» MSBCE Frequently Asked Questions

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The MSBCE 2-year program is for students applying from different universities that have already completed a bachelor’s degree and are now interested in completing a master’s degree.

The 5-year integrated program is for current Chapman undergraduate students looking to integrate one year of their master's program with their undergraduate degree to finish a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in 5 years.

While most students require the full amount of time to finish the program, it may be possible to graduate early if all of the requirements are fulfilled.

This degree is unique and extremely marketable. The skills offered through this degree can be of use to e-commerce designers, policy analysts, system designers, engineers, strategic consultants and computer scientists. In addition, this program will prepare students to be successful in the most demanding Doctoral programs in Economics, Finance, Management Science, Accounting, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering and Computational Sciences. The curriculum is interdisciplinary since the targeted careers in generally demand a working knowledge of a variety of disciplines. Students will also develop skills in scientific research methodology and computational proficiency.

There is no separate application for scholarships. All applicants are considered for full and partial tuition scholarships as well as research assistantships; however there are a limited number of scholarships available.

In order to be awarded a scholarship, prospective students must demonstrate a good work ethic, a strong undergraduate background, an exceptional score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and outstanding letters of recommendation.

No specific undergraduate degrees are required for this program. We encourage students with majors in mathematics, computer science, engineering, any business related major, and psychology. However, all students should have adequate mathematical training and knowledge of a computer programming language.

Students will systematically investigate real world problems using human subject experiments, computational methods, and statistical data analysis. A Master of Science in Behavioral and Computational Economics will prepare students to undertake the scientific process of understanding human incentives in order to design and test efficient systems for exchange, scheduling, and resource distribution. The skills offered through this degree can be of use to e-commerce designers, policy analysts, system designers, industrial managers and engineers, and computer scientists. In addition, this program will prepare students to be successful in the most demanding Doctoral programs in Economics, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering and Computational Sciences.

Typical class sizes range from five to ten students. There is plenty of time for students to discuss their projects. Professors are available and encourage one-on-one interactions to help guide students through their research.

Students must write a thesis of original work to be handed in which will be published in the library and an oral defense will be required.

Students get their ideas for their thesis from a wide variety of sources. Many students have gotten ideas from faculty members, either by helping a faculty member on their research projects or simply discussing economic problems during office hours. Students have also gotten thesis ideas from class projects, business practices they are interested in investigating or simply a news story they came across. Finally, students are exposed to a wide-range of research topics through the IFREE/ESI Friday lectures. There never seems to be a shortage of ideas for students to draw on.

Yes, each student is assigned a thesis advisor but will work with all faculty to finish their thesis.

Yes, it is a STEM program.

Check out the Alumni Career Paths page for the most up to date information on MSBCE Graduate whereabouts.

If you have questions about life as a student at ESI you can contact ESI’s administrative office at dumas@chapman.edu. The administrative office will put you in contact with a current graduate student to answer any questions.

There is a very broad list of research projects being addressed at ESI.

View the list of projects »

Check out this NOVA video, Mind Over Money, which includes our labs and professors, along with others from around the United States.

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» MSBCE Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the 2-year MSBCE only program and the MSBCE 5-year integrated program?

Can I finish the degree in less time than specified?

What can I use this degree for?

What are the requirements for earning a full or partial scholarship?

What undergraduate majors would be most valuable for entering this program?

What type of experience would I gain while earning a Masters in Behavioral and Computational Economics?

What are the class sizes on average, and how available are professors for one-on-one discussion?

What are the thesis requirements?

Where do students get ideas for their thesis?

Will I have an adviser in the program?

Is the MS in Behavioral and Computation Economics considered a STEM program?

What have Alumni of the program done after graduation?

Who can I speak with if I have questions about life as a graduate student at ESI?

What types of experiments are being worked on right now?

Still wondering what exactly we do?