Frequently Asked Questions

I am an international applicant. Do I need to have my international transcripts evaluated?

The Graduate Admissions Office has staff available to evaluate international transcripts for all applicants who have studies outside the United States. This service is provided free of charge. The process begins when the Graduate Admissions Office receives the application, application fee, and official transcripts with English translations (if necessary). The process generally takes 6-8 weeks, so international applicants are encouraged to apply at least 8 weeks prior to the domestic deadline to ensure that the Graduate Admissions Office has time to complete the evaluation prior to that deadline.

Applicants who wish to have an evaluation performed more quickly are welcome to contact any of the accredited evaluation services listed online at http://www.naces.org/members.htm. Prices and processing times may vary. The evaluation of international transcripts is required for all applicants who have studied outside the United States, so please keep in mind that international applications are considered incomplete until a completed evaluation has been completed or received by the Graduate Admissions Office.

If I want a Ph.D., should I start with a Masters?

Applicants to the Ph.D. program are not required to have a Masters degree prior to beginning our doctoral program. Our M.A. degree program is a self-contained course of study for students who are not planning to pursue the Ph.D. program at George Mason University. Students who plan to pursue our Ph.D. degree can earn a Masters while pursuing the Ph.D. and should apply directly to the doctoral program.

How are admissions decisions made?

Both Masters and Ph.D. admissions decisions are based on GRE scores, grade point averages, letters of recommendation, and the written statement of purpose. Each application is evaluated as a total package; we do not adhere to rigid numerical formulas. Our average incoming M.A. student has a GPA of 3.4 and GRE scores of 580 verbal and 740 quantitative. Our average incoming Ph.D. student has a GPA of 3.6 and GRE scores of 620 verbal and 760 quantitative. Students receiving funding score higher in all areas than our average students.

What are my chances of getting in?

Each year we aim for Ph.D. and Masters classes in the range of 25-35 people (these targets are not always met, however). In recent years, the number of Masters applicants has been about twice that number and the number of Ph.D. applicants about 6 times that number. Admissions decisions are made on the criteria mentioned above.

What are my chances for financial aid?

Financial aid is available for applicants at the Ph.D. level only. Research assistantships typically bring a tuition waiver plus a stipend. The number of research assistantships available each year, and the size of the stipend, depends upon our allocation from the University. In a typical year we will award fewer than 8 assistantships, with stipends ranging from $8,000 to $12,500 for the academic year. Assistantships are awarded to both domestic and international students based on academic performance and research interests.

Other assistantships are sometimes available from the Center for Market Processes (934-6970), and from the Public Choice Center, which is attached to the economics department. You may also research financial aid options offered through the university by visiting the Financial Aid Office website at http://apollo.gmu.edu/finaid/.

How long does it take to finish a Ph.D. program?

The program is designed so that a full-time student (9 hours a semester) takes 2 ½ years of class work and then writes a dissertation. Finishing in four years is entirely feasible, although many students take much longer.

Do you take part-time students?

Most of our Masters students are part-time. Approximately half of the entering Ph.D. class is part-time. For this reason, most of our classes are held in the evening, with class times at 4:30-7:10pm and 7:20-10:00pm. Part-time Masters students should plan to take two classes per semester during the first year so that they can take the theory exams during the following summer. Part-time Ph.D. students should plan to take two classes per semester at least one semester per year so that they can finish 48 credit hours and advance to candidacy within the 6 year time limit.

Which courses are available each year?

The most current fall and spring schedules are the best guide to expected course offerings in the future. The catalog is rather over-optimistic; it lists many courses that are taught only rarely.

What are the strengths of the GMU Economics program?

We are especially strong in public choice (the economics of government decision-making), law and economics, Austrian or “market process” economics, history of economic thought, and economic history.

What courses should I take in my first year?

A typical Ph.D. first-year course of study would include two semesters each of micro and macro, and one semester each of Mathematical Economics and Econometrics. Part-time students will usually take less than this full load. Masters students should take two semesters of micro and one semester of macro (usually offered in the spring). It is recommended that Masters students also take Mathematical Economics, which is usually offered in the fall. A full-time Masters student should supplement the core and recommended course work with one elective class per semester. The special topics are usually best suited for first-year Masters electives.

Ph.D. students must take the micro and macro classes held at the Main Campus; Masters students must take those held at the Metro Campus.

Ph.D. or Masters students who take any combination of the above courses do not need any further permission from the graduate director or program coordinator.

How is the Ph.D. program structured?

After the first year, students have the opportunity to take comprehensive exams in microeconomics and macroeconomics. These exams are given every August and January. Students who fail either exam twice must leave the Ph.D. program, and may elect to transfer into the Masters program.

During the second year, students take the required course work in each of two fields. After the second year, students take the field exams for the two fields that they have chosen. A student cannot flunk out of the program by failing field exams, but may be asked to pick a new field if the same exam is failed twice.

What fields of study are available for Ph.D. students?

We currently have fields available in industrial organization, public choice, monetary economics, Austrian economics, Constitutional economics, experimental economics, law and economics, international economics, and public finance. Field exams are currently offered in each of these areas.

If your question has not been answered on this page, please email the graduate studies coordinator.