MITx MicroMasters® Program Pathway to USF

The USF Economics department is pleased to join the network of global universities in The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MITx MicroMasters® Program and provide a pathway to a master's degree for students from MIT’s Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP), Statistics and Data Science (SDS) and Finance MicroMasters programs.

From MIT:

Grapple with some of the world’s most pressing problems from a rigorous, data-driven perspective.

From probability and statistics to data analysis and machine learning, master the skills needed to solve complex challenges with data.

To USF:

Empowering developing countries to break from the cycles of poverty

Training the next generation of economists in the heart of the digital economy

MITX DEDP Course USF Equivalent
Microeconomics ECON 501: Applied Micro Theory (2 units)
Designing and Running Randomized Evaluations ECON 623: Field Research Methods (2 units)
Data Analysis for Social Scientists ECON 621: Data Science for Economics (2 units)
The Challenges of Global Poverty ECON 672: Development Economics (2 units)
Political Economy and Economic Development ECON 674: Development Macroeconomics (2 units)
Foundations of Development Policy ECON 673: Development Microeconomics (2 units)

*Please note this is only an example of USF course substitution possibilities. The Academic Program Directors will make the final decision on any course substitution decisions based on the academic background of each student. 

MITx Finance Course USF Equivalent
Foundations of Modern Finance I & II (both must be completed) ECON 650: Money and Banking (3 units)
Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance ECON 625: Financial Econometrics (2 units)

Financial Accounting AND Derivatives Markets: Advanced Modeling and Strategies

ECON 655: Options and Futures (3 units)

(granted for completion of both courses)

*Please note this is only an example of USF course substitution possibilities. The Academic Program Directors will make the final decision on any course substitution decisions based on the academic background of each student. 

MITx SDS Course USF Equivalent
Probability - The Science of Uncertainty and Data AND Fundamentals of Statistics

ECON 615: Mathematics for Economics (4 units)

(granted for completion of both courses)

Data Analysis for Social Scientists ECON 621: Data Science for Economics (2 units)
Machine Learning with Python: from Linear Models to Deep Learning MSDS 598: Modeling I (2 units)
Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications MSDS 599: Modeling II: Machine Learning (2 units)

*Please note this is only an example of USF course substitution possibilities. The Academic Program Directors will make the final decision on any course substitution decisions based on the academic background of each student. 

Main benefits of the MITx pathway to USF:

  • Complete your Economics Master's degree more quickly.

  • Save almost 25% on your total tuition cost.

  • Complete some or all of the MicroMasters curriculum and receive 2 credits per completed MicroMasters course, up to 8 credits. Exception*: For the MITx MicroMasters in Statistics & Data Science, because only the capstone exam is proctored, students will only receive credits if they have completed the entire MicroMasters program and the capstone exam.

Main facts of the MITx Pathway to USF:

  • USF offers the credential holders of the MITx MicroMasters program in DEDP or SDS the possibility of earning up to 8 credits towards the completion of the MS International and Development Economics or MS Applied Economics Programs (36 units total).

  • Credits are offered for MicroMasters program courses passed through MIT’s proctored exams. Completion of a full MicroMasters program is not necessary to receive credit (SDS MicroMaster exception*).

  • Any courses must be completed before arrival at USF, for an overall grade of 70 or higher.

  • Students on F-1 visa status or receiving USF scholarships must take at least 6 units per semester for both fall and spring semesters, with the exception of the final semester.

Info Webinars:

Please contact our Department (idec@usfca.edu for the IDEC program and econ@usfca.edu for the Applied Econ program) if you have any questions on the MITx MicroMasters® Program Pathway to USF.