100% Online Master of Arts in Economics

Analyze Global Trends to Find the Best Growth Opportunities

Located in Virginia. Serving the World.

Prepare to enhance your career with a unique skill set to address pressing domestic and global issues. The flexible online Master of Arts in Economics from George Mason University offers you an environment to gain advanced economic expertise in courses designed by internationally renowned faculty.

Mason’s unique approach to economic theory fuses scholarship in the fields of public choice (founded by Nobel Laureate and former Mason professor, the late James Buchanan), Austrian economics, and experimental economics (founded by Nobel Laureate and Mason professor emeritus Vernon Smith).

Pursue your MA in Economics in a format that accommodates your busy schedule, with options to join us full time or part time. And you can graduate faster, in as few as 18 months, depending on course load and approved transfer credits.

Discover the rich online learning experiences available exclusively from Virginia’s largest research university. Plus, capitalize on the proven career and advancement achieved by graduates of Mason’s online programs.

Best Value Colleges For Economics1

No. 34 Best Economics Master’s Programs2

No. 74 Best Economic Schools3

Top University for Non-Traditional Students4

Download a FREE Program Brochure

The brochure includes program details, course information, and more. Get your copy and connect with an admissions representative by completing the following form.

Note: All fields required.

Economics Courses Designed to Maximize Your ROI

Mason’s renowned faculty take a practical approach to economics education. You’ll gain foundational knowledge for conducting economic analyses that account for the connectivity of the business, political, and legal sectors. We ensure you get the most out of your education, having been recognized as a best value college for economics1 and in the top 10 best online colleges for ROI in the master’s degree category.5

You’ll complete 10 online courses to accrue 30 credit hours, getting to select electives in areas that match your career goals. The core and elective courses include:

Market Process Theory

This course introduces the main theories and insights of the Austrian school of economics with an emphasis on their relevance for analyzing a variety of “real-world” issues.

Economics Capstone

Conduct a research project that draws from the core theory and quantitative methods expertise gained through this program.

Public Economics

The course examines the foundations of welfare economics, including market failures and types of public expenditures, as well as the foundations and applications of public choice economics.

Experimental Economics

Delve into design and analysis strategies for experimental economics, including the science of economic exchange.

Rigorous Academic Standards. Flexible Online Format.


At Mason, we curate online programs that offer innovative experiences to further your ambitions in a way that works with your schedule. Like our on-campus students, you’ll benefit from our commitment to academic rigor and integrity while learning from the same renowned faculty.

We’ve been recognized as a top university for non-traditional learners, and our commitment to your success goes beyond graduation. After you’ve earned your degree, you’ll maintain lifetime access to our career services.

Start a Positive Trend for Your Economics Career

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for economists will increase by 6% from 2022 to 2032, adding positions with a median salary that may exceed $113,940 per year.6 Gain skills through Mason’s online MA in Economics program to help you become competitive in the field – plus, access a range of professional opportunities after graduation through lifetime access to Mason Career Services.

8 Rewarding Roles for Mason’s Economics Graduates

  • Actuary
  • Economic Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Legislative Correspondent
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Policy Analyst
  • Research Scientist
  • Statistician

A World-Class Education Within Reach

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. We welcome students from all walks of life, and we’ve designed our programs with that in mind. Our modern curriculum, responsive faculty, and innovative solutions combine to produce a six-year graduation rate that exceeds the national average, with no disparity based on ethnicity or economic status. We’re proud to be continuously recognized – and ranked – for offering an education that is affordable, accessible, and valuable.

“The program was well-organized, with easy-to-follow assignments and projects throughout the program. As someone more quantitatively oriented, I really enjoyed the Econometrics and Causal Inference classes, with both coming in handy in our capstone project. These skills have carried over to my career as an institutional investor, as I have a better understanding of the applied statistics utilized by quantitative hedge funds and the arguments presented by macro hedge funds.

“The program also had an unintended benefit in that I’ve become a better writer and better presenter when I’m looking to make an argument. This shows the most when trying to convince my colleagues to move forward or terminate a money manager. Lastly, although not specifically covered, the program reopened my eyes to other areas of economics that I’m extremely interested in, including risk-taking, behavioral economics, neuroeconomics, and game theory.”

—Michael Ijeh

Download a FREE Program Brochure

Sources:

  1. Payscale. Best Value Colleges for Economics. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://www.payscale.com/.
  2. TFE Times. 2023 Best Master’s of Economics Programs. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://tfetimes.com/.
  3. U.S. News and World Report. George Mason University Rankings. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/.
  4. College Factual. George Mason University: Rankings. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.collegefactual.com/.
  5. OnlineU. Best Online Master’s Programs: Online Master’s Degrees with the Highest Return on Investment. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.onlineu.com/.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economists. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.