How to Apply
Fall 2027 Application Now Open
The Fall 2027 application is now open. Apply by the priority deadline of January 15 to be considered for all scholarships.
Application Instructions
The application process is entirely online. Please complete and/or upload all of the items listed below to your application account.
At USF College of Arts and Science, your graduate application is reviewed by faculty and staff from the program to which you are applying. We review applications holistically, and the best way for us to understand your background and your academic and professional goals is for your supporting documents to reflect your own writing, not AI-generated content. Please refrain from using AI-generated content in your application materials.
The Department of Economics offers two graduate programs — the MS in Applied Economics and the MS in International and Development Economics. Applicants can apply to only one of these programs.
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Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, preferably in economics, from an accredited institution by the start of the Master’s program. The program is quantitative with a focus on international and development economics. A GPA of 3.0 or higher strengthens an application, and the admission committee gives particular attention to undergraduate classes in economics, statistics and calculus.
Students with a non-economics bachelor’s may be eligible for admission, and will be required to complete, as advised, undergraduate classes in calculus, statistics, intermediate microeconomics and intermediate macroeconomics as a USF graduate student.
Admitted students might consider refreshing their knowledge in a math, economics, or finance subject area through the Khan Academy.
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The GRE or GMAT are not required, but may be useful as additional evidence of quantitative ability. USF school code for GRE and TOEFL is 4850, and 91M-3X-08 for GMAT.
For international applicants, an English Language exam score (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) is required.
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Upload a copy of your transcript from each university and college attended. Please ensure the institution’s name and your name is on the document you upload. Transcripts from any schools and study abroad programs must be submitted since Bachelor's Degree institutions typically do not list transfer and study abroad courses with grades. If still enrolled in your Bachelor's program, submit a copy of your transcript showing in-progress courses. If admitted, an official transcript with proof of graduation is required. USF undergraduates upload their unofficial transcripts for admission review and do not need to send an official USF transcript.
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The two-to-three page statement of purpose describes the strengths and weaknesses of your academic background, research interests, reasons for pursuing this graduate program in particular, and your educational and career goals.
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Your current resume or CV lists and describes your educational history, work or job history, coursework related to this graduate program, and any experiences relevant to your pursuit of graduate studies – including internships, published articles or other published materials, volunteer/community service experience, study or work outside of your home country, and any interests or activities related to this graduate program.
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One letter of recommendation is required to complete your application. Additional letters area accepted, but they are not required. Recommenders may be academic (e.g., professors, research advisors) or professional (e.g., supervisors, managers). Academic letters should address your academic ability and readiness for graduate study; professional letters should highlight your relevant experience and potential for growth
To request a letter, enter your recommender's contact information in the online application. This will trigger an email with upload instructions sent directly to them. You do not need to wait for your recommender to submit their letter before submitting your application.
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There are additional items and instructions for international applicants.
What does the review committee look for in reviewing applications for admission?
The committee looks for at least a B grade or better in math courses, statistics, and calculus course(s). It helps strengthen an application if a student has already taken an intermediate micro and macro course with a grade of B or better. It also strengthens an application if a student is proficient in another language that is spoken in a developing country. Strong letters of recommendation (two are required) also strengthen an application, in addition to a well written statement of purpose that explains why an applicant is interested in this particular focus of economics.
When are application decisions made?
The admission committee begins the review of completed applications shortly after the Priority Application Date listed here. Admission decisions are generally finalized within approximately four weeks. After that period, completed applications are reviewed on a space-available basis.