2025 brought no shortage of economic surprises. While stock markets continued to rise, new tariffs and trade restrictions disrupted supply chains globally. These pressures will eventually affect everyone, with higher prices and limited product choices.

But in every challenge lies opportunity. Understanding these dynamics is more important than ever, and that begins with the right preparation. That’s why Penn State University’s MA in Economics is so valuable. It helps you make sense of today’s issues and prepares you to shape tomorrow’s economy.

Penn State's Department of Economics launched its two-year MA in Economics in fall 2018. Since then, the programme has quickly become the preferred choice for ambitious students worldwide. 

Some seek careers where advanced economic knowledge is essential. Others view it as a stepping stone toward a PhD in economics, especially if they need more preparation to get into a top programme. And for those coming from institutions less familiar to US employers and universities, the programme serves as a way to boost their credentials and open new doors.

UCLA Anderson shapes future business leaders with an eye on innovation. Its MBA blends business acumen with AI-driven insights, ensuring graduates are ready to lead in the workplaces of tomorrow.

“We tried to take a holistic view of what might make sense, some quick wins that could get faculty excited about using AI and encourage students to be more proactive.”

Howard Miller, Chief Information Officer at UCLA Anderson. 

The MA in Economics merges world-class teaching with a flexible curriculum that helps you build the skills for economic analysis and research. Core courses cover everything from microeconomic theory and econometric and statistical analysis to macroeconomic policy and the latest methods in applied microeconomics.

The programme gives you the freedom to explore too. You can branch out through electives in economics, mathematics, and other subjects that support your interests and career goals. And in the final year, you'll put your skills into practice by working one-on-one with a faculty advisor to complete your master’s essay.

Master the tools of modern economics

The MA programme is led by the department’s full-time faculty. These professors are thought leaders in the field and bring the same expertise they use to train PhD students into the MA classroom.

Assistant Professor of Economics Kai-Jie Wu specialises in macroeconomics, economic growth, and labour economics. His current research examines how business and labour market dynamics evolve over time, along with R&D productivity. He was recognised for his outstanding scholarship during his graduate studies at the University of Rochester, where he earned both the Conibear Memorial Prize (2020) and the Tapan Mitra Prize (2022).

For Assistant Professor of Economics Maria Jose Carreras, the big questions lie in international economics and trade. Her research explores how uncertainty shapes a firm's decisions, such as supply chain formation and the gains from trade. Recently, she has turned her attention to the role of inventories in the production process, uncovering how they can boost resilience and stability in complex production networks.

Learn from leading scholars

Penn State is an R1 research institution recognised by US News & World Report as a top 30 department, with International Economics (#9), Microeconomics (#13), and Econometrics (#17) leading the way. A platform for discovery, this is where you'll gain access to research opportunities that turn knowledge into impact.

Bold research with global impact

At the heart of the Department of Economics are five research groups:

Unwavering support

UCLA Anderson partnered with Cloudforce in early 2024 to implement AI-driven solutions, selecting the nebulaONE® platform for its seamless integration and security within Azure. This private cloud system enables the school to design and deploy custom generative AI chatbots.

Their first chatbot assists MBA students with capstone projects. “We built an app that acts as a refresher for all the course material. The chatbot isn’t there to provide direct answers; it offers a road map and hypotheses that students must analyse and defend,” says Miller.

The results have been promising.

Cutting-edge coaching

UCLA Anderson is developing a generative AI chatbot to support its alumni career coaching staff by reducing administrative workload. “We have one and a half full-time employees who serve more than 40,000 alumni,” says Miller.

The MA in Economics is STEM-designated. International graduates are eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM extension of the F1 Optional Practical Training, on top of the standard 12. This means you’ll have more time to live, work, and build real-world experience in the US after graduation.

A degree that goes further

Whether you are interested in starting a career in the private or public sector, the MA in Economics provides you with the expertise needed to excel across diverse career paths. And if you are interested in further study, many graduates have advanced to prestigious PhD programmes across the US.

Future- and career-ready

Where excellence in economics thrives

When you choose Penn State’s Department of Economics, you're choosing a place where excellence is part of everyday life. Penn State is ranked among the top 5% of global universities, while its economics department is placed at #27.

Here, research and teaching go hand in hand. Faculty push the boundaries of economics while equipping undergraduates and graduates with the tools and ideas to shape academia, guide government policy, and drive progress in the private sector.

When you choose Penn State’s Department of Economics, you're choosing a place where excellence is part of everyday life. Penn State is ranked among the top 5% of global universities, while its economics department is placed at #27. 

Here, research and teaching go hand in hand. Faculty push the boundaries of economics while equipping undergraduates and graduates with the tools and ideas to shape academia, guide government policy, and drive progress in the private sector.

“During the last five years our graduates have continued to excel in the job market and the profession. Recent academic placements include the University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, Ohio State University, the University of Sydney, Taiwan National University, and Nankai University, among many others.

And many have taken positions in the private sector, including at Amazon, Bates White, and J.P. Morgan Chase. This continues a tradition of success on the part of our graduates, which is a great source of pride for us, and also an important factor in the reputation of the department.” says Barry Ickes, Department Head.

“During the last five years our graduates have continued to excel in the job market and the profession. Recent academic placements include the University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, Ohio State University, the University of Sydney, Taiwan National University, and Nankai University, among many others.

And many have taken positions in the private sector, including at Amazon, Bates White, and J.P. Morgan Chase. This continues a tradition of success on the part of our graduates, which is a great source of pride for us, and also an important factor in the reputation of the department.” says Barry Ickes, Department Head

Life at Penn State is all about the friendships, the energy, and the community you’ll discover at University Park. As the largest campus in the Penn State system, it  offers the best of a classic college town, complete with charming eateries, quirky shops, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Nestled at the base of Mount Nittany in central Pennsylvania, the area, also known as “Happy Valley”, is a place where students quickly feel at home.

On campus, tradition meets innovation at every turn. You might find yourself walking past the historic Old Main on your way to modern facilities like the Information Sciences and Technology Building or the Life Sciences Building. As the home to more than 800,000 students, there’s always an opportunity to connect. You can choose from over 1,000 student organisations or cheer on award-winning varsity athletics. At Penn State, campus life is every bit as special as what happens inside the classroom.

Hear from the students