MA Behavioral Economics

Distance Learning

Program Description

The Master’s in Behavioral Economics program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between psychology and economics, focusing on how individuals make decisions in various contexts. This interdisciplinary program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze human behavior, shape consumer decisions, and inform decision-making processes for both public and private organizations. Students will learn the strategies to develop interventions grounded in behavioral science for the purpose of affecting positive change in individuals, organizations, and communities. Our graduates work in industries such as: Software Development; Business Consulting; Mental Health Care Organizations; Public Safety; Non-Profit Organizations; Banking; Armed Forces; Hospitality; Aviation & Aerospace; Health, Wellness & Fitness; Insurance; Marketing; and Education.  

The 40 credit hour Master’s in Behavioral Economics program offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates theory, research methods, and practical applications for use in careers in research, public relations, marketing, policymaking, consulting, and industry. Through a blend of interdisciplinary coursework, students develop the knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness necessary to address complex behavioral challenges in diverse settings. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, fostering critical thinking, and promoting ethical practice, graduates are prepared to address complex behavioral challenges and drive positive societal change in an ever-evolving global landscape. 

Program Philosophy

Students will use scientific research and theory to inform their practices and contribute to the body of work extending the reach of their specialties in professional psychology. Students will apply theoretical and practical knowledge about ethnic, racial, gender, sexual, cultural and religious differences (among other individual and group demographic factors) into their professional work. Students will be able to conduct assessments, develop appropriate interventions, and implement interventions in their specialty areas of professional psychology and function in a professional and ethical manner in classroom, off-site training, and work-settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:

Professional Practice

• Generate solutions through the application of theory to the individual, group and organization including: the ability to interpret and synthesize research and theory using process consultation, assessment, and interventions.
• Relate information in Oral and Written communication that is grammatically correct, logical, succinct and of publishable quality.
• Manage relationships with others to enhance quality of work products rather than diminish work products including: managing conflict.

Diversity

• Assess differences in judgment and choice with regard to diverse populations and work cooperatively with members of different identity groups including individuals from different ethnicities, religion, sexual orientation, ability level, age, and different educational backgrounds in multidisciplinary teams.

Professional Behavior

• Develop self-awareness, self-management, and professional and psychological maturity as exhibited by the ability to accept feedback and the willingness to change behavior as needed.

Scholarship

• Construct and interpret research studies including: hypothetical choices, experiments with actual observations, and field research.
• Evaluate information using techniques such as: identifying, observing through inductive or deductive reasoning, and inferring.
• Compare and contrast elements of Behavioral Economics including: market fluctuations, public policy, and economic/hedonic decision-making. Interpret research/theories of judgment and choice including: rationality, uncertainty/risk, social trends and Neuro-economics. Explain and summarize the foundations of Behavioral Economics including: social and cognitive psychology, sociology and political science.

Admission Requirements

For information on where The Chicago School is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/

Application to The Chicago School’s MA Behavioral Economics program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work. 

Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include: 

• Completed application and $50 application fee   
• Generally, an undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. 
• Official Transcripts  

• Students must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.  
• It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications. 

 Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation.  

• Resume/CV or Work History (e.g. employer letter, LinkedIn profile, or other document that reflects your work history)  
• Personal Statement (between 250 and 500 words for each question)  

• Please describe a challenge that you navigated successfully and how you will use what you have learned from that experience to be successful in your program. 
• How will the successful completion of this program support your professional career goals? 

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Articulation Agreements

The Chicago School has established an agreement between the MA Behavioral Economics and the B.A. Psychology programs to allow qualified students to enroll in master’s level courses while completing their bachelors degree that will then count toward the master’s degree.

Degree Completion Requirements

• Successful completion of 40 credit hours of coursework
• Successful completion of the Applied Research Project

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures : Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. Click the link above for detailed information.

Ethical Guidelines

Students are expected to engage in all graduate work, including but not limited to course work, research, and scholarship, with a high degree of integrity and professionalism. It is essential that students approach professional working relationships, collegial relationships, and client/partner-contact with respect. Further, students are expected to adhere to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct as well as the “evolving universal code of ethics” (Gauthier, 2005).  Students who choose to seek employment in the field of psychology shall not work beyond their level of competence and shall not use titles governed by credentialing statutes and/or regulations unless authorized by the relevant jurisdictional authority. Students who fail to comply with ethical and professional behavior guidelines are subject to department remediation and/or referral to Student Community Standards for disciplinary action and possible dismissal.

Residencies

There are no residency requirements for this program.

Applied Research Project 

Students in the Applied Research Project complete classwork over the course of their studies that guide them through the process of writing the Applied Research Project. A faculty member will approve and supervise the project through these courses.