Economics
The economics department teaches students to be critical thinkers and to use the discipline of economics to analyze and solve problems associated with important economic, political and social issues. These issues range from international economic relations to economic development, growth, income inequality, environment, education, housing and competition policy.

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Degree Offerings
- Faculty
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Application Requirements
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Contact the Department
Questions about your application?
Contact us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Bendetson Hall
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-3395
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
The Department of Economics offers a program leading to a Master of Science in Economics that provides a deep understanding of the theoretical and empirical foundations of economics and the quantitative tools required for research careers in economics. The department offers two degree program tracks:
M.S. in Economics: Course-Based track
- An eight course program which can be completed in one year, without a thesis.
M.S. in Economics: Research-Based track*
- A twelve course program to be completed in two years, with a master's thesis.
*Research-based track applications are only available to enrolling students and must be submitted in the spring of their first year.
Visit the Department of Economics
The master of science (course-based) will allow students to do the following:
- Use fundamental economics concepts such as scarcity; incentives; trade‐offs; opportunity costs; comparative advantage; price system; efficient allocation of resources; market failures; government failures; and scope of fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies
- Both apply economic theory to a range of economic issues across a variety of fields and economics subdisciplines and also effectively communicate their analysis
- Use statistical and econometric methods—including data gathering, data analysis, and hypothesis testing—in applied empirical work
- Apply multivariate calculus and linear algebra to the study of economic issues, and to use mathematical tools to derive results in economic theory and econometrics
- Read, understand, and replicate research papers in economics
The master of science (research-based) will allow students to do the following:
- Use fundamental economics concepts such as scarcity; incentives; trade‐offs; opportunity costs; comparative advantage; price system; efficient allocation of resources; market failures; government failures; and scope of fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies
- Both apply economic theory to a range of economic issues across a variety of fields and economics subdisciplines and also effectively communicate their analysis
- Use statistical and econometric methods—including data gathering, data analysis, and hypothesis testing—in applied empirical work
- Apply multivariate calculus and linear algebra to the study of economic issues, and to use mathematical tools to derive results in economic theory and econometrics
- Read, understand, and replicate research papers in economics
- Understand advanced econometric methods currently used in applied empirical work
- Form a specific hypothesis or question that is the basis for a research project or paper
- Carry out a literature review of a specific area of economics
- For students carrying out empirical thesis research:
- Develop economic models underlying economic research
- Collect and analyze data that is relevant for carrying out economic research
- Develop econometric models
- Estimate these models and effectively interpret the results
- For students carrying out theoretical thesis research:
- Develop economic models underlying economic research
- Effectively analyze these models with the goal of evaluating the specific hypothesis or question that is the basis for a research project or paper
- Demonstrate writing and oral skills to present, explain, and defend original economic research through a written thesis and an oral thesis defense
Related Programs
Faculty
Application Deadline
Fall: February 15
Application Requirements:
> Application fee
> Resume/CV
> Personal statement
> Official GRE required
- GRE scores are not required for current Tufts undergraduates and alumni
> Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable
> Transcripts
> Three letters of recommendation
For more information, visit the Department of Economics.
For questions about this program, including scholarships and assistantships, please contact the graduate program administrator.
Department of Economics
8 Upper Campus Road
Braker Hall
Medford, MA 02155
Email Administrator
Office: 617.627.3560
Fax: 617.627.3917