Department of Economics
| Professors Emeriti |
Sophia Aguirre; Ernest Zampelli |
| Associate Professor |
Richard Gallenstein; Gianfranco Piras |
| Associate Clinical Professor |
Martha Cruz, Chair |
| Lecturers |
Celeste Torio Celis; Benjamin Allen; Eugenio Diaz-Bonilla; Guillermo Rivero Figueroa; Sonia M. Runde; Behdad Nowroozi; Luanne Zurlo; Helga Treichel; Olga Uritskava; Meaza Demissie; Christian Domaas, Ismael Arciniegas. |
The Department of Economics takes a holistic approach to the study of economics in a global setting. Through research and rigorous engagement of economic theory and empirical analysis, it seeks to contribute to the advancement of economic science, of economic policies, and of economic development.
The Department of Economics offers two Master’s programs in international development:
Integral Economic Development Management (IEDM), 1-year full time (part-time students accepted).
Integral Economic Development Policy (IEDP), 2-year full time.
The Department also offers a 5-year option (Bachelor/Master’s) for CUA students.
Integral economic development is an approach that seeks to strengthen the civil and social institutions required for sustainable development, one that takes an integrated view of the person's role in society. It is an approach that development entities increasingly demand. Integral economic development, seen from the perspective of the whole human person and the whole human community, is at the core of our programs and the mission of The Catholic University of America.
Applying for Admission
Prospective students may apply online. In addition to the completed application form and fee, graduate applications should include GRE/GMAT scores, official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher learning, a statement of purpose detailing motivation and plans for pursuing graduate study, and three letters of recommendation. International applicants who have not pursued a previous higher education degree in an English-speaking country also need to submit English examination scores (TOEFL or IELTS Exam). The programs accept applications for fall, spring and summer semesters. The deadline for funding consideration is February 1; applicants seeking funding should ensure that all their application materials have been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by that date. For any questions on the application process or to request further information, see contact information.
A summary of each program is presented below. More information is available at the section of graduate programs at the department website.
Program in Integral Economic Development Management
The Department of Economics at the School of Arts and Sciences offers a degree of Master of Arts in Integral Economic Development Management (IEDM), the first to create and implement an integrated perspective to measure and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of development programs, while taking into account the social dimension of every person.
Students graduating from the program will have developed: 1) an understanding of the role that cultures and institutions play in the development process, 2) the management skills necessary to design, implement, manage, and evaluate development programs that will achieve integral economic development and build strong institutions (families, communities, etc.) capable of supporting successful development initiatives, and 3) an integrated perspective on economic development — one that takes into account the dignity of the human person, the good of the family, and the good of the community as foundational principles of economic development.
The program is designed to help students who wish to work at private or public organizations in economic development at national or international level. It will provide them with the management skills necessary to build and support strong institutions, but also focus on the context of social development.
Undergraduate Requirements
Introduction to Macroeconomics (ECON 101)
Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON 102)
Statistics (ECON 223)
Coursework
| Required courses (36 credits) |
| Core Courses (20 credits) |
IEDM 501 Accounting and Finance Concepts and Applications
IEDM 543 Applied Econometrics
IEDM 510 Foundations of an Ethical Integral Social and Economic Development
IEDM 540 Integral Economic Development
IEDM 562 Survey Design
IEDM 546 Neuroeconomics
IEDM 547 Computer Lab |
| Aspects of Integral Development (6 credits; choose two electives) |
IEDM 520 The Politics of Development Policy
IEDM 521 Global Agriculture and Food Security
IEDM 522 Development of Energy and Environment
IEDM 523 Global Educations and Community Development Policies
IEDM 524 Global Health |
| Management of Development Concentrations (6 credits) |
The student will be required to choose between the public or private concentration courses |
| Public Sector |
IEDM 551 Public Financial Management
IEDM 552 International Organizations and Development |
| Private Sector |
IEDM 561 Managing Not-for-Profits
IEDM 550 Program Management |
| Project (3 credits) |
IEDM 697A – Project Guidance (1)
IEDM 697B – Project Guidance (2) |
| Writing (1 credit) |
IEDM 502 – Grant Research and Writing for International Development |
Additional Requirements: Leaders in Development Seminar
This requirement is obtained by the successful completion of the IEDM 530 and IEDM 531 Leaders in Development Seminar.
Career Placement Readiness Workshop
This non-credit course will prepare students to seek professional employment in the areas of Integral Economic Development. Offered to students for two semesters in the program.
Second Language Proficiency
Students must prove proficiency in a second language. It is obtained by the successful completion of a language proficiency examination approved by The Catholic University of America or an equivalent examination that has been approved by the department, or, by documenting studies performed in another language.
Applied Research Project
(Serving as Comprehensive Examination - Please see guidelines)
While working on their Applied Research Projects, students must be enrolled in IEDM 697A (1 credit) or IEDM 697B (2 credits). Permission to present the Applied Research Project requires registration for IEDM 698 - Comprehensive Examination. Students are required to present an Applied Research Project based on a proposal previously approved by a faculty committee. Students who fail must retake the examination in a subsequent term. Candidates who fail the examination three times are no longer eligible to receive a Master's degree.
