Why MSQE?
The UConn Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (MSQE) is a STEM program with an emphasis on using quantitative methods and data analysis to help solve economic problems. Our students graduate with not only a strong foundation in economic theory, but also the skills and experience needed to do sophisticated economic and data analysis. We offer unique electives and summer internships to position our students for job success.
Program Options
UConn offers a full-length, full-semester MSQE program for students worldwide with an undergraduate degree. We also offer an accelerated program for current UConn undergraduate students who wish to pursue a combined Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Science (MS) in quantitative economics. Students must apply to the Graduate School for both the full-length and accelerated programs. Courses are offered at both the Storrs and Stamford Campuses.
Full-Length Program (3 semesters)
The MSQE Program requires 30 credits over 3 semesters (fall-spring-fall). Of those 30 credits, 24 credits are from required courses and 6 credits are from elective courses. This option is offered for students worldwide with an undergraduate degree. Recommended preparation includes previous course work in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics.
Accelerated Programs
Current UConn undergraduate students may be able to move faster through the MSQE program by double-counting courses on their undergraduate and graduate plans of study.
3.5 years + 2 semesters (BS/BA and MSQE)
This option is offered to UConn students who are scheduled to complete their undergraduate degree in 3.5 years, graduating in the fall semester. Undergraduate students take 12 specific MSQE credits, count them toward their undergraduate degree, and enter the MSQE in the spring term.
4 years + 2 semesters (BS/BA and MSQE)
This option is offered to UConn students who are scheduled to complete their undergraduate degree in 4 years, graduating in the spring semester. These students take a break during the fall semester (for an internship, for example) and enter the MSQE program in the following spring term. Undergraduate students take 12 specific MSQE credits and count them toward their undergraduate degree.
Requirements
An MSQE degree requires satisfactory completion of at least 30 credits maintaining at least a “B” (3.0) average.
Of these 30 credits, 24 must come from required MSQE core courses, and 6 or more are from electives approved by the student’s major advisor.
The required core courses for the MSQE degree are: ECON 5201 (Microeconomics), ECON 5202 (Macroeconomics), ECON 5301 (Mathematical Economics), ECON 5311 (Applied Econometrics I), ECON 5312 (Applied Econometrics II), as well as one graduate course in Economics in each of the following: Programming and Computation with R, Machine Learning for Economists, and Panel Data Econometrics.
Electives
Students can gain additional marketable skills by choosing from several MSQE elective courses. Topics include:
- Causal program evaluation, or the statistical methods and tools commonly used to evaluate causal claims about the impact of public policies and programs.
- Python, a programming language used by both small companies and major corporations to develop applications and to solve convex optimization problems.
- Financial econometrics, or some of the basic tools and techniques of mathematical finance.
- Operations research, or the optimization of input and output mixes, of delivery routes, and communication networks.
Professional Development
Summer Internships
After two semesters of completed coursework, our students can take part in an optional summer internship. Some recent host sites and internship position titles include:
- IHS Market: Energy Company and Transaction Research Intern
- Voya Financial: IT Big Data Analytics Internship
- CT Students for a Dream: Policy Coordinator
- Inter American Development Bank: Summer Consultant Internship
- Symmetry Partners: Portfolio Analyst
- Charter Communications: Data Analyst
- World Bank: Short-Term Consultant
- Collins Aerospace: Data Science/Analytics Intern
- China-Eurasian Economic Cooperation Fund.: Assistant
Job Placements
Upon graduation, MSQE students are prepared to put their education and experience into practice. Recently, our graduates have secured positions with:
- Lockheed Martin: Financial Analyst
- McLagan: Analyst
- Pratt & Whitney: Data Scientist
- University of Connecticut: Researcher
- IDG Capital Liquid Network: Analyst
- Aegon-Industrial Funds: Analyst
- Niagara Bottling: Supply Chain Analyst
- The Hartford: Data Scientist
- KPMG Beijing: Analyst
- Moody Investors Service: Analyst
- ED&F Man Capital: Fixed Income Analyst
Certified Business Economist® (CBE) professional certification
The MSQE Program partners with the National Association of Business Economists (NABE) to offer students the opportunity to simultaneously earn the CBE certification.
The CBE is a comprehensive professional certification program of study and examination covering the core MSQE courses in applied economics and data analytics, and the optional course ECON 5501/5502. Writing and Communication for Business and Economics.
The CBE is designed to train and certify candidates on skills and knowledge in applied economics and data analytics sought by employers. Created in 2015, the certification was designed by leading economists to bridge the gap between what is learned in an academic setting and the knowledge needed to succeed as a practitioner. It is a platform for networking, lifelong continuing education, and career development.
Students will meet the requirements for CBE certification and earn the title of Pre-Certified Business Economist after they:
- Complete the master’s degree
- Complete the Writing and Communication for Business and Economics course
- Pass the CBE exam
Recipients of NABE Scholars Program for Minority Students and Early-Career Economists:
- Alex Gu (UConn MSQE 2021)
- Stephen Acquah (UConn MSQE 2022)
Alumni Testimonials
The MSQE program gave me exposure to tools and skills used in the developing data science job market that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn otherwise. Classes in econometrics and statistics provided a good transition into a quantitative foundation that other classes in Python, R, and STATA would use to implement that quantitative knowledge. In addition, exposure to advanced Excel topics and Tableau really helped me stand out from the crowd. Overall, the MSQE Program has opened doors that would not be available for me otherwise.
The training I received in the MSQE was invaluable to my abilities as a data scientist and quantitative professional. The program equipped me with the skills needed to address practical problems that businesses face. While attending, I developed strong personal and professional relationships with members of my cohort. The faculty are involved and invested in the students’ success both academically and in job placement.
Through the well-arranged courses in the program, I efficiently developed the data sense and analytic skills that I currently use every day in my career as a data scientist. Every professor was supportive and accommodating to me. I felt comfortable stopping into their offices whenever I needed academic help. I found the many academic seminars attended by graduate students, professors, and field experts critical in improving my understanding of industry trends. It trained me to pay attention to new developments, techniques, and information that is critical in the data field, as technology is always rapidly evolving.
The MSQE program prepared me with the technical skills that I use regularly: coding with Python, R, and Stata; working with machine learning models; prediction models; and convex optimization. The course in Writing and Communication significantly improved my resume, my networking skills, and well prepared me responding to the behavioral questions raised in the dozens of job market interviews I participated in.
The partnership of the MSQE program and the National Association of Business Economists (NABE) has been invaluable to me. I am a recipient of the 2020 NABE Scholars program for minority students and early-career economists. The Scholars programs assigns leaders in the industry as mentors, and creates numerous networking opportunities for the 2020 cohort at NABE conferences. I found the annual spring Policy Conference in Washing D.C. especially valuable for making connections and having discussions with representatives of top companies in the industry on pressing current issues such as the supply chain, crypto currency, and the future of transportation. From these experiences I realized how important networking is, as well as the importance of constant learning.