Apply Online Now for Fall 2013
The M.A. in Economics program starts each Fall (late August) and is only offered during the Fall. The application deadline is March 1.
Please note: The Department of Economics offers two graduate programs – the M.A. in Economics, and the M.A. in International and Development Economics. Applicants can apply to only one of these programs in the start term to which they have applied.
Apply online and upload all required application documents listed below. Once all application items have been received, applications will be reviewed for admission and for a limited number of scholarships. It is best to apply as early as possible, before the deadline.
Completed applications on file at USF at the time of the deadline will be given priority consideration for admission and financial assistance offered by the Economics program. Applications are accepted and reviewed after the deadline until the upcoming program is full. Applicants are encouraged to submit all of their application items earlier than the date listed above.
Admission decisions are mailed after the March 1 deadline. Included in the admission decision letter will be notification of any scholarship awarded by the graduate program. Once the class for the fall program is filled, later qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
- Online Application – Online application and application fee of $55.
- Transcripts – Transcript from each university or college attended.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose – A two-to-three page Statement of Purpose that describes the strengths and any weaknesses of your academic background, research interests, reasons for pursuing a Master's program in Economics at the University of San Francisco and your educational and career goals.
- International students are required to submit an English language test score (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE), a completed Certification of Finance form with supplemental bank statements (see International Students), and a copy of your passport.
The GRE is optional and not required for admission. An applicant may want to submit their GRE results if they believe it might strengthen their application.
An TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score is required of international applicants. A minimum TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) is required for consideration. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or higher is required. After review of an application, coursework in USF's Intensive English Program may be recommended or required. The USF school code for the GRE and the TOEFL is 6996 or 4850. In addition, the Economics program requires that students with scores between 79 and 100 on the TOEFL iBT (550 and 600 on PBT) complete a Graduate Writing/Speaking course at USF in the first semester of graduate studies at USF. This information is included in the admission letter.
There is no strict GPA requirement for admission to the graduate program. In general, however, a GPA of 3.0 or higher strengthens an application to any graduate program. For this Master's program, the Department of Economics gives particular attention to academic performance in courses taken in economics, statistics, calculus and finance.
Start your application online and complete all required sections, including uploading required unofficial documents. All application items (for example, resume, official transcripts, English language test scores, and recommender information) must be uploaded before you submit your application. Once you submit, your application will be incomplete until your recommenders submit their online letter of recommendation
Check your online application frequently to monitor the status of your application. Please contact the Economics Program office directly with questions about an admission decision after your application is complete.
All applicants who have their application and all required documents on file in the Office of Graduate Programs by March 1 will be notified of their admission status by mail in late March or early April. Included in the admission decision letter will be notification of any financial assistance awarded by the Economics graduate program.
All students who are admitted to the graduate program are required to submit a tuition deposit of $600 to reserve a space in the program after notification of admission is received. The tuition deposit deadline is included in the student's letter of admission. If a tuition deposit is not received by the due date, then the student’s admission may be canceled and that student space offered to another qualified applicant on the wait list.
If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident, you can begin the free application process for a U.S. federal student loan at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The USF federal school code for the FAFSA is 001325. For any financial assistance offered by the Department of Economics, all applicants (US domestic and international) will be considered and notified of such an award in the admission letter. There is no separate application for this assistance.
Admitted students will be contacted in the summer by the Department of Economics with details about the advising and registration schedule for late August. The M.A. in Economics program also requires attendance at the Economics Program Orientation in late August before classes begin. The Economics Department can be contacted at 415.422.2765 or bpena@usfca.edu.
International students are required to also attend the International Student Orientation in August. It is highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall in order to finalize housing arrangements and attend the International Student Orientation. Contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services for details and dates about the International Student Orientation at isss@usfca.edu.
International students should note that the earliest arrival in the United States that an F-1 visa allows is 30 days before the start date on the I-20 form issued to you.
