M.S./M.A. Mathematics

[SeanNY]

What does everyone think of getting a Master's in Math?

I was thinking that after I finish my B.S. in Economics, I could possibly get a M.S. or M.A. in Math before an Econ PhD. Partly to improve my mathematics performance and for admissions purposes. It would also help to compensate for a moderately low undergrad GPA (~3.6). Opinions?

[Paussy]

Yes that would be a good decision, since PhD in Econ adcoms are increasingly preferring econmath backgrounds over just econ,, however
you would need to ensure to make a decent GPA in your math master program which isn´t as easy provided you will be taking grad math courses which are rigorous, though is possible.

[tangsiuje]

I always thought master's degrees in maths were for people with a bachelor's degree in maths (or a related discipline, e.g., statistics) rather than in economics.

Unless you are considering a very lowly ranked program (which I doubt would help much anyway), meeting the admission requirements for a master's degree in mathematics probably implies meeting the admissions requirements for an economics PhD program.

[SeanNY]

Well, like I said, I partially want to do the Math Master's for my own personal purpose. However, I am wondering how Ph.D Economics programs will look at the Math degree?

[ImProcrastinating]

I think it depends on a few things. If your undergrad math record is poor, and while getting the MA you do well in reasonably important classes like measure theory, it should help your application. However if you do about the same as you did in undergrad, or take pretty useless courses like abstract algebra, I think the value added will be minimal.

[econyun]

of course, more mathematics are always preferred
however, it might come to a question of how much the marginal benefit is..and whether it is worthy doing so

[SeanNY]

In the end, I may end up applying to some of my desired Ph.Ds and some top Mathematics programs with terminal MA/MS programs (NYU, Yale, Berkeley). That way, if I am not happy with the Ph.D acceptances, I always have that secondary path, or could choose to pursue it if I think I really want to as well.

[asianeconomist]

I guess a member of TM (kartelite) did a Master in Math. You might wanna refer to her for precise advise.

[Bargalhao]

I agree with tangsiuje.

I do not see how one can be accepted for a Master´s in Math when one does not meet the prerequisites for a PhD in Econ, which are lower in terms of Math (Master´s in Math presuppose you have some knowledge of Algebra, Topology, Geometry, Analysis, and at least an undergrad course in Measure theory or equivalent, whereas a PhD in Econ requires as a minimum some terms of Calculus and Linear Algebra, and many of the courses i mentioned before in Math are useless in econ.)

Of course there are many different Masters but i can´t imagine how one could do in a program with such prerequisites with a BsC in Econ.

[paradox3696]

Originally Posted by SeanNY

What does everyone think of getting a Master's in Math?

I was thinking that after I finish my B.S. in Economics, I could possibly get a M.S. or M.A. in Math before an Econ PhD. Partly to improve my mathematics performance and for admissions purposes. It would also help to compensate for a moderately low undergrad GPA (~3.6). Opinions?

Unless you are having a solid foundation in math during your undergraduate econ degree, you will be struggling in the graduate program in math. Not that I think you will fail, you probably need to take few math pre-requisite courses (pure math if u will) and I would suggest you go for MA/Phd in econ if your ultimate goal is to get a Phd in econ.