UMass Boston

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Economics of Education

Course Overview

Date / Time Location Credits Minimium Tuition*
1/26/26 - 5/13/26
MoWe 9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m.		 Wheatley-Peters W02-0200 3 $2065 (guest students)
Date
1/26/26 - 5/13/26
Time
MoWe 9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m.
Location
Wheatley-Peters W02-0200
Credits
3
Min. Tuition*
$2065 (guest students)

Description

This course deals with a variety of questions about the role of education in the economy and about economic aspects of the educational system. First, attention is given to the historical development of US public education and to different theories trying to explain that development. Students examine such issues as: Does education make people more productive? If so, how? Does education affect people's behavior in ways that make them "fit" better or worse in the large enterprises of the economy? Whose interests are served by the structure of our educational system? How does the educational system affect economic, social and political equality? Much of the course is devoted to particular controversies, for example, the issue of school choice, merit pay for teachers, the equalizing or disequalizing impacts of schooling, the importance of education in making the US "more competitive."

Prerequisites

ECON 101 or 102

Guest registration opens January 12

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Course Details

Session

Regular Academic Session

Class Dates

1/26/2026 - 5/13/2026

Location

Wheatley-Peters W02-0200

Enrolled / Capacity

30 / 30

Status

Closed

Instructor

Dania Francis

Tuition*

$2065 (guest students)

* The tuition estimate is based on minimum, single-course cost to a new student who is a Massachusetts resident and not enrolled in a multi-course program. State residency, online/in person modality, and matriculation to a degree program may affect cost.

Tuition Details