Finance and Economics
Department Head: Dr. Michael J. Highfield
Area Advisor, Ph.D. concentration in Finance: Dr. Jacqueline L. Garner
Graduate Coordinator and Area Advisor, Ph.D. in Applied Economics and M.A. in Applied Economics: Dr. Randall C. Campbell
312 McCool Hall
Box 9580
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-2342
Finance Area Advisor's Email: jgarner@business.msstate.edu
Economics Area Advisor's Email: rcampbell@business.msstate.edu
The Department of Finance and Economics offers the following graduate degrees through the college of Business:
- Master of Arts in Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance
- Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Economics
The department also participates in the interdisciplinary Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. See the College of Business Administration section of this publication for MBA and PhD information.
Master of Arts in Economics
The Master of Arts in Economics program provides training in economic science to prepare graduates for professional positions in business, government, and education. Students receive training in the academic and applied skills necessary to establish and maintain a successful career or to prepare for further graduate work in economics or related fields.
Admission Criteria
An applicant must meet all University graduate admission requirements and achieve acceptable scores on each major section of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). For full admission to the program, the student must have previously completed intermediate microeconomics and intermediate macroeconomics or otherwise demonstrate a thorough understanding of basic economic theory and an ability to perform graduate-level work in economics. Students from all undergraduate majors are invited to apply; however, it is highly desirable for prospective students to have completed additional economics, statistics, and mathematics courses before enrolling in the M.A. program. We admit students every other year; we are scheduled to admit new students for Fall 2015 and subsequent odd-numbered years.
Provisional Admission
A student who has not fully met the GPA or other requirements stipulated by the University may be admitted on a provisional basis. The provisionally-admitted student is eligible for a change to regular status after receiving a 3.00 GPA on the first 9 hours of graduate courses at Mississippi State University (with no grade lower than a C). The first 9 hours of graduate courses must be within the student's program of study. Courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student shall be dismissed from the graduate program. Academic departments may set higher standards for students to fulfill provisional requirements; a student admitted with provisional status should contact the graduate coordinator for the program’s specific requirements. While in the provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.
Academic Performance
A grade of C or better is required on all undergraduate prerequisite courses. A student in any graduate degree program in the College of Business may not continue in the program with grades below B in more than 6 hours of core graduate coursework after admission to the program, regardless of the overall average. Thus, any program is terminated automatically when a seventh credit hour below B is recorded on core graduate coursework.
Ph.D. in Applied Economics
The Ph.D. in Applied Economics is a cooperative program offered by the graduate economics faculty of the College of Business and the Agricultural Economics faculty of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The program provides advanced training in economic science to prepare graduates for research and teaching positions in academia, government, and business.
Admission Criteria
To obtain regular admission status, an applicant must meet all University-wide graduate admission requirements and must achieve acceptable scores on each section of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). An international applicant not holding a prior degree from a U.S. Institution must submit an indicator of English proficiency including one of the following:
- A TOEFL score of 575 PBT (233 CBT or 84 iBT) or
- An IELTS score of 7.0.
Other indicators of English proficiency may be considered on a case by case basis.
A student must have previously completed intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, differential and integral calculus, and one semester of statistics before beginning the required course sequence. Applications are reviewed in the spring semester for enrollment in the following fall semester. We admit students every other year; we are scheduled to admit new students for Fall 2015 and subsequent odd-numbered years. Graduate research and teaching assistantship decisions are usually made in March.
Provisional Admission
A student who initially obtains provisional admission status must receive a 3.00 GPA on all core courses taken during the first 9 hours of enrollment in the program to achieve regular admission status. Graduate courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
Academic Performance
The student will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program in Applied Economics for any of the following reasons:
- Failure to complete core courses with a grade of C or higher
- Making more than two grades below a B in courses on the program of study after admission to the program
- Qualifying examination:
- Failure to sit for this exam in the December after the third semester of coursework, unless granted a postponement due to extenuating circumstances
- Failure to sit for a required retake of this exam at the first opportunity
- Failure to obtain a passing grade on this exam
A student may appeal a dismissal decision by following normal appeal procedures.
