MS Applied Economics

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the development of advanced technologies is altering the way people live and work. Digital markets are fundamentally changing interactions between consumers, businesses, organizations, and governments throughout the world. As a next-generation economist with an MS in Applied Economics, you will have the skills to take a leadership role in this dynamic environment.

A Leading-Edge Curriculum

To give students the skills needed for the new kinds of jobs being created every day in the digitized economy, our curriculum integrates economics and data science from day one. Students gain a foundation in major programming languages like Python and R in their first semester alongside core microeconomic theory. They then learn to apply these tools to acquire, visualize, and analyze data in economic applications as they study topics including pricing, the design of market platforms, and auctions. At the same time, they continue to learn new tools through courses in econometrics, experiments, machine learning, and other aspects of causal inference and research design.

San Francisco Advantage

The San Francisco Bay Area is the birthplace of businesses in the new digital economy. From San Francisco to Silicon Valley, these firms are learning to benefit from massive data flows and dynamic business models that allow them to understand consumers in great detail and adjust their product and service offerings quickly – without interruption. This work demands the type of sophisticated quantitative economists that are graduates of the MS in Applied Economics at USF. With hundreds of these firms in the area, our students easily gain real-world knowledge and experience to launch exciting careers.

STEM Program

We are designated as a STEM program (science, technology, engineering, and math). Eligible international students may apply to work in the United States for up to three years after graduation via the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and STEM extension.

Flexible schedule for working professionals

Evening classes make it easy to seek out internships or part-time work while completing this two-year program. For students already working full time, a three-year part-time option lets you get your degree without leaving your current job.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Applied Economics at the University of San Francisco trains students to apply the theoretical insights and empirical techniques of modern economics to practical problems in the business, government, and non-profit sectors.

This program focuses in particular on the skills needed in the increasingly digitized economy. Manipulation and analysis of data using industry-standard programming languages is an integral part of the curriculum from day one. Students learn how to use the tools of economics to grapple with the implications of the new markets and new information sources created by advances in information technology.

About the Program

The Master of Science in Applied Economics generally requires two years of full-time study. In the first year, you will master the core mathematical, microeconomic, econometric and computational tools required for the field and study how these tools are used in cutting-edge academic research and business applications. In the summer after the first year, students typically seek out internships with firms or other organizations in the Bay Area where they can begin to apply and hone their skills in a practical setting.

In the second year, you will enhance your knowledge and skills through advanced courses. The completion of a capstone research project in the graduate seminar will demonstrate and solidify your ability to analyze real-world data, to draw conclusions from this data, and to communicate those conclusions clearly in oral, written and visual forms. You may also choose to take your capstone research to a higher level as a Master’s thesis or to pursue another internship.

Classes are typically held in late afternoon and evening to facilitate internships or part-time work. Due to the requirements of coursework, students planning to graduate in two years will not be able to work full time. A flexible three-year option is also available for students who wish to continue full-time employment.

The Master of Science in Applied Economics at the University of San Francisco trains students to apply the theoretical insights and empirical techniques of modern economics to practical problems in the business, government, and non-profit sectors. This program focuses in particular on the skills needed in the increasingly digitized economy. Manipulation and analysis of data using industry-standard programming languages is an integral part of the curriculum from day one. Students learn how to use the tools of economics to grapple with the implications of the new markets and new information sources created by advances in information technology.

• Economic Data Manipulation: Students will be able to effectively use modern programming languages to clean, organize, query, summarize, visualize, and model large volumes and varieties of data.
• Economic Data Analytics: Students will possess a theoretical and applied understanding of the use of econometrics and statistics for descriptive and causal inference.
• Applied Economic Theory: Students will be able to understand and apply economic theory to understand how businesses and other organizations interact with each other and with users/customers/clients and use this understanding to guide data analysis.
• Economic Problem Solving: Students will be able to solve real-world data-driven business and policy problems working with economists, policymakers, data scientists, and business practitioners.
• Economic Communication: Students will be able to communicate their research approach and findings at an excellent level, both in writing and verbally.