When you apply, the Office of Graduate Admissions (OGP), the office where applications are processed for the College of Arts and Sciences, begins a file on you. Once that file is complete with all the required supporting documentation, your application is forwarded to the Department of Economics for the Director’s review. The department does not see applications or any supporting documentation until the OGP forwards completed applications to the department. The Director of the program begins reviewing completed applications shortly after the application deadline of March 1st. We receive approximately 100 applications for 18-20 spots in the program.
A GPA of 3.0 or higher strengthens an application. In reviewing applications, the Program Director looks for strong background in math. The more math and the higher the level of math taken strengthens an application. Generally speaking, most accepted students typically have a GPA or 3.4 or higher.
No, the GRE is not required. However, you may submit a GRE test score as extra supporting documentation if you feel it strengthens your application. Tests Requirements: https://www.usfca.edu/templates/as_econg_home.aspx?id=4294982884
The program offers a small number of scholarships on a competitive basis. Scholarships are conditional on maintaining a 3.4 GPA each semester while in the program. The scholarships can--range anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000 total. Applicants to the program—both domestic and international--are automatically considered for these scholarships; therefore, there is no separate application for scholarship consideration. If a student is awarded a scholarship, it is noted in the first paragraph of his/her acceptance letter.
The priority application deadline for Fall applications is March 1. Completed applications on file (includes a Certificate of Finance and a TOEFL score for international students) at these times will be reviewed for admission and for limited number of scholarships. Fall applications completed after the March 1 deadline will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis until April 1.
The M.A. in Economics program consists of 33 units. The Fall 2012 current graduate tuition rate is $1,130 per unit. The number of courses that students are required to take to complete the program will depend on which economic classes you have previously taken.
Full-time graduate students typically take 6-9 units per semester. Each class is 3 or 4 units, so that works out to two or three classes per semester. The length of time required to complete the program varies from 3-5 semesters depending on the workload the student wishes to undertake.
Many of the M.A. in Economics courses are offered in the evening so it is possible to structure your studies in a part-time way.
The program only begins in Fall; there is no Spring start.
Courses taken from another university would need to be evaluated by the Program Advisor. This process of evaluation would take place after a student is accepted into the program and has his/her first advising session with the Program Advisor. Depending on the syllabus, the course may or may not be credited.
You can either apply online at or send a paper application (downloadable online as well). Follow this link: http://web.usfca.edu/templates/grad_inside.aspx?id=2147484120 All applications and all supporting documentation should be sent directly to our Arts & Sciences Office of Graduate Programs (OGP)--not to the Department of Economics. Any documents submitted online are directed to our OGP. Once the OGP has received all your supporting documentation: college transcripts, two letters of recommendations and a statement of purpose essay (international students must also submit a certificate of finance and TOEFL score), the OGP then forwards your completed file to the Department of Economics for admission review. University of San Francisco Office of Graduate Programs 2130 Fulton Street, Harney 240 San Francisco, CA 94117 Tel: 415 422-5603
The Director begins reviewing completed applications that have been forwarded to the Department by the OGP shortly after the first priority deadline of March 1st. Admission decisions are generally finalized within approximately 3-4 weeks thereafter. As long as there are spots remaining in the program, the Directors continue to review any completed applications that are forwarded to the Department by the second priority deadline of April 1, 2013. Any applications that are not complete after April 1st are not reviewed.
We must receive your $600 non-refundable deposit (that is applied to your Fall tuition) by the deadline indicated in your acceptance letter. If we do not receive your deposit by that deadline, we cannot guarantee a spot in the Fall program.
Teaching Assistantships are based on GPAs. At the beginning of the second semester, a list of Economics graduate students in the top 10% of their class is sent to the Economics faculty. Faculty may pick a Teaching Assistant from this list, but they are not obligated to do so.
The M.A. in Economics is more theoretically oriented, and requires comprehensive examinations in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. The Master's in International and Development Economics, in contrast, is oriented towards empirical field research, and culminates in a 30-40 page research paper based upon the required summer field research.
https://www.usfca.edu/artsci/econg/faculty/
No, your TOEFL would automatically be waived.
Follow this link: http://www.usfca.edu/artsci/graduate/financialaid/#Grants
Accepted students will receive their I-20 along with their acceptance letter. If the I-20 is not with the acceptance letter, it will come under separate mail within approximately 15 business days.
Follow this link: http://www.usfca.edu/artsci/graduate/financialaid/#Grants
