For aspiring economists seeking academic roles, the M.A. in Economics is a versatile, affordable and attainable path to doctoral programs, which for some of our alumni have led to professorial roles. Leveraging the connections and support of our professors, several alumni have pursued high-end doctoral degrees. One such graduate is Nima Nikopour ’23, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics from Emory University.
“Doctoral student life is undeniably rigorous, but it is incredibly rewarding to study the subjects I am passionate about at the highest level under experts in the field,” says Nikopour. “What makes the long hours sustainable is the perspective that every second of effort, while difficult, is a direct investment in my own skillset, which is a rare professional privilege.”
Upon completing his degree at Emory, Nikopour hopes to become a professor specializing in macroeconomics and econometrics, with a focus on developing and applying machine learning methods in these fields.
The M.A. in Economics: A Bridge Between Undergraduate Studies and the Ph.D.
At Cal State Fullerton, Nikopour taught ECON 201 – Principles of Microeconomics as a lecturer, which solidified his doctoral goals. He found this teaching responsibility stimulating and stretching. For Nikopour, teaching economics coursework at CSUF gave him the expertise to articulate the logic behind the models. He found the design of the course syllabus to be an exercise in modeling in and of itself, because it involved structurally organizing complexity.
“This process of organizing complex ideas into a coherent structure allowed me to master the fundamentals in a very enjoyable way,” he says.
Other highlights of Nikopour’s CSUF days were the mentorship he received during his thesis and doctoral application process. He also served as chair of the board of directors of the Titan Student Centers (TSC) Board of Trustees, which was then a part of Associated Students Inc. (ASI). This experience provided Nikopour with perspectives on university governance and campus community.
Nikopour also received the Formuzis Hunt Lanning (FHL) Outstanding Graduate Research Award from the Department of Economics for his thesis. This award was funded by Peter Formuzis, an emeritus professor of CSUF Economics.
The M.A. in Economics is an invaluable bridge between undergrad life and professorial roles, with sufficient academic rigor to prepare for Ph.D. programs. “The combination of coursework and real research experience, through my thesis and graduate assistantship, gave me a technical foundation that went far beyond my undergraduate training,” says Nikopour.
Machine learning is the future of economics, and Nikopour points to courses such as ECON 542 – Machine Learning for Economists as creating an advantage for the tech-focused future. This emphasis is maintained through the college’s alumni and professional network, which provides advice and support for an AI- and machine learning-focused curriculum.
Learn More About CSUF’s M.A. in Economics Program
Nikopour’s path reflects the range of opportunities available to M.A. in Economics graduates. From academic careers to roles interpreting economics in the public and private sectors, the program provides a strong introduction to the field, with a focus on emerging technology trends and the expertise of world-class faculty. For more information, read more of our articles on the M.A. in Economics.
