Just the FAQs
General
- Is there a departmental application fee?
- What is the difference between the MA in Economics and the MA in Applied Economics programs?
- If I complete the MA in Applied Economics degree will I have direct entry into the PhD program?
- Can I transfer courses from the MA Applied Economics to a PhD program?
- I work, could I pursue a graduate degree part-time?
- Are there summer classes?
- Can I register to begin my PhD or MA in Applied Economics program for a spring or summer semester?
The Application Process
- How do I apply for the program?
- Which of the admissions criteria are most important?
- Can I find out by telephone whether I have been accepted or denied admission to the program?
- What are the guidelines for recommendation letters?
- Is a writing sample necessary?
Transfers & Waivers
- Being a graduate student in another College on UH campus, can I take Economics graduate classes before I apply to the program that will count if I am admitted?
- Can I transfer graduate classes taken elsewhere (i.e., in another University) that are similar to the courses in the PhD program or the MA Applied Economics program?
- Can I substitute Economics Courses in the MA Applied Economics program with graduate courses of my interest from other majors and/ or institutions, for example: classes from Finance, Political Science?
GRE & TOEFL
- Is the GRE required?
- Do you accept GMAT scores instead of GRE scores?
- What is the minimum score required for the GRE exam?
- If I take the GRE more than once, are my scores averaged?
- Is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) REQUIRED?
- What must I score on the TOEFL or IELTS to be considered?
- Must I also take the Test of Written English (TWE)?
- Although my education was completed overseas, I am now a U.S. citizen, so will UH waive the TOEFL?
- If I take the TOEFL more than once, are my scores averaged?
Experience & Degrees
- Must I have an undergraduate degree to enter the graduate program?
- What undergraduate major is required?
Scholarships, Assistantships & Financial Aid
General
Is there a departmental application fee?
Currently, there is a $50 application fee for domestic students. The fee for International Students is $80. Do NOT send any money to the department. This fee needs to be paid at the time of submitting the CollegeNet/Applyweb application. If you are an International student, please follow the instructions on the Graduate School’s International Admissions page. All applicants must pay the required application fees at the time of submission of the CollegeNet application. Without the payment of fees, it will not be possible to successfully submit the application. You may find more information regarding fees here: http://www.uh.edu/financial/graduate/tuition-fees/college-fees/.
What is the difference between the MA in Economics and the MA in Applied Economics programs?
The MA in Economics is part of our PhD program. It contains rigorous theoretical training and is not intended to be a terminal, stand-alone degree. Thus, it may not be as useful for finding private industry jobs as an applied degree. If you are interested in becoming an academic researcher (professor), then the PhD track would be more appropriate. The first 3- 4 semesters of the PhD program typically make up the MA in Economics degree. Applicants may not apply directly to our MA in Economics program.
The MA in Applied Economics is designed to be a terminal degree. Training in the program will be less theoretical and will focus more on application and the development of quantitative skills. Thus, the degree is more useful for jobs (private, government and non-profit) requiring quantitative skills, but that do not require the theoretical rigor of a PhD program.
If I complete the MA in Applied Economics degree will I have direct entry into the PhD program?
No. You would need to apply to our PhD program in order to be admitted.
If I am later admitted to a PhD program, can I transfer courses from the MA Applied Economics to a PhD program?
No. The University of Houston PhD program will not accept transfer courses from the MA Applied Economics program (or vice versa). These programs are completely separate and there is no overlap. It is typical for all university PhD programs to deny transfer courses from any other master degree. Most departments will require students to complete all PhD courses required by their own program. There may be some exceptions, but this is generally the case.
I work, could I pursue a graduate degree part-time?
While permission to enroll part-time in our PhD program may be granted in very unusual circumstances, the Department strongly discourages part-time enrollment. The Department offers no night classes, so you must be able to take classes during the day. Graduate classes generally are offered between 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday (with most classes starting between 10am and 1pm).
The M.A. in Applied Economics program is also full-time with 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and 6 hours in the summer. Classes meet during the day but we do intend to schedule all fall and spring courses in the program for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to allow flexibility in your weekly personal and/or job schedule. We do not recommend that you work (at a job) more than 20 hours per week while enrolled in this program.Are there summer classes?
All traditional classroom courses for both programs will be completed during the fall and spring semester. However, the MA Applied Economics program concludes with a 6 credit hour project or a 6 credit hour internship during the summer after all coursework is complete.
Can I apply to begin the PhD or MA Applied Economics program in the spring or summer semester?
No. Admission is only for the FALL semester.
The Application Process
How do I apply for the program?
All students should carefully read the Admissions Process information at http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/prospective-students/how-to-apply/
If you are interested in applying for both the PhD and M.A. Applied Economics programs, you must complete 2 applications. You will have to submit materials for each program. Alternatively, if you apply for the PhD program and are not accepted, you can request that the MA Applied committee review your application. They will likely request a new personal statement.Which of the admissions criteria are most important?
Applications are considered in their entirety. While strengths vary from one applicant to another, we seek those students who combine strong academic aptitude & quantitative analytical aptitude. For PhD applicants, we also look for evidence of both commitment and ability to engage in cutting-edge research.
Can I find out by telephone whether I have been accepted or denied admission to the program?
No. Decisions are conveyed by email; there are no exceptions. You may also check your application status by logging on to myUH.
What are the guidelines for recommendation letters?
Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online portal. There is a ranking form and space to upload or paste a letter. Letters from those who are familiar with your academic performance are preferable, although letters from other referees can be accepted. The purpose of the letters of recommendation, as is the case with all required application materials, is to make the best case you possibly can for your admission to graduate studies in the relevant program. Academic referees obviously will help that cause more than other types because they will address your academic abilities.Is a writing sample necessary?
The Personal Statement, required of all applicants to the graduate program, serves the same purpose as the writing sample. It should demonstrate your ability to create and communicate in a concise format and should be no longer than 2 pages. PhD applicants are encouraged to submit a research paper (such as an undergraduate thesis or a term paper) if available.
Transfers & Waivers
Being a graduate student in another College on UH campus, can I take Economics graduate classes before I apply to the program that will count if I am admitted?
No. You must be admitted to the program before enrolling in any graduate course in Economics.
Can I transfer graduate classes taken elsewhere (i.e., in another University) that are similar to the courses in the PhD program or the MA Applied Economics program?
No. We do not accept transfer courses for either program. You must complete all requirements of each program in residence at UH.
Can I substitute Economics Courses in the MA Applied Economics program with graduate courses of my interest from other majors and/ or institutions, for example: classes from Finance, Political Science?
Yes. You must petition and receive approval from the MA in Applied Economics Director. Ideally, approval should be requested in advance of enrolling in the outside class through a General Petition Form. You should include a course description and, if possible, a syllabus for the course.
In some cases, you may request approval for a course that has already been completed. You will need to fill out a General Petition Form and submit it along with official transcripts showing completion of the class.
GRE, TOEFL & GPA
For Fall 2025 PhD admissions, submission of GRE score is optional but recommended. Scanned copies of GRE scores will be accepted.
For MA Applied Economics admissions, submission of GRE score is optional. The GRE may be helpful for applicants with weaknesses in other areas, but is not required for the application to be considered complete.
If you choose to take the GRE, you may set up an appointment to take it on campus. For information regarding graduate-level testing at the University of Houston please visit the University Testing Services.
Do you accept GMAT scores instead of GRE scores?
No. We do not accept GMAT scores.
What is the minimum score required for the GRE exam?
For the MA Applied Economics Program, a total score of 300 under the new scoring system is preferred. However, there is no formal minimum requirement to be considered for admission.
For the PhD program, successful applicants typically score above 160 on the quantitative section of the exam.
If I take the GRE more than once, are my scores averaged?
No. The admissions decision will be based on your highest score. Scores cannot be older than five years.
Is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) required?
Please check the Graduate School's website for updated information. If you earned your undergraduate or master's degree in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, English-speaking Canada, the United Kingdom, or other English-speaking countries listed on the site, the English language proficiency requirement is fulfilled. If not, you must take one of the accepted exams and the scores may not be more than 2 years old. Official score reports must be submitted to the university if you are accepted to our program.
What must I score on an English Language Proficiency test to be considered?
Please check the Graduate School's guidance for test score requirements.
Must I also take the Test of Written English (TWE)?
No, it is not required for admission.
Although my education was completed overseas, I am now a US citizen. Will UH waive the TOEFL/IELTS?
No, unless you meet the conditions outlined above. Whether you are a US citizen (or permanent resident) is not the issue. You must take the TOEFL or IELTS unless you have completed a previous academic degree in one of the countries mentioned above.
If I take the TOEFL or IELTS more than once, are my scores averaged?
No. We consider only your highest score. You may take the test as many times as you like.
Experience & Degrees
Must I have an undergraduate degree to enter the graduate program?
Yes. You must have a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university if you received your education in the United States. If you are an international applicant, your undergraduate degree must be the equivalent of a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree. For specifics on International requirements you may contact the Admissions Office.
Students who are graduating in May or August of the application year are strongly encouraged to apply. For students graduating in May, the committee may request progress reports from instructors of in progress courses. For those graduating in August, conditional admission may be granted pending successful completion of certain courses and/or degree requirements (minimum course grades may be specified on a case by case basis).What undergraduate major is required for the M.A. in Applied Economics program?
No particular undergraduate major is required in order to pursue the MA Applied Economics. However, we do require the following pre-requisite coursework (or equivalents): ECON 3332 Intermediate Microeconomic, ECON 3334 Intermediate Macroeconomics, ECON 4365 Introduction to Econometrics and MATH 1431 Calculus I or MATH 1314 Calculus for Business and Social Science. All pre-requisite courses should be taken before you start the program, neither after nor concurrently with your first MA Applied Economics classes. Be aware that these courses represent the minimum requirement, and having more advanced coursework in economics will strengthen the applicant's chances of admission.
Scholarships, Assistantships & Financial Aid
What kind of financial aid is available?
The Department of Economics offers aid to PhD students in the form of teaching and/or research assistantships. These awards are extremely competitive. As a stipulation of the award, students must be enrolled full-time (9 hours) and be available to work 20 hours per week for the department. Those receiving departmental assistantships will be evaluated every semester to determine whether departmental aid will continue.
No departmental funding is available for students in the MA Applied Economics program. However, we have a limited number of MA Applied Economics scholarships available. These scholarships cover partial tuition charges and recipients will be selected on the basis of previous academic achievement and their potential for excellence in the field. If you apply for admission to the MA Applied Economics program you are automatically considered for one of our scholarships, but applying early (by early March) will increase your chances of receiving one of these awards. There is no need to submit additional materials. Information regarding other forms of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, fellowships, employment, etc.) can be obtained from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at (713) 743-1010 option 3 or visit them at http://www.uh.edu/enroll/sfa/