Accelerated MS in Applied & Resource Economics
Program Overview
The Accelerated MS in Applied and Resource Economics readies you to qualify for advanced employment positions immediately upon graduation, jumpstarting your career and contributions to the community.
Starting in your 4th year, you'll build upon your core undergraduate education by integrating advanced knowledge of applications and technical analyses, culminating in a non-thesis degree earned by the end of your 5th year.
This degree path supports highly motivated individuals who aim to enter the workforce with a higher level of competence and experience.
Tuition cost savings
You will earn an MS degree in just one additional year after completing your BS degree, saving one year in terms of time and tuition costs.
Expedited career growth
The additional year can easily make up for several years of on-the-job experience, providing for a faster and more fulfilling career path.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension for F-1 students
This STEM-designated program allows international students to apply for up to 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon graduation.
Increased earning potential upon graduation
Your MS degree will qualify you to apply for a wider range of economics jobs with higher salaries.
Degree Requirements
The 120 credits taken for your BS will include up to 12 credits of advanced coursework that will be applied to the MS requirements of 30 credits. Six of the twelve credits must include ARE 5201 and ARE 5311, both offered in the Fall semester.
Recommended preparation:
Freshman or Sophomore year
- Fall or Spring semester
- MATH 1071Q or 1131Qor a similar calculus course
- STAT 1000Q or 1100Q or similar statistics course
Junior year
- Fall semester
- ARE 3333 (prereq: STAT 1000Q or 1100Q)
Senior year
- Fall semester
- 5201. Microeconomics (prereq: MATH 1071Q or 1131Q and STAT 1000Q or 1100Q)
- 5311. Applied Econometrics I (prereq: ARE 3333 (offered every Fall semester))
- Fall or Spring semester
- The remaining 6 credits of graduate coursework will be electives of your choosing.
5th year
- Fall or Spring semester
- Complete 18 credits of graduate coursework, following the guidelines of the Non-thesis option. Click here for a full list of ARE courses.
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Please note that the thesis track is not available to students in the Accelerated Program. This program is designed for those who plan to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, offering a streamlined, non-thesis path to advanced career opportunities and higher-level positions. Students interested in pursuing a research-focused M.S. or continuing on to another advanced academic path are encouraged to apply to the traditional M.S. program, which includes a thesis option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be eligible to apply, students must:
- be a student at University of Connecticut, majoring in one of the following:
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- Applied and Resource Economics
- Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
- Economics of Sustainable Development & Management
- have completed the following prior to the second semester of their junior year:
- MATH 1071Q or 1131Q or a similar calculus course
- STAT 1000Q or 1100Q or similar statistics courses
- ARE 3333 (offered every Fall semester)
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- have officially expressed interest in the Accelerated Program by December 31st of their junior year
What is the application process?
- Officially express interest by filling out and submitting the ARE - Accelerated MS Program Application of Interest no later than December 31st of your junior year. You'll be asked to include:
- your unofficial transcript
- a personal statement explaining your interest in entering the program.
- Upon submittal, a Letter of Recommendation request will be sent to your academic advisor. Your application is not complete until your advisor completes this request.
- Once your packet is received, reviewed and approved by the committee, your advisor will work closely with you to ensure your course schedules are organized to meet the needs of the program. This includes the requirement to take ARE 5311 and ARE 5201 in the Fall semester of your senior year.
- Officially apply to our Master’s program in your senior year via the standard UConn Graduate School application process. Make sure to choose the ‘Accelerated or 4+1’ program as the Enrollment Cohort to ensure that the application fee and GRE requirement will be waived.
Let your faculty advisor know of your interest in the program as early in your academic career as possible. The sooner you let us know you're interested, the more we can help you navigate through the process.
How much does the program cost?
The cost of the program is the equal to 4 years of full-time undergraduate tuition plus one year of full-time graduate tuition, minus any financial aid, scholarships, or grants received.