The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Economics

About the Programs

Georgetown’s Department of Economics offers four graduate programs: a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Economics, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Economics, a Master of Science in Financial Economics and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economics.

The M.A. in Applied Economics provides students with a solid understanding of the fundamental tools of economic analysis, which can be employed to undertake rigorous analyses of economic issues and economic policies. The focus of this program is in contrast to an alternative professional degree, such as an MBA, which provides the relevant training for a career in business or management. It also is distinct from an M.S. degree in economics, which is frequently considered a stepping stone to a Ph.D. in economics and concentrates on academic contributions.

The M.S. in Economics is an innovative two-year program, recognized as a STEM degree, emphasizing frontier training in econometrics and quantitative economics.

The M.S. in Financial Economics is a two-year, STEM designated degree that provides students with required courses in foundational areas in financial economics, including financial theory, financial markets and institutions, financial econometrics and monetary economics. Students also choose elective courses to explore contemporary economic problems, practical applications and advanced tools in financial and other areas of economics.

The Ph.D. in Economics is a full-time course of study designed for students who seek research careers on the forefront of economic science. The Ph.D. program provides an excellent training environment for future scholars. Located in the nation’s capital, it is ideally situated for both students specializing in pure science and those who wish to study policy informed by the science.

Ph.D. students may choose from among nine fields of specialization:

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Degrees Offered

Admissions Requirements

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the program’s website for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

Undergraduate training in economics is desirable, but exceptions are made in cases of students with appropriate alternative backgrounds. Undergraduate training in statistics and multivariable calculus is required, plus superior performance on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical aptitude sections of the GRE.

The core courses in typical Ph.D. programs in economics, including Georgetown’s, are highly mathematical. The typical matriculant to the Georgetown Ph.D. program has a strong mathematics background and achieves above the 80th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE. Ideally, applicants should have completed three semesters of calculus and one semester each of linear algebra and differential equations. Courses in Real Analysis and/or Measure Theory are highly desirable.

Analytical skills and a strong preparation in mathematics are essential for a successful application.

Application Deadlines

Ph.D. in Economics

M.A. in Applied Economics

M.S. in Economics

M.S. in Financial Economics

Degree Requirements

For the master’s program, students will be expected to complete the minimum of 30 course credits by taking a combination of core and elective courses. For further information please visit the department’s Master’s program webpage.

To attain a Ph.D., a student must complete the Graduate School requirement of 54 credit hours of course work and maintain satisfactory progress in all phases of the course of study. For additional information, please visit the department’s Ph.D. program webpage.