Prerequisite and Core Courses
A student must have previously completed the following undergraduate courses (or the equivalents) with a grade of C or higher before beginning the required graduate course sequence:
| MA 1613 | Calculus for Business and Life Sciences I | 3 |
| EC 3113 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 3123 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ST 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
All students admitted to the program enroll in a rigorous core curriculum composed of courses in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, econometrics, research methodology, and applied skills.
Master of Arts in Economics - Thesis
| Core Courses | ||
| EC 8133 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| EC 8163 | Microeconomics I | 3 |
| EC 8173 | Macroeconomics I | 3 |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| EC XXXX | Graduate-level coursework | 15 |
| EC 8000 | Thesis Research/ Thesis in Economics | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Each M.A. student prepares a program of study with consultation from the graduate advisor and a program committee. The student may choose to take field courses from a wide variety of areas within economics.
Master of Arts in Economics - Non-Thesis
| Core Courses | ||
| EC 8133 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| EC 8163 | Microeconomics I | 3 |
| EC 8173 | Macroeconomics I | 3 |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| EC XXXX | Graduate-level coursework | 21 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Each M.A. student prepares a program of study with consultation from the graduate advisor and a program committee. The student may choose to take field courses from a wide variety of areas within economics.
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Economics
| Core Courses | ||
| EC 8163 | Microeconomics I | 3 |
| EC 8263 | Microeconomics II | 3 |
| EC 8173 | Macroeconomics I | 3 |
| EC 8133 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| EC 8143 | Econometrics II | 3 |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| EC XXXX | Graduate-level coursework | 33 |
| EC 9000 | Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Economics | 20 |
| Total Hours | 68 | |
Coursework can be completed in two and one-half years, excluding summers. All students enroll in a core curriculum composed of courses in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory and econometrics. A preliminary qualifying examination over economic theory and quantitative skills is administered after completion of the third semester courses.
Guided by his or her interests and career goals, the student may specialize in a number of areas. Specific applied fields of specialization available include public economics, labor economics, industrial organization, and development economics. A field consists of a minimum of two approved graduate course electives in one area of specialization. Although the Department of Finance and Economics and the Department of Agricultural Economics teach the approved field courses, a student may, in consultation with his or her program of study committee, include courses from related disciplines such as business, public administration, mathematics, and statistics. Prior to entering the dissertation stage, the student must pass a written comprehensive examination over the applied skills courses.
The dissertation is completed under the supervision of a major professor and an advisory committee drawn from the graduate faculty in the Departments of Finance and Economics and Agricultural Economics. Completion of the degree requires the student to present and defend the dissertation work to the satisfaction of the graduate economics faculty.
Completion Requirements
The dissertation is completed under the supervision of the student’s Graduate Committee. Completion of the degree requires students to present and defend their dissertation work to the satisfaction of the Graduate Economics Faculty.
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Finance Concentration
Economics
EC 6183 U.S. Economic History: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Completion of any 1000-level history course). Three hours lecture. An intensive study of economic change in the United States and its impact on political and social development. (Same as HI 4183/6183)
EC 6213 Personnel Economics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 2113 and EC 2123). Three hours lecture. Economic analysis of human resource issues within business organizations. Theoretical examination of hiring standards, productivity, compensation schemes, training, teamwork, incentives, benefits, worker empowerment, and evaluation
EC 6223 Labor Law and Employment Policy: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Three hours credit of economics or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Examination of the legal and regulatory environment of the employment relation- ship in today's American economy; including, unionization, equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety
EC 6303 International Economic Development: 3 hours.
(Perquisites: EC 2113 and EC 2123). Three hours lecture. An analysis of problems facing developing economies and polices designed to promote economic growth with an emphasis on income distribution, trade, agriculture, industry, and technology
EC 6323 International Economics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: EC 2113 and EC 2123).Three hours lecture. The nature of international trade.International theory. Economic analysis of the movement of goods,resources, and financial assets across national borders
EC 6423 Public Finance: 3 hours.
(Perquisites: EC 2113,EC 2123 and EC 3123). Three hours lecture. Economics of the public sector. Analysis of government’s influence on distribution, allocation, and stabilization functions. Emphasis on public goods, externalities, social insurance, and taxation
EC 6433 State and Local Finance: 3 hours.
