4+1 Accelerated Program combined
bachelor’s + master’s
The Department of Economics and Department of Finance offer an accelerated 5-year Bachelor’s/MA program for qualified University of Tennessee-Knoxville students. Students first obtain a BA degree in Economics through the College of Arts and Sciences, a BSBA in Economics through the Haslam College of Business, or a BSBA in Finance through the Haslam College of Business.
4+1 Accelerated Program Benefits
Save time
Students take up to 9 credits their senior year that count towards both their bachelor’s degree in economics or finance and the MA in Economics. Completing the MA requires only two additional semesters!
Avoid stress
We screen applicants as undergraduates, and there is a guaranteed path to graduate program acceptance. Students do not need to take the GRE or GMAT, nor do they need letters of recommendation.
Lower costs
The accelerated timeline will save you money.
A high return on your investment
Average starting salaries are about $20k higher for those with a master’s versus a bachelor’s degree in economics or finance.
4+1 Accelerated Program Admissions
4+1 Accelerated Program
Provisional admission process
Students pursuing the 4+1 program go through a two-step admission process. The first step requires approval by the student’s home department. The Department of Economics and Department of Finance offer an accelerated 5-year Bachelor’s/MA program for qualified University of Tennessee-Knoxville students.
Minimum requirements for provisional admission
- 3.3 cumulative GPA
- Declared major in economics or finance
- At least 64 credit hours of required coursework towards the undergraduate major.
- While not required, applicants are encouraged to have taken ECON 311, 313, and 381 prior to applying.
Other admission criteria
- Overall and major GPA
- Prior coursework in economics, mathematics, statistics, and other quantitative fields.
- Extracurricular activities
- Work experience
4+1 Accelerated Program
How To Apply
Students complete an application for the combined accelerated program. As part of the application, students are asked to upload a resume and an (unofficial) academic transcript. While no reference letters are needed, students are asked to provide contact information for one faculty member who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications.
For the foreseeable future, applications will be considered on rolling basis, and students will be considered for provisional admission subject to capacity constraints.
4+1 Accelerated Program
Admission Requirements for the MA in Economics Program
While those granted provisional admission are not automatically approved for the graduate program, we have developed a set of requirements that, if met, guarantee admission to the program. All graduate program applicants are further required to meet Graduate School admissions requirements.
The MA program requires students to select between two concentrations: Applied Economic Analysis, and Financial Economics. Economics and Finance majors are welcome to select either concentration. The admissions criteria depend on the chosen concentration, and are therefore separated below.
It is possible for students to be admitted via other pathways, and students are encouraged to discuss alternatives with the MA program director.
4+1 Accelerated Program
Applied Economic Analysis
- Economic theory: ECON 311 and ECON 313
- Data analysis: ECON 381; and ECON 300 (Data Science for Economists), BAS 474, ECON 474, or ECON 481
- Mathematical methods: MATH 141 and MATH 142; or ECON 482
- Grades of “B” or better in all coursework used to fulfill the theory, data analysis, and mathematical methods requirements.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3.
4+1 Accelerated Program
Financial Economics
- Economic theory: ECON 311 and ECON 313
- Data analysis: ECON 381
- Mathematical methods: MATH 141 and MATH 142; or ECON 482
- Finance: FINC 306, FINC 420, and FINC 425
- Grades of “B” or better in all coursework used to fulfill the theory, data analysis, and mathematical methods requirements.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3.
4+1 Accelerated Program example degree paths
Regardless of their preferred option, finance majors are encouraged to pursue the “collateral option” with a collateral in economics. Economics majors in the Haslam College of Business, with interests in the Financial Economics concentration, are encouraged to pursue the “collateral option” with a collateral in finance. Those pursuing the Applied Economic Analysis concentration are eligible for a Statistics minor if they select one additional Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Program (IGSDSP) course as one of their electives.
Applied Economics Analysis
Bachelor’s program: Senior Year, Fall
Approved 400-level ECON elective*
3 hours
Bachelor’s program: Senior Year, Spring
ECON 482 – Intro to Math Econ*
3 hours
ECON 474 – Applied Economic Analysis*
3 hours
MA program: Fall semester
ECON 521 – Applied Microeconomic Theory
3 hours
ECON 581 – Mathematical Economics
3 hours
ECON 582 – Econometrics I
3 hours
Electives
3 hours
MA program: Spring semester
ECON 523 – Applied Macroeconomic Theory
3 hours
ECON 583 – Econometrics II
3 hours
Electives
3 hours
*These 400-level courses appear in the Graduate Catalog and are taken for graduate credit.
Financial Economics
Bachelor’s program: Senior Year, Fall
Approved 400-level FINC elective(S)**
3-6 hours
Bachelor’s program: Senior Year, Spring
ECON 482 – Intro to Mathematical Economics*
3 hours
Approved 400-level FINC elective(s)**
3-6 hours
MA program: Fall semester
ECON 521 – Applied Microeconomic Theory
3 hours
ECON 581 – Mathematical Economics
3 hours
ECON 582 – Econometrics I
3 hours
FINC 525 – Investment Analysis
3 hours
MA program: Spring semester
ECON 523 – Applied Macroeconomic Theory
3 hours
ECON 583 – Econometrics II
3 hours
FINC 555 – Financial Management
3 hours
*While students can fulfill the mathematics pre-requisite by completing a year of calculus, all students are strongly encouraged to take this course. This course does not count towards graduate degree requirements.
**These 400-level courses appear in the Graduate Catalog and are taken for graduate credit.
Need More Information?
Undergraduate Economics majors, please contact:
Undergraduate Finance majors, please contact: