If you are seeking a versatile, high-paying, and rewarding career path, CSUF’s economics graduate program is a great option. Economists are in high demand in both academia and industry, where they interpret trends and provide guidance to help institutions, companies, and individuals prepare and adapt.  A master’s degree in economics can serve two primary purposes: as a steppingstone toward a doctorate and a career in teaching or research, or as a qualification for roles in industry, where economic principles are applied to solve real-world challenges.

Graduates of Cal State Fullerton’s master’s in economics program excel in their careers. “Undergrads who complete the M.A. in economics experience an average annual increase of 20% in their wage income upon graduation,” says Pedro Amaral, professor of economics. “Coupled with the low cost of our program, this means that the M.A. in economics pays for itself within six to 12 months. How is that for a rate of return?”  

“The Cal State Fullerton M.A. in economics provides graduates with broad analytical skills that are impactful across diverse fields ranging from banking to finance to consulting to public policy,” says Amaral. “This flexible degree has the advantage of not locking you into a career before you are ready to choose one.”  

The 30-33-unit MA in economics is a STEM-designed program designed to help students apply economic theory and econometric models to generate testable hypotheses with practical relevance. In addition to required coursework in econometrics and macro- and microeconomics, students can choose from a wide array of electives, ranging from international economics to monetary and fiscal policy to public policy. This flexibility allows students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.  

Cal State Fullerton also hosts annual economics events, such as the fall and spring economic forecast conferences, which provide students with opportunities to network with academic and professional leaders in their discipline. Graduate students can even contribute to the collection and presentation of applied research at these events.  

Parth Bhatt ’09,’11 earned both his undergraduate degree in economics and master’s degree in economics at Cal State Fullerton. Today, he is chief deputy treasurer for the County of San Bernardino and an adjunct professor at UC San Diego. He credits his master’s in economics with significantly benefiting his professional and teaching careers.

“My degree has allowed me to not only form effective cause and effect hypothesis but to quantitatively test them. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the program are equally important for what I do. For my day job, where I manage a large institutional fixed income portfolio, the understanding economics plays a crucial role. Deciphering the implications of monetary and fiscal policy changes are extremely important. The master’s program allowed me to focus on finance research using the tools of econometrics which today are invaluable to me,” he says.  

From the standpoint of academics, Bhatt recognizes the MA in economics program has been invaluable in preparing him to mentor and lead others. “As a professor I blend economics and finance without realizing that I am doing it,” he says. “I teach a session on monetary policy and its effects on interest rates and how that impacts a fixed income portfolio. Students are asked to watch a Fed meeting and then correlate the effect of the meeting on interest rates and their hypothetical fixed income portfolios. Economics is one of the best subjects anyone can major in because the knowledge you gain can be applied to many domains. It teaches you to think probabilistically, in terms of expected value. It will make you a more effective analyst and allow you to devise more effective solutions to problems.” 

If you are ready to advance your education and career, the M.A. in economics at CSUF could be the perfect fit. Whether you aim for a prestigious doctoral program or a dynamic industry role, this degree offers the tools and opportunities to succeed. For more information, visit our Graduate Programs website. Or apply today for fall 2025 admission.