MA Behavioral Economics

*This program will not open in 2023-2024

A first-of-its-kind MA program in the field of decision-making, which began to receive particular recognition after Kahneman (2002) and Thaler (2017) were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for their related works. The program integrates aspects of economics and psychology, and provides insight into economic policy and social change, which attempts to answer questions that concern us all: What factors influence our decisions when we take economic risks? Do we use emotion or logic when making decisions? What are the forces that affect the way we make decisions under conditions of uncertainty?

Calendar

Brochure

Head of Program

Dr. Guy Hochman

Faculty

About the Program

The MA program in Behavioral Economics is a joint program of the Tiomkin School of Economics and Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology. The aim of the program is to provide students with theoretical and applied knowledge in psychology, economics, and public policy. The program relies on the strong historical link between these three disciplines; its goal is to train behavioral economists and give them practical tools and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art policies and interventions aimed at improving decision-making processes.

The program is taught in English, by leading classical and behavioral economists. Our faculty members are doing cutting-edge and innovative research in behavioral economics, alongside their work in the field. The cooperation between the School of Economics and the School of Psychology creates a unique interdisciplinary program. We invite you to join us on a fascinating and enriching experience.

Program Highlights

The program is designed for students from Israel and abroad who are passionate about human behavior, and motivated to lead social changes and to help individuals and organizations better manage their lives. Suitable candidates may come from a range of academic backgrounds, including psychology, economics, sociology, law, computers, and more.
The program includes a research track (thesis) and nonthesis track (final project). Students must select their preferred track by the end of the 4th mini semester.
Applicants can have a bachelor’s degree in any field, and must have a grade point average of at least 80.
9 mini semesters (6 weeks each) over the course of two academic years.
The program offers behavioral economics internships for top students.
Courses will be given 2 days a week: Sundays and Fridays.

For more information on the Thesis click here

*In Mini semester 1 only, the school day will start at 13:00 on Sundays.

What Are You Going To Study?

Prerequisite Courses
- Dr. Carolina Silva
  
  This course aims to familiarize students with methods of data analysis in economics and advanced issues in econometrics. Students will be exposed to state-of-the-art statistical techniques and will learn how they can be applied when analyzing issues of social concern and public policy.
Core Courses
- Dr. Ron Lazer
  
  This course provides theoretical and practical tools to analyze financial information, primarily information in financial statements, for the purpose of making investment decisions. The primary focus is on equity (share) valuation, with some attention given to credit analysis and the valuation of debt.
- Dr. Amitay Kauffmann
  
  This course aims to impart a critical perspective of, and an empirical familiarity with, the range of methods available to behavioral researchers. The course will overview advanced and state-of-the-art research methods in the fields of behavioral economics, psychology, and decision making.
Advanced and Applied Courses
- Dr. Ariel Tikotsky
  
  The practicum seminar introduces students to concepts and practices expected of them during their practicum experience and their professional lives. The seminar will set the ground for the actual work, with classes focusing on methodologies, best practices and case studies, and simulations.
- Dr. Guy Hochman
  
  During the course, we will present different approaches to interventions, debiasing techniques, and environmental designs aimed at encouraging people to make optimal, moral, and pro-social decisions. Students will work in groups to propose different behavioral interventions designed to solve key societal issues.
- Prof. Shimon Kogan
  
  This course investigates how individuals and firms make financial decisions, specifically savings and investment decisions, how these decisions deviate from the rational benchmark, and how these decisions impact financial markets. Policies and regulations to improve and transform these decisions will be discussed.
- Dr. Ariel Tikotsky & Dr. Efrat Salton
  
  The practicum allows students to participate in a supervised work program, where they apply coursework knowledge in a practical setting. The practicum will include class discussions revolving around dilemmas encountered at the hosting organizations.
- Prof. Yona Rubinstein
  
  Taking advantage of recent research papers published in top outlets, this course focuses on how to formulate questions of interest in an econometric model, estimate the parameters of interest using a state-of-the-art menu of econometric methods, and structurally interpret the estimates using these tools.
- Dr. Sarit Goldner
  
  The course addresses the methodological strategies for behavioral economics research. The course will cover topics such as differences analysis, RCTs, and attrition and selection biases. We will highlight the strengths and limitations of research designs and econometric analysis.
- Prof. Dan Zakay
  
  Most economic models adopt a normative approach to decision-making, focused on how one should optimally make decisions. By contrast, this course takes a descriptive approach focused on how people actually make decisions. The aim of the course is to improve the ability of students to predict and influence the behavior of others, by understanding how other people make decisions.
- Dr. Yair Friedman
  
  The Sharing Economy is one of the fastest growing business trends in history. In its digital form, Sharing Economy is a relatively new social-economic phenomenon made possible by the ubiquity of smart phones, inefficiency of ownership, and the establishment of trust among communities and networks. This course examines the design of various platforms and markets, and introduces this phenomenon and its antecedents, characteristics, and outcomes. It also presents a wide variety of related issues, such as complementary currencies, circular economy, and servicing.
Final Project & Thesis
- Dr. Aluma Dembo & Ms. Maya Goldberg
  
  This seminar is set up to support students in their work on their final project. The seminar will guide students through key issues in research and critical reading. The seminar is open only to student who are not enrolled in the thesis program.

For the entire list of courses please refer to the Student Handbook
Students are required to take 43 credits and to submit a final project or thesis; 39 credits are required courses and 4 credits are elective courses.
The academic administration of Reichman University reserves the right to make changes to the curriculum.

For Hebrew Click Here

MA Behavioral Economics

About the Program

Program Highlights

What Are You Going To Study?

Prerequisite Courses

Core Courses

Advanced and Applied Courses

Final Project & Thesis

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