Introduction

Graduate Advisors: Andrea Velasquez

The fields of public administration and economics are inextricably linked. Economists provide much of the theory and analytic foundation that administrators use to evaluate and implement policy. Given that the capital of the state of Colorado is in Denver, there is great need for administrators that fully understand methods of program evaluation and have the theoretical background needed to forecast how individuals and institutions will respond to new proposals. Similarly, good theory and practice must take into account how the proposals will be implemented and results interpreted. Both administrators and economists need to be engaged in constructive dialog for either to be fully effective.

A "dual" degree means that students who complete the program earn two master's degrees: MA in economics and MPA in public administration. Students interested in completing the dual degree in economics and public administration must apply separately to each program, meet the admission requirements of each program, and be accepted by each program. If one program accepts a student for the dual degree but the other program does not, then the student may not graduate under the dual degree program. Students may apply to both programs at the same time or apply to the economics program first, and then to the public administration program after their first semester, or vice versa. Both programs must be completed in the same semester to take advantage of the dual degree program. Further information about this program can be obtained from either the Department of Economics or the School of Public Affairs.

Click here or admissions requirements for the MA program in Economics

Click here for admissions requirements for the MPA program in Public Administration

Graduate Education Policies and Procedures apply to this program.

Program Requirements

1. The requirements for the dual degree in economics and public administration include completing 21 credit hours in ECON and 27 credit hours in PUAD (48 total credit hours).
2. Students are expected to meet all course prerequisites.
3. Students must complete a minimum of 48 graduate (5000-level) or higher ECON and PUAD credit hours.
4. Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (2.7) in all courses that apply to the degree and must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Courses taken using P+/P/F or S/U grading cannot apply to program requirements. No course may be taken more than twice and only one attempt will retain the credit.
5. Students must complete all coursework with CU Denver faculty.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete the following required courses:		33
ECON 5073	Microeconomic Theory
ECON 5083	Macroeconomic Theory
ECON 5803	Mathematical Economics
ECON 5813	Econometrics I
ECON 5823	Econometrics II
PUAD 5001	Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service
PUAD 5002	Organizational Management and Behavior
PUAD 5003	Research and Analytic Methods
or PUAD 5004	Economics and Public Finance
PUAD 5005	The Policy Process and Democracy
PUAD 5006	Public Service Leadership and Ethics
PUAD 5008	Evidence-Based Decision-Making
Complete a minimum of 12 elective credit hours.		12
Complete three to six graduate (5000-level or higher) ECON credit hours.
Complete six to nine graduate (5000-level or higher) PUAD credit hours. 2
Complete one of the following Capstone courses: 3		3
ECON 6073	Research Seminar
PUAD 5361	MPA Capstone Seminar
Total Hours		48

¹

Students planning on taking ECON 6073 Research Seminar are strongly encouraged to take three elective hours of ECON 6053 Seminar In Applied Economics/ECON 6054 Seminar In Applied Economics II.

²

Contact a graduate SPA advisor for information about their course requirements.

³

If the student takes ECON 6073 Research Seminar, then three hours of elective credits must come from Economics and nine from SPA. If the student takes PUAD 5361 MPA Capstone Seminar, then six hours of elective credits must come from Economics and six from SPA.

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for the Economics program, please visit our website. 

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for the Public Administration program, please visit our website.