(Perquisites: EC 2113 and EC 2123). Three hours lecture. Fiscal and economic effects of state and local budgets; alternative tax and expenditure models; fiscal administration and budgeting with emphasis on local economic development
EC 6443 Economics of Education: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 2123 or instructor consent). Three hours lecture. Examines provision of education using economic theory. Topics include research methods, education production functions, school finance, labor market outcomes, economic growth, teacher quality, school accountability, equity, and access to higher education
EC 6523 History of Economic Thought: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 2113 and EC 2123 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Survey of economic ideas from Ancient Greece to present, emphasizing the changing foci and methodologies of economics relative to economic problems perceived at the time
EC 6643 Economic Forecasting and Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 2113,EC 2123, and BQA 2113 (or equivalent) or consent of the instructor). Three hours lecture. Forecasting tools and econometric estimation techniques utilizing regression,exponential smoothing, decomposition, frontier analysis, etc. Real-world data, business applications, and model building are emphasized
EC 6990 Special Topics in Economics: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
EC 7000 Directed Individual Study in Economics: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
EC 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Economics: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
EC 8063 Foundations of Microeconomic Theory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing.) Three hours lecture. Exposition of the theoretical foundations to microeconomic theory: market process, price mechanism, exchange and production, cost and supply, non-market decision making, and the international economy
EC 8103 Economics for Managers: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Graduate Standing and FIN 3123 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Primarily for masters level candidates. Exposition of the fundamental theoretical and analytical tools of economics used by business managers engaged in decision making
EC 8113 Labor Theory and Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Theoretical and empirical examination of labor market processes and policy; Wage determination, resource allocation, labor mobility, human capital investment, discrimination and income distribution
EC 8123 8123 Mathematics for Economists: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing.) Three hours lecture. The course covers topics in linear algebra, logic and set theory, topology, real analysis, and optimization theory
EC 8133 Econometrics I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: AEC 8413 or consent of instructor). Econometric theory and methods. Topics include the classical linear regression model, maximum likelihood estimation, generalized least squares, and estimation with panel data. equations
EC 8143 Econometrics II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: EC 8133). A continuation of EC 8133. Topics include advanced theories of simultaneous equations estimation methods, time series econometrics, and estimation with qualitative and limited dependent variables
EC 8163 Microeconomics I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: EC 3123 or EC 8103 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Survey of demand analysis, production, cost, and supply relationships, analysis of pricing under competitive and noncompetitive conditions, analysis of income distribution with emphasis on input pricing
EC 8173 Macroeconomics I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 3113, EC 3123, and one semester of calculus, or consent on instructor). Three hours lecture. Synthesis of short and long run analysis of the macroeconomy with special emphasis on the role of fiscal and monetary policy
EC 8263 Microeconomics II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: EC 8163 ). Three hours lecture. An exposition of general equilibrium theory, the theory of welfare economics and the economics of information
EC 8273 Macroeconomics II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 8173 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Examination of the modern macroeconomic synthesis. Studies in dynamic economic growth, rational expectations, monetarism, disequilibrium analysis, and open market economies
EC 8313 Regional Economic Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisities:EC 4313/6313 and EC 8133 or equivalent or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Theories and tools. Includes economic base, recursive and simultaneous equation econometric models, input-output analysis, and mixed models
EC 8403 Game Theory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: AEC 8163 or EC 8163 or consent of instructor).Three hours lecture. An exploration of how agencies interact strategically. (Same as AEC 8403)
EC 8643 Applied Economic Skills: Advanced Estimation and Diagnostics of Econometric Models: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EC 8133 and EC 8143 or consent of the instructor). Advanced econometric tools, diagnostics, and estimation techniques with an emphasis on applied economic model building. Application of econometric theory to real- world problems and issues
EC 8990 Special Topics in Economics: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
EC 9000 Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Economics: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
Finance
FIN 6111 TVA Panel I: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: ACC 2013 or equivalent, junior/graduate standing, and consent of instructor). (1). One hour lecture. Experience analyzing and selecting stocks for the Tennessee Valley Authority's asset decommissioning trust portfolio. Section open through invitation only
FIN 6112 TVA Panel II: 2 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 4111/6111, junior/graduate standing, and consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Experience selecting and analyzing portfolio strategies for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Investment Challenge. Section open through invitation only
