Future students: Graduate admissions
Start your journey to addressing the challenges of a globalized world!
View by
Master of Arts in Economics
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Economics is a stand-alone professional degree. Similar to an M.B.A. but in economics, it does not advance to or provide a foundation for a Ph.D. Our program is a course-based self-funded M.A. degree (teaching or research assistantships are not available) requiring 32 credits of courses. We do not allow a thesis.
- Prerequisites
Basic requirements for the M.A. include:
- Principles of economics (microeconomics and macroeconomics, typically one semester each)
- Intermediate undergraduate microeconomic theory
- Macroeconomic theory
- Econometrics
- First-semester calculus
- Applying to the M.A.
- Admission to the M.A. is on a rolling basis with students entering for the fall and winter semesters. We do not offer enough classes for admission during the spring/summer semester.
- Application deadlines:
- Fall: Jun. 15
- Winter: Nov. 1
- Students who complete this M.A. and decide subsequently to pursue a Ph.D., must formally and separately apply to the Ph.D. and be accepted by the Graduate Committee.
- Transfer credit is not offered.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
We do not require the GRE for M.A. applicants.
- English language proficiency
Applicants from a non-English native language country must pass an English qualifying exam such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or another approved exam.
Exceptions:
- Graduate of a U.S. university (undergraduate or graduate program)
- Applicants who graduated from a university in an English-speaking country.
For details and exceptions, including other testing options and minimum scores, see the English proficiency guidelines.
- Transfer credit
The economics department does not give transfer credits toward the master’s degree. Students who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the director of graduate studies that they have already completed some of the required courses may take alternatives to these courses, subject to the approval of the director of graduate studies. The M.A. requires 32 credits of courses except for those who have officially been accepted into the AGRADE program at Wayne State and those students will be governed by the rules governing AGRADE.
Master of Arts in Economics and Juris Doctor
Admission to this joint program requires applying separately to the Graduate School for acceptance in the M.A. in Economics program in addition to the Law School. Our joint program does not reduce the number of courses you take in either the M.A. or the J.D. program, but we do help you coordinate the economics and law courses.
Ph.D. in Economics
We welcome applications for the Ph.D. in Economics from students who have majored in disciplines other than economics. Economics issues address a wide range of social behaviors, so the Ph.D. student will find it an advantage in a career as an economist to have a broad intellectual background. The M.A. is not a prerequisite to the Ph.D.
- Prerequisites
Basic requirements for the Ph.D. include:
- Principles of Economics (typically two semesters)
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (one semester)
- Intermediate Theory (one semester)
- Introduction to Econometrics
- One or more courses in statistics
- Calculus I: Differential Calculus (MAT 2010): Calculus as the study of change. Definitions, concepts and interpretations of the derivative and the definite and indefinite integrals; differentiation, integration, applications.
- Calculus II: Integral Calculus (MAT 2020): Review the definition of definite integral and fundamental theorem of calculus. Techniques of integration; approximate integration; improper integrals; applications of integration. Sequences and series. Approximating functions by polynomials and Taylor series.
- Calculus III: Multivariate Calculus (MAT 2030): Multivariable calculus with applications. Vectors and vector functions in two and three dimensions, functions of several variables, differentiation, integration and vector calculus.
Additional courses in calculus (including multivariate calculus and integration), as well as linear (matrix) algebra, will strengthen students' preparation for Ph.D. work. If your transcript indicates that you have taken mathematics for economists or the social sciences, your application should specify what your courses covered. Important: If you have studied more math than the foregoing, please indicate that in your letter of interest, referring to the class in your transcript that documents the additional math you studied.
- Applying to the Ph.D.
- Admission to the Ph.D. program is open every other year (ending in odd years, e.g., 2025, 2027) for the fall semester.
- Application deadline: Jan.1 (for fall semester). Applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis. The application fee has been waived.
- Most students are supported by graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs). Fellowships and graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are only available at the Ph.D. level. Admission and financial aid are separate decisions.
- Please indicate if you anticipate funding from outside sources (e.g., government, foundation, Fulbright, etc.) as this affects the number of students we can admit.
- You do not need to find an advisor until your second year in the Ph.D. program.
- We cannot evaluate your application until you have completed your application and it has been reviewed by our Graduate School.
- Transfer credit is not offered.
Additional requirements
- GPA: Admission to the Ph.D. program requires an undergraduate honor point average of at least 3.0 (B).
- Three letters of recommendation
- Letter of interest: Plan to explain the nature of your economics and mathematics background in your letter. Describe the content of prerequisite courses you took in your undergraduate and/or master’s program so we will know how to evaluate the courses. For example, a transcript that says you took Mathematics for Economics or Mathematics for Social Science will not be sufficient for us to determine your preparation.
- Statement of purpose: Applicants must submit a statement of purpose explaining why they want to join our program.
- Transcripts: Applicants may use an unofficial transcript for the application process, but the official transcript is required for admission and will be subject to verification.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Applicants who can take an internationally recognized mathematics skill test, in addition to the GRE, should do so. Test scores on such an exam will be taken into consideration when evaluating the applicant. We recommend students have good grades in Calculus I through III (with particular emphasis on Calculus I and III). See all prerequisites.
Scoring: Scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted to the department as part of the application for admission. Applicants cannot substitute the GMAT or other similar exams for the GRE.
The following codes apply to the GRE:
- Institution, Wayne State University: 1898
- Department, Economics: 1801
We cannot say in advance what GRE score will be sufficient for admission because each cohort is competitive. However, pay special attention to the requirements for economics courses as well as math courses. More is better, but the core theory economics and econometrics courses at the undergraduate level are critical. The competitiveness of the GRE and other test scores will not be evaluated outside the context of the full application pool.
- International students
We urge international students to submit their applications early and follow all procedures regarding application requests and transcripts to allow sufficient time for correspondence, the TOEFL examination, obtaining a visa, transcript verification and evaluation financial aid awards.
Processing international applicants may take two or more months. Once accepted, international students may require several months to make appropriate financial and travel plans. For more information, please consult the international application process guide.
- English language proficiency
Applicants from a non-English native language country must attain either a score of 550 on the TOEFL examination or a score of 85 on the Michigan Test (MELAB). If you earned your degree outside of the U.S., you must establish English proficiency.
Exceptions:
- Graduate of a U.S. university (undergraduate or graduate program)
- Applicants who graduated from a university in an English-speaking country.
Prospective international teaching assistants (ITAs) must take the SPEAK test before they are cleared to teach. For details and exceptions, including other testing options and minimum scores, see the English proficiency guidelines.
Contact 💬
For more information, please contact M.A. and Ph.D. advisor, Michael Belzer.