Application Checklist
1. Complete the Graduate School Application form online.
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 on the Graduate School Admission website.
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

Questions?
For further information, refer first to the MSGF Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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.
Tuition & Fees:
Tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year is $2000 per credit.
Student Fees:
Segregated Fees:
International Student Fees:
Document Fee:
SHIP Health Insurance:
Financial Support:
Financial support for students enrolled in the Master of Science in Economics Program is not offered by the Economics Department or the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Economics Program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution. Accepting any positions which grant tuition waiver while enrolled in the program may lead to the removal of the student from the M.S. in Economics student cohort. Corporate tuition support is not included in these categories, nor is the waiver of tuition due to veteran status.