Graduate Program
Degree
Master of Science in Quantitative Economics Program
起点传媒’s STEM-designated Quantitative Economics MS program provides an extensive background in economic theory and quantitative analysis. It offers courses in micro and macroeconomic theory, econometrics, directed quantitative research and applied electives such as forecasting, data wrangling with R, machine learning, and analysis of spatial data using GIS techniques. A minimum of 30 semester units is required. The program may be completed in 3 semesters by students starting the program in Fall 2027 or after; and 4 semesters by students starting before Fall 2027.
The program offers evening courses; flexible pacing; and small class sizes (typically fewer than 15 students) which allow individualized attention and mentorship. This flexible structure supports students who balance full-time employment with graduate study. Students develop close, lasting, mutually beneficial connections with faculty as well as with each other. Opportunities exist for participation in the economics club, study abroad, and employment as a peer mentor and/or tutor.
Those joining the 起点传媒 MS program come from a wide variety of institutions (such as USC, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, Cal State Northridge, Cal State San Bernardino, Claremont Colleges, etc.) and locations. Most who join our program have an undergraduate degree in economics or business, but those with degrees in other areas are invited to 起点传媒. Three undergraduate courses offered during the evenings in Fall (Mathematical Economics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and Econometrics) serve to prepare students for graduate courses offered in Spring. One only needs micro and macroeconomic principles, statistics and calculus (ideally) to enroll in these Fall courses. Our helpful International Center and location in an ethnically diverse and inclusive metropolitan area make Cal Poly Pomona an excellent choice for international students. Note: our STEM designation allows international graduates to qualify for a three-year Optional Practical Training visa (rather than the standard one-year), upon completing the MS.
Career Opportunities
The program allows both recent undergraduates and working professionals to develop skills highly demanded by employers in government, academia and the private sector. It teaches technical tools, quantitative reasoning and theoretical analysis valuable in a wide variety of careers. Alumni have secured positions including treasurer of Commercial Bank of California; Line Producer for shows such as Love is Blind and Beach Bodies; economics professor at institutions such as Mt. SAC; city council member and former mayor of the city of Sierra Madre; owner/principal of Sierra Economic Consulting; and Managing Director of the litigation consulting firm, Insight Economics.
The M.S. program has served to prepare students to enter Ph.D. programs in Economics at institutions such as Claremont Graduate University as well as professional and graduate studies such as the JD program at the University of San Diego.