Economics

Chair: Buhong Zheng
Program Assistant: Christine Lukvec
Office: Lawrence Street Center, 460
Telephone: 303-315-2030
Fax: 303-315-2048
Website: econ.ucdenver.edu/home/

Faculty

Professors:

Laura M. Argys, PhD, University of Colorado
Brian J. Duncan, PhD, University of California at Santa Barbara
Steven G. Medema, PhD, Michigan State University
Daniel I. Rees, PhD, Cornell University
W. James Smith, PhD, University of Colorado
Buhong Zheng, PhD, West Virginia University

Associate Professors:

Steven R. Beckman, PhD, University of California Davis
Hani Mansour, PhD, Univeristy of California at Santa Barbara

Assistant Professors:

Ryan P. Brown, PhD, Duke University
Chloe East, PhD, University of California Davis
Andrew I. Friedson, PhD, Syracuse University
Phillip Luck, PhD, University of California Davis
Andrea Velasquez, PhD, Duke University

Instructors:

Alpna Bhatia, PhD, University of Colorado
Enoch Cheng, PhD, Univeristy of California-Los Angeles
Debbie Evercloud, PhD, University of Virginia
Nicholas Golding, MA, Ohio State University
Kyle J. Hurst, MA, Baylor University
George K. Quansah, MA, University of Colorado
Yue Shen, PhD, Queen’s University
Kawin Thamtanajit, PhD, University of Delaware

Economics is the science of decision making. The rigorous and general approach that characterizes economics lends itself to a remarkably wide field of practical application. Economists are noted for major contributions in a number of fields including government policy, taxation, law, regulation, political economy, international trade and finance, international and U.S. development, marketing, environmental studies, medical policy, portfolio management and banking. The broad and rigorous training of economics majors accounts for their significant demand in virtually every industry and government agency. Economics provides excellent preparation for advanced graduate study as well. Recent studies indicate that economics is a preferred degree for prestigious MBA programs and law schools.

Graduate Program

The MA program in economics at CU Denver is directed toward two groups: (1) those who look on the MA as a key to career development in business or government service, and (2) those who desire to go on to pursue the PhD in economics or related fields.

The strong quantitative emphasis of the department’s MA program is ideally suited for the pursuit of both these goals. Students are steeped in econometric theory and its applications from the beginning of the program, receiving broad exposure both to the tools of econometric analysis and the application of these tools to a wide range of economic phenomena. The applications involve extensive exposure to the professional literature in various applied fields and a research seminar in which each student will undertake a sophisticated applied research project under faculty supervision.

Students are allowed a great deal of flexibility in choosing their elective courses. Possibilities include advanced quantitative courses in economics, advanced field courses in economics (e.g., money and banking, international economics), business courses and advanced mathematics courses (which are particularly useful for those who wish to pursue the PhD in economics). All of this is intended to give students the opportunity to complement their extensive quantitative training with additional knowledge and skills that will best enhance their prospects upon graduation.

Click here to learn about the Master of Arts in Economics.

Click here to learn about the Master of Science in Health Economics.

Click here to learn about the MA Economics/MS Applied Mathematics Dual Degree.

Click here to learn about the MA Economics/MS Finance Dual Degree.

Click here to learn about the MA Economics/MPA Public Administration Dual Degree.

Click here to learn about the Doctorate in Health Economics.