The requirements for the IEDM Applied Research Project indicate the minimum number of credits required for completion of degree requirements, but students may take IEDM 697A (Project Guidance, 1 credit) and IEDM 697B (Project Guidance, 2 credits) as needed to accrue additional credits if they need additional time to complete their project. IEDM 697A and IEDM 697B are graded on a Pass/Fail basis and do not count towards GPA.
Good Standing
Students are required to maintain a minimum average GPA of 3.0 per semester. Students who fall short of this minimum will receive a warning letter; students who fail to reach the minimum GPA in two consecutive semesters may be dismissed from the program unless extenuating circumstances are documented.
Program in Integral Economic Development Policy
The Department of Economics at the School of Arts and Sciences offers a degree in Master of Arts in Integral Economic Development Policy (IEDP). The IEDP program innovatively teaches graduates the real-world skills so needed today in effective policy design and quantitative policy evaluation within an integral framework and perspective towards development.
Students graduating from the program will have developed: 1) an integrated perspective on economic development that takes into account the dignity of the human person, the good of the family, and the good of the community as foundational principles of economic development, 2) Advanced and unique techniques that fully capture the impact of development initiatives, and 3) Technical training in economic and managerial knowledge and skills needed to work at policy and implementation levels.
This program is deeply rooted in the need to accomplish sustainable development through an approach that seeks to strengthen civil and social institutions, while maintaining an integral view of the person in society. Consequently, the focus is on the economic agent’s decision-making process, acknowledging him/her holistically, in his/her social dimension. Graduates work in many areas of international development in the United States or abroad.
Undergraduate Requirements
Introduction to Macroeconomics (ECON 101)
Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON 102)
Statistics (ECON 223)
Coursework
| Required courses (55 credits) |
| Core Courses (29 credits) |
IEDP 501 Accounting Concepts and Managerial Applications
IEDP 510 Foundations of an Ethical Integral Social and Economic Development
IEDP 540 Integral Economic Development
IEDP 543 Applied Econometrics
IEDP 544 Applied Econometrics II
IEDP 546 Neuroeconomics
IEDP 562 Survey Design
IEDP 571 Advanced Macroeconomics
IEDP 572 Advanced Microeconomics
IEDP 547 Computer Lab |
| Aspects of Integral Development (6 credits; choose two electives) |
IEDP 520 The Politics of Development Policy
IEDP 521 Global Agriculture and Health
IEDP 522 Development Aspects of Energy Development and Environment
IEDP 523 Global Educations and Community Development and Environment
IEDM 524: Global Health |
| Policy and Management of Development (9 credits) |
IEDP 525 Public Policy
IEDP 553 Public Finance
IEDP 552 International Organizations and Development |
| Electives (6 credits; choose two courses) |
IEDP 527 Epidemiology and Public Policy
IEDP 555 Infrastructure Planning and Policy
IEDP 556 Business Enterprise and Development
IEDP 550 Program Management
IEDP 551 Public Financial Management
IEDP 554 Infrastructure for development |
| Project (4 credits) |
IEDP 697A – Project Guidance (1)
IEDP 697B – Project Guidance (2) |
| Writing (1 credit) |
IEDP 502 – Grant Research and Writing for International Development |
Additional Requirements: Leaders in Development Seminar
This requirement is obtained by the successful completion of the IEDP 530 and IEDP 531 Leaders in Development Seminar.
Career Placement Readiness Workshop
This non-credit course will prepare students to seek professional employment in the areas of Integral Economic Development. It is offered to students for two semesters in their last year in the program.
Second Language Proficiency
Students must prove proficiency in a second language. It is obtained by the successful completion of a language proficiency examination approved by The Catholic University of America or an equivalent examination that has been approved by the department, or, by documenting studies performed in another language.
Applied Research Project
(Serving as Comprehensive Examination - Please see guidelines)
While working on their Applied Research Projects, students must be enrolled in IEDP 697A (1 credit) or IEDM 697B (2 credits). Permission to present the Applied Research Project requires registration for IEDP 698 – Comprehensive examination. Students are required to present an Applied Research Project based on a proposal previously approved by a faculty committee. Students who fail must retake the examination in a subsequent term. Candidates who fail the examination three times are no longer eligible to receive a Master's degree.
The requirements for the IEDP Applied Research Project indicate the minimum number of credits required for completion of degree requirements, but students may take IEDP 697A (Project Guidance, 1 credit) and IEDP 697B (Project Guidance, 2 credits) as needed to accrue additional credits if they need additional time to complete their project. IEDP 697A and IEDP 697B are graded on a Pass/Fail basis and do not count towards GPA.
Good Standing
Students are required to maintain a minimum average GPA of 3.0 per semester. Students who fall short of this minimum will receive a warning letter; students who fail to reach the minimum GPA in two consecutive semesters may be dismissed from the program unless extenuating circumstances are documented.