Development Economics - focuses on a range of issues of developing and transitioning countries, at both a microeconomic and macroeconomic level. Completion of the requirements in a specialization will result in a formal indication of the specialization on the student's transcript. Completion of the requirements for any of the specializations satisfies the International Economics concentration requirement for the SAIS M.A. degree. Students pursuing a specialization are still required to pass the oral examination in international economics. The oral exam will continue to focus on the understanding and application of the economic issues covered mostly in the core courses. However, students in a specialization may face some questions examining their expertise in their area of specialization. These specializations do not change the requirement of a concentration in an examination field outside of International Economics. They are simply an option for students wishing to indicate a focus of study within the field of international economics. It should be recognized that these specializations are significantly more demanding in terms of economics knowledge and workload than the general economic requirement. Students with no prior background in economics, as well as those students who do not fulfill the basic requirements (Microeconomics and Macroeconomics) before starting their first full semester are discouraged from considering a specialization.
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