survey (online). We expect all our graduates to complete this survey. A link to the survey can be found in the Graduate Student Canvas page.

(Note: Both of these items are required for signature of the Degree Eligibility Form by the GPD.)

6. Submit to the Graduate School

• Thesis electronically submitted through ScholarWorks
• Electronic version of signature page, with original signatures
• Degree Eligibility Form