Master's Program

We do not offer a stand-alone MA degree. A master’s option is only available as an add-on degree for currently enrolled Econ Ph.D. candidates, and Ph.D. candidates from other departments at Stanford.

How to Add a Master's Degree

The M.A. degree for Ph.D. candidates is not automatic. Ph.D. candidates must file the following forms to add the degree:

The Registrar’s office charges a fee to add this additional degree. 

Requirements

A Master's program consists of at least 45 units of coursework and must satisfy the following criteria. 

A minimum of 45 units
  • A minimum of 45 units of credit beyond what is required for the Bachelor's degree must be taken at Stanford. 
  • 40 of those units must be within the Department of Economics. 
ECON 202 and at least three additional 200-level courses
  • ECON 202 and at least three additional 200-level courses are required. 
  • A grade of B- or better must be achieved in ECON 202.
Demonstrate competence in empirical methodology

Students must demonstrate competence in empirical methodology by achieving a grade of B- or better in each course of one of the following sequences:

  • ECON 270 and 271
  • ECON 102A, 102B, 102C
Two term papers or a thesis

Submission of two term papers (or a thesis of sufficient quality). 

  • At least one of these papers must be deemed to represent graduate-level work. Normally, this means that it is written in connection with a 200-level course. 
  • A maximum of five units of credit can be earned for a thesis (Econ 400 or comparable MA thesis or dissertation course in another department) toward the 45-unit degree requirement.
Course restrictions
  • Any undergraduate courses taken must be numbered 105 or higher. 
  • No seminar courses numbered 300 or above can be counted.
GPA and grading
  • A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained for all master’s level work. 
  • All courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Additional Notes

  • Once the student has completed the above requirements, they must apply for degree conferral in Axess to receive the degree.
  • Any exceptions to the above requirements must be approved, in advance, by the Director of Graduate Study.