►  Graduate School Policies and Procedures  apply to this program

Graduate Advisors: Brian Duncan and Hani Mansour

The MA program in economics is designed to train students in the quantitative and applied economic skills that will best enhance their future employment opportunities in the private and public sectors, or their pursuit of PhD studies in economics or related fields.

Our MA program emphasizes extensive training in mathematical and quantitative analysis, including the provision of substantial exposure to applied econometrics, working with large and diverse data sets, and a wide range of statistical software. The program gives students the applied skills that employers demand, provides those pursuing advanced degrees an edge in gaining admission to top-flight PhD programs-and enhances the likelihood of the student’s ultimate success.

Admission Requirements

• Meet all general admission requirements of the Graduate School (including a 2.50 undergraduate grade-point average).
• Submit three letters of recommendation (at least two letters should come from individuals who are familiar with your scholarly record.  The third can be an additional academic reference or professional reference from someone who knows you well and can comment on your potential as a graduate student).
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Have completed 15 credit hours of undergraduate economics, including intermediate microeconomic theory and intermediate macroeconomic theory (upper division courses).
• Have completed courses in calculus and statistics (preferably a year of calculus and a course in econometrics or similar upper division statistics course.  A course in linear algebra and/or differential equations is recommended).
• Submit GRE scores.  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 in economics score 154 or above (690 or above using the prior test scale) on the quantitative section of the GRE. However, this is not a minimum GRE cutoff score, nor is it a score above which admission is guaranteed. GRE scores are used in conjunction with other indicators of academic success at the Master’s level. Applicants must show strong evidence of quantitative ability either through high grades in math, statistics, and economics courses, a high quant score on the GRE, or preferably both.
• International students must submit TOEFL scores. The minimum required 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 minimum TOEFL scores are a requirement of the Graduate School and cannot be waived by the department of economics. The Graduate School may waive the TOEFL requirement for applicants who have attended a college or university in the United States as a full-time student and have completed two semesters of academic work with a “B” average (3.0 GPA or higher). Please contact the International Admissions office if you have questions about this requirement.

Application Deadlines:                    

Fall - June 1

Spring - December 1

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 in advance the application deadline.

International students who apply after the June 1 or December 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 Admissions.