Applied Economics and Management Graduate Programs

MPS in Applied Economics and Management

MS in Applied Economics and Management

PhD in Applied Economics and Management

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Take Your Education to the Next Level with a Graduate Degree from the Dyson School

Advance your education. Advance your career.

Whether you’re looking for a research-rich master’s or doctoral program or want to gain graduate-level technical skills and training, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management has an option for you.

Among the top applied economics graduate programs in the nation, the Dyson School offers the rigor of an Ivy League education, an expansive alumni and partner network, and hands-on experience.

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Finding the Right Graduate Program for You

Continuing your education—whether you’re in a career transition, want to advance in your current organization, or are fresh from undergrad—is a smart investment in yourself and your future. In today’s competitive job market, a graduate degree from the Dyson School can help you stand out among other candidates.

We encourage you to explore and compare our AEM graduate options—which include a Master of Science (MS), a Master of Professional Studies (MPS), and a PhD — to see which one is right for you.

Applied Economics Master’s Programs at the Dyson School

The Dyson School offers two master’s-level degrees in applied economics and management—a Master of Science (MS) and a Master of Professional Studies (MPS). While they have much in common, the main difference is that the shorter-term MPS is focused on industry, while the research-focused MS requires a thesis—an in-depth research paper that demonstrates your command of the topic, applies what you’ve learned in the program, and results in new knowledge in the field.

MPS in Applied Economics and Management

The Master of Professional Studies in AEM is a one-year, career-focused graduate program designed to prepare you for industry. You’ll gain technical skills, develop specialized knowledge, and solve real-world problems through a hands-on curriculum.

Degree Awarded

MPS in Applied Economics and Management

Location

Ithaca, NY

Program Format

Full-time residential and STEM-designated

Program Schedule

One year

Students enrolled in this program also have the option to add the CEMS MIM academic credential to their time at the Dyson School and further elevate their managerial experience.

VIEW MPS IN AEM PROGRAM DETAILS

MS in Applied Economics and Management

The MS in Applied Economics and Management is a two-year, residential program ideal for business-minded students interested in pursuing careers in research, consulting, and academia. This research-rich degree is also excellent preparation for continued study at the PhD level.

Degree Awarded

MS in Applied Economics and Management

Location

Ithaca, NY

Program Format

Full-time residential and STEM-designated

Program Schedule

Two years

VIEW MS in AEM PROGRAM DETAILS

PhD in Applied Economics and Management

The PhD in Applied Economics and Management at the Dyson School is a fully funded, STEM-designated program offering unprecedented teaching and research opportunities. Earning a doctoral degree opens you up to meaningful career opportunities in academia, research, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector.

Degree Awarded

PhD in Applied Economics and Management

Location

Ithaca, NY

Program Format

Full-time residential and STEM-designated

Program Schedule

Five years

VIEW PhD in AEM PROGRAM DETAILS

Your MS and PhD Questions Answered: Applied Economics Graduate Program FAQ

As you determine the best applied economics graduate program for you, you likely have questions. Our Frequently Asked Questions page can help you learn more about the Dyson School’s MS and PhD programs, including program length and location, the admissions process, thesis or dissertation requirements, career possibilities, and more.

Visit MS & PHD FAQ Page

Innovative and Relevant: Benefits of a STEM-Designated Graduate Program

A longtime innovator in economics and management education, the Dyson School prepares students for an evolving marketplace. Our STEM-designated applied economics programs take that to another level by ensuring that our curriculum develops the technical competencies demanded of today’s researchers. Your studies will cover applied econometrics, programming, machine learning, and other emerging areas relevant to business.

The STEM designation offers additional benefits to Dyson School students on an F-1 visa, including the opportunity for extended learning and professional experiences in the United States.

Career Opportunities: Where Your AEM Graduate Degree Can Take You

Dyson School graduates are in demand. With solid academic training, deep research experience, and real-world problem-solving projects, you’ll be prepared for exciting careers.

You’ll find our MS, MPS, and PhD alumni teaching and leading academic departments at top universities, as well as using their economics expertise in high-level positions in government, business, and the nonprofit sector.

84%

of the MPS Class of 2022 received offers within six months of graduation

After the MPS: Career Opportunities Abound

After earning the MPS, our graduates advance in their current companies, pursue management positions with other companies, and transition into different industries.

View MPS in AEM Career Outcomes

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After Your MS or PhD: Research-Rich Careers in Academia and Industry

Our MS in AEM alumni pursue careers as analysts, consultants, and research associates in a range of sectors and specialties. Many also go on to areas like accounting, food and nutrition policy, agricultural economics, marketing, and management, including right here at the Dyson School.

Our PhD graduates teach and continue their research at institutions across the United States and abroad. They also serve in high-profile roles as economists, data scientists, and advisors at federal agencies, global financial services firms, nongovernmental organizations, and nonprofits.

View MS and PHD Career Outcomes

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Pursuing Big Economic Questions: What Are You Curious About?

Intellectual curiosity is strong at Cornell University. As an MS or PhD student at the Dyson School, you’ll devote much of your time to independent research. Guided by faculty mentors, you’ll take a deep dive into an applied economics issue or a management-related topic you’re passionate about.

The quality and caliber of our students’ theses and dissertations is recognized around the world, including garnering the highest honors from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

Explore MS and PhD Research Opportunities

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Our Faculty: Engage with Industry-Leading Scholars and Practitioners

As a graduate or doctoral student at the Dyson School, you’ll work alongside some of the most brilliant minds in applied economics and management today. You will also learn from award-winning educators, widely published scholars, and industry-leading practitioners from across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the broader Cornell University.

In addition to receiving individual mentorship, MS and PhD students have the opportunity to form their own special faculty committee—an advisory group that will guide them through every step of their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.

Meet Dyson Faculty

Living and Learning at Cornell: The Graduate Student Experience at the Dyson School

At the Dyson School, our business is a better world. When you choose to pursue an applied economics graduate program here, you’ll become part of an inviting, collaborative, collegial learning community dedicated to making a positive impact near and far.

Our Community

At the Dyson School, you will make meaningful connections across campus and beyond. You’ll learn from a world-class faculty, engage with ambitious peers, receive close research mentorship, and have access to a broad range of academic and career support services. Graduate students engage in many ways, from networking events to student organizations.

Why Dyson

Our Campus

With historic buildings, modern learning spaces, beautiful scenery, and abundant amenities, Cornell is an amazing place to live and learn. We’d love to show you around campus. Ithaca, NY, is a vibrant college town nestled in the Finger Lakes region.

Explore Our Campus

Our Expertise

Our AEM faculty members are experts in many fields, but they are perhaps best known for consulting, consumer packaged goods, financial services, technology, and agribusiness. This breadth and depth of knowledge guides our curriculum and fuels our network—and is especially beneficial as you pursue your thesis and doctoral research.

Our Industry Advantages

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Applying to the Dyson School

Ready to embark on your next academic adventure in one of the Dyson School’s applied economics graduate programs? We encourage you to begin the application process today.

To get started, register or log in to the Cornell Graduate Admissions website.

Apply Now