ECON Brochure

The Department of Economics is one of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ 10 interdisciplinary departments and programs, all committed to

DEPARTMENT OF

Economics

investigating and improving the human condition. www.bsos.umd.edu AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES BE EMPOWERED ANTHROPOLOGY BE CULTURAL CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE BE JUST ECONOMICS BE EFFICIENT GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES BE GLOBAL GOVERNMENT & POLITICS BE CIVIL HEARING & SPEECH SCIENCES BE HEARD JOINT PROGRAM IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY BE COUNTED PSYCHOLOGY BE UNDERSTOOD SOCIOLOGY BE SOCIAL

Economics at Maryland

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At the University of Maryland’s Department of Economics, we are discovering new knowledge about how people make choices and about how public policy affects economic behavior at the micro and macro levels. Our focus is on applied economics, from testing whether economic theories work in the real

B E EF F I C I EN T

world to assessing the impact of government programs on the economy. We are inspiring Maryland pride through the Maryland Center for Economics and Policy, which shares our faculty’s innovative research with the public, and by convening forums featuring thought leaders in economics and policy.

Working with organizations including the Census Bureau and the World Bank, our instructors are transforming the student experience by including students in exciting research projects. They are examining the effect of house prices on fertility decisions, the impact of foreign aid on developing countries and how Europe’s sovereign debt crisis has affected business investment. Our faculty members turn imagination into innovation through government appointments and advisory positions that shape economic policy.

3114 TYDINGS HALL 7343 PREINKERT DR. COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742 WWW.ECON.UMD.EDU P 301.405.3266 / F 301.405.3542

Research that Shapes Policy

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From serving as economic advisers to the president to developing policies that incentivize savings behavior, researchers in the Department of Economics are committed to finding real-world solutions to social problems. Our faculty, students, partners and alumni focus their work in five main areas: »» Development, Labor & Public Economics

“The advisors and faculty are very approachable. My future work will be dedicated to helping others find ways out of poverty.”

Faculty Research Highlights

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BORAGAN ARUOBA develops accurate and easy-to-use tools to help the Federal Reserve and other central banks around the world to better track their economies. His research led to the

NISHKA BATRA, ECON ’16 Founding Member, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity; Recipient, Melanie E. (Lee) Easley Memorial Scholarship

development of three tools that are now produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia:

»» Macroeconomics & International Economics

Aruoba-Diebold-Scotti Business Conditions Index,

»» Microeconomic Theory, Behavioral Economics, Industrial Organization

GDPplus and Aruoba Term Structure of Inflation Expectations.

»» Econometrics »» Economic History, Institutions & Political Economy

go.umd.edu/ECONResearch THROUGH OUR WORK, WE INFORM SOUND

economic practices and policies.

Academic Offerings

Innovative Centers & Projects

MELISSA S. KEARNEY answers real-world

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questions with her research—and the results are

Several large-scale research projects—which are usually supported

often surprising. She has found, for example, that

by outside funding—have been undertaken in association with the

MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom series have

Department of Economics. They provide opportunities for students to

significantly reduced the rate of births to teens

conduct research and to work as research assistants.

in America. She discovered that greater access to Sesame Street in the show’s early days led to

The Maryland Center for Economics and Policy connects our faculty

improved educational outcomes for children. She also briefed President

and students and the policy community. The Center for International

Obama on a proposal she developed with LESLEY J. TURNER showing

Economics provides a focal point for research on international eco-

implementation of a second-earner tax credit would make a positive

nomics within the Department. INFORUM improves business planning,

difference for U.S. families and for the economy.

government policy analysis, and the general understanding of the >>

UNDERGRADUATE OFFERINGS

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science

economic environment. The Maryland Population Research Center

How can we better understand the role of

unites leading scholars from diverse disciplines to produce popula-

financial markets in creating jobs and a stable

tion-related research of the highest scientific merit.

national economy? SEBNEM KALEMLI-OZCAN’S research shows that in healthy economies with

go.umd.edu/ECONCenters

competitive financial markets, financial institu-

Our B.A. track and our new B.S. track both include foundation

tions such as banks allocate funds to the best

courses in economic theory and empirical analysis. The B.A. empha-

firms, who in turn create new jobs and consumer

sizes a breadth of exposure to different topics in economics, and the B.S. emphasizes the techniques of economic analysis. go.umd.edu/ECONUndergraduate GRADUATE OFFERINGS

Master of Professional Studies in Applied Economics

ECON Points of Pride OUR AWARD-WINNING FACULTY ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD; ARE FREQUENTLY INVITED TO LECTURE AND TO ADVISE ELECTED LEADERS; AND ARE OFTEN FEATURED BY THE MEDIA.

Doctor of Philosophy

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products using these funds. This flow promotes growth and welfare.

If the funds are misallocated due to corrupt banks, then a country’s growth and productivity decline.

ERKUT OZBAY directs UMD’s Experimental Economics Laboratory, which leverages technology and experimental design to

OUR PROGRAM IS CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE TOP 25 PROGRAMS IN THE NATION BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT.

go.umd.edu/ECONGraduate

test economic theory and learn from the behavior of participating subjects. His research explores behavioral finance and saving behaviors. With EMEL FILIZ-OZBAY, MELISSA S. KEARNEY

“ What sets Maryland apart is the diversity of the community and overall experience.

I studied alongside and learned from the best and brightest.”

GARY L. ROZIER, ECON ’99 Senior Vice President of Institutional Marketing & Client Services, Ariel Investments; Member, Board of Visitors, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

OUR LOCATION NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C., ANNAPOLIS AND BALTIMORE ALLOWS FOR EXCEPTIONAL INTERNSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

ECON STUDENTS WORK WITH FACULTY ON CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH PROJECTS.

OUR EXPERT INSTRUCTORS REPRESENT A HIGHER-THAN-AVERAGE PROPORTION OF FEMALE ECONOMISTS, MAKING OURS A UNIQUELY DIVERSE AND RICH FACULTY.

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS OFFER LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES.

and researchers from other universities, he is designing an incentivized savings program where participants are encouraged to save money in a “lottery” system, where they have a chance to earn an unusually high interest rate. go.umd.edu/ECONPeople