Graduate programs

The Department of Economics offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees.

Admission requirements

Economics M.S./M.A.

Environmental and Resource Economics Graduate Certificate

Admission requirements

Master of Science or Master of Arts

Admission to the Master’s program in the Department of Economics requires, in addition to the University admissions requirements:

  1. GPA Requirements: Admission to the Economics program is highly competitive and requires a minimum of a 3.00 GPA in overall undergraduate coursework.
  2. Coursework: Undergraduate courses in Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Statistics, Econometrics and Multivariate Calculus, as well as Linear Algebra, are required for admission.
  3. Testing: Minimum GRE scores of 300 (quantitative and verbal combined; 1100 by the old GRE scale). Request that Educational Testing Services (ETS) send a copy of your scores to 4610 (Department of Economics at PSU). The GMAT with a score of 520 or higher may be considered in lieu of the GRE. The TOEFL is required for University admission for international students, unless they have a degree from a university in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand or the U.S. See University minimum TOEFL requirements at http://www.pdx.edu/admissions/english-language-proficiency-requirements-graduate.
  4. Recommendations: Three (3) letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from Economics professors, should be sent either by mail to: Department of Economics, PSU, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751 or by email to Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Economics at econ@pdx.edu.
  5. Statement of Purpose: Approximately 500-word essay on goals and aspirations for entering and completing the graduate program.
  6. Application/Transcripts: Official transcripts from any other institutions (other than PSU) you may have attended. You will need an official transcript sent to the PSU Admissions Office for University admission AND an official transcript sent to the Department of Economics, PSU, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751.