Sul Ross State University announced that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has approved a new Master of Science in Applied Economics (MAE) program, set to launch in the Fall 2026.

The program is designed to prepare students with advanced analytical and quantitative skills to evaluate economic trends, inform policy decisions and support strategic business planning in today’s global economy.

The MS in Applied Economics integrates economic theory, econometrics, managerial decision-making and public sector policy into a cohesive, applied curriculum. Students will complete a capstone project focused on real-world economic challenges faced by businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Sumantra Sengupta, Dean of the Rio Grande College of Business said, “Texas continues to be at the epicenter of economic development and growth. Our workforce development needs will require advanced capabilities at the intersection of policy and economics. We look forward to contributing to the skills and capability development.”

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers as economic and policy analysts, financial consultants, data and market forecasters, public sector strategists and research professionals, equipped with advanced analytical skills and professional communication expertise.

For more information, email jose.mora@sulross.edu.

About the Rio Grande College of Business: The mission of Rio Grande College of Business (RGCOB) is to provide outstanding experiential business education across Sul Ross State University’s fourcampuses in Alpine, Eagle Pass, Del Rio and Uvalde, as well as online. RGCOB emphasizes programmatic innovation, student success and strong faculty engagement, with over 80 percent of faculty holding terminal degrees. The college is a full member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Photo: Dr. Sumantra Sengupta, Dean of the Rio Grande College of Business