Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Wisconsin Economics Master’s program come from a variety of backgrounds. All majors, including non-econ majors, are welcome to apply. Students with strong STEM backgrounds and English skills will receive priority in the admission process.
All international degree-seeking applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. See the Graduate School requirements for English proficiency.
For the Economics Master’s program, GRE scores are not required. Applicants may still submit GRE scores if they wish. If a GRE score report is submitted, it will be considered as one part of a holistic evaluation of the application.
Timing of Admissions Process:
Fall Admission Deadline: March 1st, 2026
*Applicants who apply by Jan. 15, 2026 can receive a response by March 1st, 2026
Spring semester admission: Applicants for the spring semester follow the application process listed below. Materials are due by July 15. For additional information and eligibility, please contact MS program coordinator, Huiming Wang (hwang253@wisc.edu).
Master’s Program Application Checklist:
1: Fill out the Graduate School Online Electronic Application at: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/
You will select the “Economics MS – Graduate Foundations” program. If you wish to apply to both the Economics PhD and an Economics MS program (Graduate Foundations and/or Financial Economics), you must submit separate applications. To complete the application, you will need to submit the following materials (in PDF format):
- Statement of Purpose.
- All transcripts from the universities or colleges you have attended: Please scan all transcripts from all your degree-granting institutions and any other institution where you have been enrolled and upload the pdf file(s) to your application. The transcript uploaded must match the official transcript and there should be no changes or edits made to it. Do not upload any high school transcripts. International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Your school should provide an official translation of your documents; otherwise, have a translation done by your school or an official translator. In some countries, these people are also notaries. Do not submit an evaluation from a credential evaluation service in lieu of a translation.
- Math Preparation Form: Please complete the Math Preparation form. Complete either the PDF version or Word version of the document. If you complete the form in Word, save the document as a PDF file. Upload the completed document; the file must be in PDF file format.
- Resume/CV: All applicants must submit a resume or CV in English. Please upload your resume/CV in PDF file format.
- Graduate School Application fee: This fee is required to complete the application. Information on the fee is available here: https://grad.wisc.edu/admissions/faq
2. Provide at least two letters of recommendation. Letters must be submitted electronically by your references. Your application is incomplete until all letters of recommendation are received. Please instruct your references not to send any paper-based letters by mail.
3. All international degree-seeking applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. See the Graduate School requirements page for English proficiency. You can also find information on how to send official GRE and English proficiency test scores on the application requirements page. You may send your GRE test score to the Graduate School if you wish, although the GRE is not required.
Note: More information regarding the English proficiency requirement, the online application, fees, and Graduate School frequently asked questions (FAQs) is available at the Graduate School admissions page.
Additional Information:
Refer first to the economics master’s program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If you have additional questions, please contact us at the Department of Economics, William H. Sewell Social Science Building, 1180 Observatory Drive, Room 7470, Madison, WI 53706-1393; or by emailing the Master’s Program Advisor.