FIN 6123 Financial and Commodities Futures Marketing: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Junior standing). Three hours lecture. Discussion of the purpose, function mechanics, analysis and application of financial and commodity futures markets in pricing and hedging opportunities (Same as AEC 4123/6123)
FIN 6323 Entrepreneurial Finance: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in FIN 3123 or IE 3913). Three hours lecture. Development, implementation, and control of financial plans, strategies, and policies by owner-managers of small and medium-sized firms; analysis of alternatives and decision making
FIN 6743 Consumer Finance: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in FIN 3123; prerequisite or co-requisite FIN 3723). Three hours lecture. Supply and demand for consumer credit products, their role in the lending landscape, economic impact of the consumer finance industry, its workings, and its regulation
FIN 6923 International Financial Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 3123 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. A study of the theory and actual behavior of international financial management,foreign financial markets, exchange rate risk management, and foreign direct investments
FIN 6990 Special Topics in Finance: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
FIN 7000 Directed Individual Study in Finance: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
FIN 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Finance: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
FIN 8113 Corporate Finance: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and FIN 3123 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. An examination of the interaction between financial accounting, cash flow estimation, capital budgeting, risk and return, capital structure, and working capital management
FIN 8733 Financial Markets, Rates and Flows: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: FIN 8112 and FIN 8122 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. An analysis of money and capital market instruments; a study of interest rates and financial flows; the effect of public policy on credit conditions
FIN 8990 Special Topics in Finance: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
FIN 9000 Dissertation Research /Dissertation in Finance: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
FIN 9213 Advanced Financial Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 8113 or the equivalent). Three hours lecture. A study of the theory and application of valuation, risk return analysis, capital budgeting decisions, and capital structure. Analysis of how these decisions affect firm value
FIN 9223 Seminar in Corporate Financial Theory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 8113 or the equivalent). Three hours seminar. Analyses of financial management cases involving working capital, financial analyses, valuation concepts, risk and return, capital budgeting, cost of capital, and financial planning
FIN 9233 Seminar in Corporate Finance: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 8113 or the equivalent.) Doctoral seminar. Analysis and discussion of the literature dealing with topics in corporate finance. Also, students prepare and present research projects
FIN 9423 Investment and Portfolio Theory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Fin 8113 or the equivalent). Three hours lecture. The application of contemporary investment theory for decision-making purposes in portfolio management, and the formulation of portfolio policies for different types of investors
FIN 9433 Seminar in Portfolio Theory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 8423 or equivalent). Doctoral seminar. Analysis and discussion of the literature dealing with topics in portfolio theory and management. Also students prepare and present research projects. mean-variance concept, option pricing and arbitrage pricing
FIN 9733 Seminar in Financial Markets and Institutions: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FIN 8733 or the equivalent.) Doctoral seminar. Analysis and discussion of the literature dealing with topics in financial markets and institutions. Students prepare and present research projects
Insurance
INS 6503 Enterprise Risk Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: INS 3103 ). Three hours lecture. A study of the principles, concepts and techniques to manage pure risk exposures which organizations face while pursuing their objectives
INS 6990 Special Topics in Risk Management and Insurance: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
INS 7000 Directed Individual Study in Insurance, Risk Management, and Financial Planning: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
INS 8113 Insurance Education: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. Examination of insurance principles for high school teachers. Coverage will include a broad array of related topics to help prepare teachers for the classroom
INS 8990 Special Topics in Risk Management and Insurance: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
International Business
IB 6103 International Business: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing in business or consent of instructor.) An overview of the major forms of international business: Exports and imports, overseas investments, production and marketing operations, licensing, financing and other international business services
IB 6990 Special Topics in International Business: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
IB 7000 Directed Individual Study in International Business: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
IB 8990 Special Topics in International Business: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
Real Estate Finance
REF 6333 Real Estate Law: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: BL 2413 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. The legal principles applicable to real estate, including types of ownership and interests, mortgages, restrictions, and regulations. (Same as BL 4333/6333)
REF 6990 Special Topics in Real Estate Finance: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
REF 7000 Directed Individual Study in Real Estate Finance: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged with Instructor