The National Association for Business Economics, the premier professional association for business economists, is partnering with several top universities including Boston College to offer its Certified Business Economist® professional certification to graduate students in economics. Students in the Master of Science in Applied Economics degree program at BC's Woods College of Advancing Studies may now elect to simultaneously earn the CBE certification.
“We are thrilled that Boston College, Brandeis, and the University of Cincinnati will be our first partners in this endeavor,” said NABE President Stuart Mackintosh, executive director of the Group of Thirty. “Students who earn their CBE certification alongside their economics degree will enter the job market with a distinct advantage, having mastered a body of applied economics knowledge sought after by employers and essential for a successful career in the field of economics and data analytics.”
Launched in 2015, the CBE is a comprehensive professional certification program of study and examination covering core topics in applied economics and data analytics. Students who matriculate in qualifying master’s degree programs at partner universities will be able to complete their CBE requirements while studying for their degrees and sit for the CBE Exam which will be offered on campus each year.
"It is a great honor to partner with NABE to provide curriculum geared toward preparing our students to work in the industry,” said Aleksandar Tomic, program director of the Master of Science in Applied Economics degree program at Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies. “With our focus on imparting immediately applicable skills, this partnership is a testament to the applied focus and quality of our curriculum, and we look forward to deepening the connection with NABE and its members in order to better serve our students and continue the current momentum in placing our graduates."
Built by more than 50 chief economists and other senior-level NABE Members, the CBE certification program is designed to train and certify candidates on a battery of skills and knowledge employers expect effective economists to possess. The CBE adds clarity to decisions around hiring and promotion and establishes a platform for lifelong continuing education and career development.
Successful CBEs have proven their skills and knowledge in key areas including micro and macroeconomics; econometrics; managerial economics; economic measurement and statistics, as well as writing and communication skills. All CBEs must pursue continuing education throughout their careers and comply with the CBE Code of Ethics. The CBE program is administered by a Board of Governors which includes leading economists working in business, academia, and government.
Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. For more information, visit the NABE website.