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.
The TOEFL examination is required only if you are a non-native English Speaker. In most cases, students required to take the test must achieve a score of 92 or better.
For the Economics Master’s program, GRE scores are waived for Fall 2023. 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.
*The application portal requires a writing sample. For the purpose of admission into the MS program, applicants can upload a personal statement in lieu of a writing sample.*
Timing of Admissions Process:
Fall 2023 Admission Deadline: March 1st, 2023*
*Applications are accepted until March 15th
Fall 2023 Fast Track Application Timeline
•Applicants who apply by Nov. 1, 2022, will receive a response by Dec. 15, 2022
•Applicants who apply by Jan. 1, 2023, will receive a response by Feb. 15, 2023
Spring semester admission: The Department of Economics has offered limited spring term admission to those coming from partnership institutions and those with exceptional backgrounds. Applicants for 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 Economics MS programs (fall semester only), you will select both programs on your application. 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. One official transcript or academic record is required from each degree-granting institution you attended for all undergraduate and graduate courses you have taken. 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 three 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. Arrange for ETS to send your TOEFL scores or IELTS (if required) to the Graduate School. You may also send your GRE score to the Graduate School if you wish, although the GRE is not required.
- The UW-Madison Department of Economics’ institutional and department code is 1846.
- It is very important you use the same name and spelling on the application as you used on the test form to avoid any delay in adding scores to your file.
- The format of your date of birth is very important too. Please use the month/day/year (mm/dd/yyyy) format to avoid delays.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores are accepted if the test is taken within two years of the start of the admission term.
Note: More information regarding the TOEFL 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.