Graduate Applicants

Tuition & Funding

Economics MA

Our MA degree is 45 credits and can be completed in two academic years. For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition is $1,718 per credit. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and students pay an average of $19,328 annually. 

Economics Certificate

Our Certificate is 16 credits and can be completed in one academic year. For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition is $1,718 per credit. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and students pay an average of $13,744 annually. 

Economics & Social Policy 4+1 (BA+MS)

Our 4+1 program allows you to graduate with a BA & MS in five years. For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition is $1,718 per credit. All students admitted to the MS receive a scholarship covering 33% of the graduate tuition. For more information about funding for the 4+1, contact the director of graduate studies, Juan Carlos Lopez.

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Admission Requirements & Deadlines

• Economics MA

  Deadlines

  Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

  • Priority deadline: February 15, 2025
  • Final submission deadline: July 15, 2025
  • International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

  Winter 2026 quarter (beginning in January)

  • Final submission deadline: November 18, 2025
  • International submission deadline: September 8, 2025

  Spring 2026 quarter (beginning in March)

  • Final submission deadline: February 24, 2026
  • International submission deadline: December 8, 2025

  Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

  Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

  Note

  Applicants who need financial aid will have a smaller chance of being awarded such if their applications are submitted after the priority deadline.

  Degrees and GPA Requirements

  Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

  Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.

  Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

• Economics Certificate

  Deadlines

  Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

  • Priority deadline: February 15, 2025
  • Final submission deadline: July 15, 2025
  • International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

  Winter 2026 quarter (beginning in January)

  • Final submission deadline: November 18, 2025
  • International submission deadline: September 8, 2025

  Spring 2026 quarter (beginning in March)

  • Final submission deadline: February 24, 2026
  • International submission deadline: December 8, 2025

  Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

  Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

  Degrees and GPA Requirements

  Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

  Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.

  Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

• Economics & Social Policy 4+1 (BA+MS)

  Eligibility

  The Economics & Social Policy MS is only available as a dual-degree program in combination with the BA in Economics. Current undergraduate students at the University of Denver pursuing the BA in Economics as a declared first or second major may apply. To apply, at least 20 credits of economics courses must be completed with a 3.5 or greater.

  Application Timing

  • Students must complete 20 credits of economics courses (with a 3.5 or better) prior to applying.
  • The application must be submitted before the end of the first quarter as a senior (before 135 credits have been completed).

  
  Application Instructions

  To indicate your interest in the Economics & Social Policy MS, please contact our director of graduate studies, Juan Carlos Lopez, or the chair of the department, Markus Schneider.

• Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers and International Applicants

  Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

  Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

  The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

  • Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80
  • Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
  • Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176
  • Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

  English Conditional Acceptance Offered: No, this program does not offer English Conditional Admission.

  • Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.
  • Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

  Additional Standards for International Applicants

  Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

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Application Materials

• Economics MA

  Your application will need to include the following materials:

  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Essays and Statements
     

  See below for details.

  Transcripts

  We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

  Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

  Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

  Letters of Recommendation

  Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

  Essays and Statements

  Personal Statement Instructions

  Your statement should detail the personal / academic / career goals that you believe a graduate degree in economics will help you achieve. In addition, we are looking for a statement that addresses why you are seeking a degree from our department specifically, and how prepared you feel for taking graduate-level economics classes.

• Economics Certificates

  Your application will need to include the following materials:

  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Essays and Statements
  • Résumé
     

  See below for details.

  Transcripts

  We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

  Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

  Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

  Letters of Recommendation

  Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

  Essays and Statements

  Personal Statement Instructions

  A personal statement of academic and professional goals of at least 300 words is required.

  Résumé

  The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

• Economics & Social Policy 4+1 (BA+MS)

  Your application will need to include the following materials:

  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Essays and Statements
     

  See below for details.

  Transcripts

  We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

  Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

  Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

  Letters of Recommendation

  Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

  Essays and Statements

  Personal Statement Instructions

  Your statement should detail the personal / academic / career goals that you believe a graduate degree in economics will help you achieve. In addition, we are looking for a statement that addresses why you are seeking a degree from our department specifically, and how prepared you feel for taking graduate-level economics classes.

• Application Fee

  Application Fee

  Application Fee: $65.00

  Fee Waivers

  MA/Certificate Programs

  • Colorado Residents: Application fee waivers are available to Colorado residents who apply to MA or certificate programs in the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences prior to the priority deadline.
  • Limited numbers of MA/Certificate application fee waivers are also available for the following groups (first-come, first-served):
    • Americorps, City Year, and Peace Corps Alumni
    • Veterans
    • DU Alumni

  
  Fee Waiver Process

  1. Submit all of your application materials, including your transcripts and letters of recommendation. Do not pay the fee.
  2. Contact cahssgradinquiry@du.edu to request a fee waiver.
  3. You will receive a notification when your fee waiver has been applied to your account. Once the fee waiver is applied we will review your application.
      

  International Degree Evaluation Fee

  International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00

  Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States. Fees for degree evaluation are not waived.

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