BestOnlineCollege.org is an advertising-supported website. Many of the school and program listings that appear on this site are from partners who compensate us, and this compensation may affect how, where, and in what order listings appear (such as featured placements). This compensation does not influence our editorial content, evaluations, or rankings, which are determined independently using publicly available data. We do not review or feature every school or program available in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information so you can make informed decisions. Read our full Advertiser Disclosure.
Online Master's in Economics: 2026 Programs
The master’s degree is the level at which the economist job title becomes realistic. An online master’s in economics is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree – commonly in economics, mathematics, statistics, finance, or another quantitative field – and want graduate training in economic theory and applied econometrics. Programs are awarded as an MA in Economics, an MS in Economics, or an MS in Applied Economics, and the titles overlap enough that the required course list tells you more than the diploma text does.
This page explains how these programs are structured, what prerequisites they assume, how terminal and pre-doctoral tracks differ, and what to compare across schools.
Quick answers
What is an online master’s in economics?
It is a graduate program that builds advanced training in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and in econometric method through online coursework. It is the degree level at which the economist occupation typically becomes accessible, since that title generally requires a master’s or a doctorate.
What degree titles are common?
MA in Economics, MS in Economics, and MS in Applied Economics are the usual titles. Related programs include MS in Financial Economics, MS in Agricultural and Applied Economics, and master’s degrees in public policy with an economics concentration. Compare required course lists rather than titles.
How many credits is a master’s, and how long does it take?
Typically 30 to 36 semester hours, commonly one to two years full-time and longer part-time. Programs designed for working professionals often stretch across two to three years at a reduced course load.
What prerequisites do these programs assume?
Most assume intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, calculus, and statistics. Applied programs are often flexible about the rest; theory-heavy and pre-doctoral programs frequently want multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and sometimes real analysis. Applicants without that background are sometimes admitted conditionally or asked to complete bridge coursework first.
What is the difference between a terminal master’s and a pre-doctoral track?
A terminal applied master’s emphasizes econometrics, data work, and policy or business application, and finishes with a capstone. A pre-doctoral track emphasizes theory and mathematical rigor, often mirrors first-year PhD coursework, and finishes with a thesis. If you may pursue a doctorate later, the second track is what admissions committees will want to see.
What do admissions requirements usually include?
A completed bachelor’s degree, transcripts, a resume, and a statement of purpose are standard. Many programs ask for letters of recommendation and evidence of quantitative coursework. GRE requirements have loosened considerably, and many online programs are test-optional, though quantitative GRE scores still help applicants with thin math transcripts.
At a Glance
- Degree type: MA in Economics, MS in Economics, or MS in Applied Economics
- Typical duration: 1-2 years full-time, longer part-time
- Credits: Typically 30-36 semester hours
- Prerequisites: Intermediate micro and macro, calculus, and statistics; more math for theory tracks
- Accreditation: No programmatic accreditor for economics; verify institutional accreditation
Schools to compare
No school data available.
Typical topics in a master’s program
| Course Topic | What You Learn |
|---|---|
| Microeconomic Theory | Consumer and producer optimization, game theory, information asymmetry, market failure |
| Macroeconomic Theory | Growth models, business cycles, expectations, monetary and fiscal policy transmission |
| Mathematical Economics | Constrained optimization, comparative statics, dynamic programming, matrix methods |
| Econometrics I | The linear model, estimation, inference, and what breaks the standard assumptions |
| Econometrics II | Instrumental variables, panel data, limited dependent variables, time series |
| Causal Inference and Program Evaluation | Difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, matching, experimental design |
| Applied Field Courses | Labor, public, health, environmental, international, industrial organization, development |
| Forecasting and Time Series | ARIMA and related models, volatility, evaluating forecast accuracy |
| Thesis or Applied Capstone | Original research, or an end-to-end empirical project with a defensible identification strategy |
Skills and outcomes to compare
Outcomes vary by program, but you can compare:
- Depth of theory coursework versus applied econometrics and data work
- Whether a thesis track exists, and how research supervision works at a distance
- Elective range – policy evaluation, financial econometrics, forecasting, development, health
- Which statistical software the program teaches, and whether licenses are included
- Whether the program places graduates into policy, consulting, or industry roles, and whether it reports that
- Career services support, including whether it reaches online students in practice
For pacing and delivery comparisons, see: How Online Economics Degrees Work
How to compare online master’s programs
- Identify the program type: theory-oriented MA or MS, applied economics, or a specialized variant such as financial economics.
- Read the required core and confirm it includes a genuine two-course econometrics sequence rather than a single survey.
- Check the prerequisite policy and whether bridge coursework is available if your math background is thin.
- Decide between a thesis and an applied capstone based on whether a doctorate is a real possibility for you.
- Confirm what statistical software and data access are provided, including licensed datasets used in coursework.
- Compare online format and pacing options against your schedule and current work obligations.
- Verify recognized institutional accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education database.
Admissions requirements
Requirements vary by school, but most programs require a completed bachelor’s degree. Common elements include transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Nearly all want evidence that you can handle the mathematics – typically intermediate theory plus calculus and statistics, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
Applicants coming from outside economics are not automatically excluded, and quantitative backgrounds in mathematics, engineering, physics, or statistics are often welcomed. Some programs admit career-changers with conditional status, a required bridge sequence in intermediate theory, or a recommendation to complete prerequisite coursework first. Ask admissions directly what they expect rather than inferring it from the catalog.
Master’s vs a bachelor’s in economics
A bachelor’s in economics supports analyst, research associate, and consulting roles, and prepares you for professional graduate study. A master’s is more commonly pursued to reach positions formally classified as economist, to specialize in applied econometrics and policy evaluation, to pivot into economics from another quantitative field, or as a bridge toward doctoral study for applicants whose undergraduate math record needs strengthening.
Compare degree options:
- Online Bachelor’s in Economics
- Accelerated Economics Programs
- Affordable Online Economics Degrees
- Economics Programs by State and City
For a value and fit discussion, see: Is an Online Economics Degree Worth It. For adjacent graduate paths, see the Finance Program Guide and the Business Administration Program Guide.
Data verified: August 11, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.