Economic Behaviour and Governance (Master of Science)

The Master program in Economic Behaviour and Governance (EB&Go), M.Sc. emphasizes the main research areas of the faculty at the Institute of Economics. The objective is to provide students with profound knowledge in behavioural economics with a strong focus on applied research questions. We introduce students to advanced theories in the field of behavioural economics and governance and to advanced empirical methods. Furthermore, we train them to apply these theories and methods to analyse important problems in contemporary economic policy. The overall objective is to provide students with an excellent education in economics with a special focus on behavioural economics, empirical methods and the application of both on economic policy and governance issues.

The Master program qualifies students for a wide array of jobs in academia and beyond. The strong emphasis on governance and economic policy issues opens up career opportunities in government agencies and public administration, supranational organisations, NGOs as well as multinational firms.

The community of German students and students from many other countries provides an inspiring learning environment. It offers the opportunities for all participants to broaden their horizon and enhance their intercultural skills. The specific modules Communication Skills and Studium generale offer an additional opportunity to train key social and communication skills.

The program is designed to be completed in three semesters on intensive course work and consists of the following eight modules (apart from the Master thesis and colloquium):

• Research Methods:
  This module is designed to introduce students to advanced empirical research methods in economics and train them to apply these methods to test theories and analyse economic policy problems and governance issues.
  
  
• Economic Behaviour:
  The focus of this module is to obtain knowledge in advanced modelling techniques of agent’s behaviour in different economic situations. Students are introduced to a number of different theories in the field of behavioural economics, they learn to apply empirical research methods (especially experimental methods) and to explore more deeply the factors that drive human behaviour.
  
  
• Governance:
  The module concentrates on the field of economic policy and governance issues. Students learn to apply the empirical research methods and theoretical concepts to address questions of economic policy and governance. A special emphasis rests on the application of approaches from behavioural economics  and on public choice concepts.
  
  
• Advanced Topics in Corporate Governance, Consumer Behaviour and Management:
  Advanced concepts and methods in the field of business administration are the main focus of this module. Students obtain analytical skills in the field of corporate management, consumer behaviour and consumer research.
  
  
• Seminar in Economic Behaviour:
  In this module, students have to apply their obtained knowledge on a specific research question in the field of economic behaviour.
  
  
• Seminar in Governance:
  In this module, students have to apply their obtained knowledge to a specific problem in the field of governance. The seminars will focus on contemporary challenges in the field of economic policies and governance.
  
  
• Studium generale:
  The module provides students with the opportunity to gain insights to theories, concepts and methods of other departments at the University of Kassel. This module is introduced to inspire students to look beyond the scope of economics, develop their personality and broaden their labour market opportunities.
  
  
• Communication Skills:
  In this module, students acquire the knowledge and skills to execute and control interpersonal and intercultural communication and interaction. 

The Master in Economic Behaviour and Governance is consecutive and highly research orientated. Given the large number of courses in English language and the opportunity to write the Master thesis in English, it is possible to graduate entirely with courses held in English. No knowledge of German is required for participation in the program. However, German-speaking students can acquire up to two third of the credits in German.

The program has been accredited by the ZEVA.

Applicants can enter the Master program every summer or winter semester. Application deadlines are September 1^st for the winter semester and March 1^st for the summer semester.