Applied Economics 4+1
Discover our program
Why our 4+1?
The world has some big problems to solve. How do we produce enough food while protecting our natural resources? How should communities prepare for floods, droughts and other risks? Why do people make the choices they do? How can businesses, communities, and governments make better decisions?
Our applied economics (4+1) program gives you knowledge and tools to understand these problems and help do something about them. You will learn how to work with data, understand human behavior, weigh costs and benefits, and figure out which solutions might actually work. You will gain advanced skills and more career options while helping to address challenges facing our world today and in the future.
Why is UD's program unique?
Our applied economics 4+1 program gives you the flexibility to build a degree around your interests and career goals with the support of dedicated faculty advisors. Explore a wide range of topics, including food and agriculture, environmental and natural resource economics, behavioral economics, public policy, and data analysis. You will develop skills in understanding human behavior, working with data, and solving real-world problems.
You can also choose a path that fits your goals, whether that means completing an internship, conducting original research and writing a thesis, or pursuing a non-thesis option with additional coursework. Through our Center for Experimental and Applied Economics, you will work alongside faculty and students on research that examines how people make decisions and how we can improve policies, programs, and markets. With a combination of advanced analytical skills, hands-on experiences, and individualized guidance, you will graduate prepared for a purposeful career with exciting opportunities ahead of you.
How this program works
The applied economics 4+1 is an accelerated path that allows you to earn a B.S. and an Applied Economics M.S. in five years.
The program is available to students in two undergraduate majors:
Environmental and Resource Economics (B.S.) with both concentrations:
Once students have earned at least 60 credits (i.e., junior standing), they may apply to the +1 component for the Applied Economics M.S. program. Admission decisions are made by the department’s graduate committee and require a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Students in the 4+1 program begin taking graduate-level courses while finishing their bachelor's degree, with up to 12 credits counting toward both degrees.
If the 4+1 interests you, talk with your advisor early. They will help you explore your options and build a plan that works for you.
>17,000
economist jobs
$142,000
mean annual wage
Course highlights
Career outcomes
One of the best things about a degree in applied economics is you will gain knowledge and skills that are increasingly in demand in many different types of jobs. Applied economists use data and economic thinking to help businesses, communities, governments and organizations make better decisions. With skills that can be applied across many industries, you'll have opportunities to build a career that matches your interests and goals.
Possible careers include:
Economic analyst
Policy analyst
Data analyst
Environmental and natural resource economist
Business or management consultant
Market research analyst
Research associate
Agricultural economist
Our 4+1 program trains students to ask good questions, work with data, understand how people make decisions, and use evidence to solve real-world problems. These are skills that employers are looking for across a wide range of career paths.
Associate Chair and Professor
Related student organizations
Contact us
Leah Palm-Forster
Director of the Center for Experimental and Applied Economics
What is a 4+1?
Our accelerated degree (4+1) programs enable students to apply for a graduate program as early as their junior year of undergraduate study.
If granted acceptance, students will take 6 to 8 credits of graduate-level courses during the final year of their undergraduate program. Because these credits can be dual-counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, students can complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in only one additional year—or five years total.