The ISET Master’s Program combines both theoretical and applied courses in all major areas of economics, and students are required to demonstrate mastery of technical research skills by writing and defending a thesis, applying the tools they acquired in their studies. The curriculum is supplemented by internships, faculty-led research projects, and frequent opportunities to interact with policymakers and practitioners.

   The first year of studies consists of full-year sequences in four core theoretical disciplines: macroeconomics, microeconomics, statistics/econometrics, and mathematics for economists.

   During their second year of studies students at ISET are given the possibility to draw up an individual plan of elective courses designed to give them mastery of several sub fields of modern economics. In addition, second-year students will enroll in a Research Methods sequence, culminating in a master’s thesis. Students are required to take and pass 14 elective courses in the second year for a total of 52 credits. Most elective courses carry 3 credits. Students should register for not less than 2 and not more than 5 elective courses in mini-terms 1-4, and not less than one elective in the fifth miniterm. Exceptions from this rule would require prior approval by the ISET Academic Affairs Office. Students may exclude up to three elective courses from their transcript (diploma supplement) provided they take and pass a sufficient number of elective courses to meet the graduate program requirements. Grades of excluded electives will also not be taken into account when calculating students’ GPA.

  Students earn three credits per course each mini term. 120 credits in economics are required for completion of the Master’s degree. First-year students take a supplementary course in academic writing and attend special workshops (e.g. orientations to the library and computer facilities, introductions to special software). Grading is according to the U.S. system (A-B-C-D-F). Graduates will receive a Master’s Degree from the Tbilisi State University reflecting their successful completion of the ISET curriculum in Economics.

   Below is the 2007-2008 student course plan.

   All courses are taught in English by highly-qualified international faculty with Ph.D degrees from the best foreign universities. In addition to teaching, the faculty is involved in organizing the School’s research and outreach programs.