The master's degree program in regional science has two goals:
- Prepare students for professional careers as research and policy analysts in regional science.
- Prepare students for Ph.D. programs in regional science or related fields such as public policy, economics, or planning.
Four semesters of coursework plus a master's thesis are required for the master's degree. The amount of coursework may be less depending on a student's prior academic background. The Special Committee for a master's degree candidate is composed of a chairperson who represents the major subject in regional science and one other faculty member who represents the minor field. The Special Committee chairperson directs the thesis research.
Shown below is a selection of potential courses in a typical program of coursework for the master's degree. Other programs are also possible depending on a student's background and professional interests.
First Semester
- ILRST 5100: Statistical Methods I (or AEM 4110/6120 Introduction to Econometrics/Applied Econometrics)
- CRP 6270: Regional Economic Impact Analysis
- ECON 3130: Intermediate Microeconomics III
- CRP 8300: Seminar in Regional Science, Planning, and Policy Analysis
- CRP 6390: Economics of Financial Crisis
Second Semester
- ILRST 5110: Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences II (or AEM 7100 Econometrics I)
- CRP 5250: Introductory Methods of Planning Analysis
- CRP 5080: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- AEM 4120: Introduction to Mathematical Programming
- ECON 3140: Intermediate Macroeconomics III
- CRP 6090: Planning and Policy Analysis
Third Semester
- CRP 5450: Intro to Quantitative Techniques for the Analysis of Public Policy (i.e. Econometrics)
- CRP 6210: Quantitative Techniques for Policy Analysis and Program Management (i.e. Simulation and Mathematical Programming)
- CRP 8000: Advanced Seminar in Urban and Regional Theory I
- CRP 8300: Seminar in Regional Science, Planning, and Policy Analysis
- Thesis research electives
Fourth Semester
- NTRES 6700: Spatial Statistics
- AEM 6510: Environmental and Resource Economics
- NBA 5240: Macroeconomics and International Trade
- Thesis research electives
Students may select other courses with the guidance of a faculty adviser.