MA Program

Programs of Study

As part of the Columbian College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Economics offers an M.A. degree program in economics. The MA program requires a combination of specific required course work and electives. The program has both thesis and nonthesis options. The MA degree generally requires two and one half years of part-time study to complete. Class sizes are generally small, and there is substantial opportunity for working with faculty members on an individual basis. For more information on graduate program requirements, please visit our MA requirements page.

Click here to see the current Course Listings.

Financial Aid

All degree candidates may apply for financial aid, but awards go primarily to students in the Ph.D program, where they are awarded on the basis of merit. Most aid is in the form of teaching assistantships, which includes a stipend plus tuition. Some endowed fellowships and University fellowship aid are also available. There are opportunities for research assistantships either on campus or with the many economic research institutions adjacent to campus. For more information on available aid and application procedures, please go to the University's Graduate Admissions page.

Cost of Study

See the Graduate Bulletin for current information about fees and financial regulations.

Living and Housing Costs

There is limited space for graduate students in University- owned apartment buildings. The Foggy Bottom-GWU subway stop is on campus, which makes the University very accessible to the large number of students who live off campus in privately owned apartments. The University's Off-Campus Housing Resource Center (202 994-7221) helps students find adequate housing. Estimated housing, food and other costs are comparable with those in other large cities.

Student Groups

There are approximately 100 graduate degree candidates in economics, with roughly three-quarters in the Ph.D. program. While a majority of students are from the United States, there are international students from many parts of the world. Approximately 40 percent of the graduate students are women. Most students plan careers with government, international agencies, or consulting firms located in the Washington, DC area. The department maintains an active placement service, which aids in these career aspirations. See the University's Student Services, Organizations and Groups page for more information.

Location

The Foggy Bottom area of Washington, DC is a diverse neighborhood, where fashionable residences share the surroundings with the Department of State, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the National Academy of Sciences, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Federal Trade Commission, the Urban Institute, the Office of Management and Budget, and the George Washington University. The University is within easy walking distance of the Mall and many cultural facilities. See the University's "Explore DC" page for more information about Washington, DC

Applying

Applications are accepted for fall semester admission only. The GRE General Test is required of all applicants; no Subject Test is necessary. A TOEFL score of 550 or better is required from all applicants from non- English-speaking countries whose university education was not primarily in English. All applicants should have solid training in calculus and in intermediate microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. Please refer to the University's Graduate Admissions page for information regarding application deadlines and fees (note that while there is a school-wide deadline, the Department will review late M.A. applications space-available basis). Please note that the Economics Department requires two and prefers three recommendation letters from Master's candidates, and requires three letters from PhD candidates.

Correspondence and Information

To receive an application for admission and related graduate program information, please go to the University's Graduate Admissions page. The application is also available online by following the directions on that page. You may also contact the Graduate Admissions office at:

Graduate Admissions
Columbian School of Arts and Sciences
Phillips Hall, Room 107
801 22nd Street, NW
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
Telephone: (202) 994-6210
FAX: (202) 994-6213
E-mail: askccas@gwu.edu

For more information about the Department of Economics, please contact:

Department of Economics
Monroe Hall 340
2115 G Street, NW
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
Telephone: (202) 994-6150
FAX: (202) 994-6147
E-mail: econgrad@gwu.edu

For questions regarding the MA program, please contact the main graduate advisor, Professor Robert Goldfarb, at gldfrb@gwu.edu.

University Policy on Equal Opportunity

The George Washington University does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of the University, including admission to education programs and employment. The University is subject to the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.

Inquires concerning the application of this policy and federal laws and regulations concerning discrimination in education or employment programs and activities may be addressed to Susan B. Kaplan, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, (202) 994-4433, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or to the Director of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission/Washington Field Office.

To request disability accommodations, students should contact the Office of Disability Support Services, (202) 994-8250 (TDD/voice), and employees should contact the Office of Equal Employment Activities, (202) 994-9656 (voice) or 9650 (TDD).