►  Graduate School Rules  apply to this program

Admissions Advisor: Brian Duncan (brian.duncan@ucdenver.edu)
Schedule Advisor: Dan Rees (daniel.rees@ucdenver.edu)

The fields of public administration and economics are inextricably linked. Economists provide much of the theory and analytic foundation that administrators use to evaluate and implement policy. Given that the capital of the state of Colorado is in Denver, there is great need for administrators that fully understand methods of program evaluation and have the theoretical background needed to forecast how individuals and institutions will respond to new proposals. Similarly, good theory and practice must take into account how the proposals will be implemented and results interpreted. Both administrators and economists need to be engaged in constructive dialogue for either to be fully effective.

Students interested in completing the dual degree in economics and public administration must apply separately to each program, meet the admission requirements of each program, and be accepted by each program. If one program accepts a student for the dual degree but the other program does not, then the student may not graduate under the dual degree program. It is possible for students currently admitted to one program to learn about the dual degree and choose to apply after admission to either economics or the School of Public Affairs (SPA). Both degrees must be completed in the same semester to take advantage of the dual degree program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• Meet all general requirements of the Graduate School (including a 2.50 undergraduate grade-point average).
• Submit three letters of recommendation (at least two of your letters of recommendation should come from individuals who are familiar with your scholarly record)
  
• Submit two copies of official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Have completed 15 credit hours of undergraduate economics (including intermediate microeconomic theory and intermediate macroeconomic theory)
• Have completed courses in calculus and statistics
• All applicants, international and domestic, must submit GRE scores regardless of prior degrees, course work, or work experience. The institution code for CU Denver is 4875. Most students admitted to the MA program score 690 or above on the quantitative section of the GRE, but there is not a minimum GRE cutoff score.
• International students must submit TOEFL scores. The required minimum score is 203 (computer-based TOEFL), 75 (IBT-based TOEFL), 537 (paper-based TOEFL), or 6.5 (IELTS). The institution code for CU Denver is 4875. 

The Department of Economics accepts late applications after these official deadlines. However, there is no guarantee that a late application will be processed in time for the start of the semester. Students are encouraged to apply well before the application deadline.

International students who apply after the June 1 or November 1 deadline may not have time to obtain a student visa. Being admitted to the MA program in economics does not guarantee that a student will receive a student visa in time for the start of the semester. International students who are admitted to the MA program, but fail to obtain a visa in time, may defer admission for up to one year. All questions about student visas should be directed to the Office of International Education .