GRADUATE PROGRAM - MA OR PhD?

The department offers the Master of Arts (MA) degree and the PhD degree in Economics.

The MA program is a 33-credit, 2-year degree that provides professional training for students aiming to work with consulting firms, government agencies, self-employment, or corporations; or for students pursuing Master’s work as an exploratory step toward possible PhD studies. Though not intended as a first step to the department’s PhD program, credits earned in the Master’s program can be counted toward the PhD if a student decides to continue.

Starting with the 2009-10 academic year the department will admit, directly into the 72-credit PhD program, students who have suitable undergraduate background at the Bachelor’s degree level, as well as students seeking to transfer from a Master’s program. (Of the 72 credits, up to 9 may be transferred from a Master’s program elsewhere, and up to 30 may be transferred from the Master’s at CSU.) The PhD program prepares students for academic careers at universities and colleges in the US and around the world, as well as for advanced assignments in government agencies or the private sector. The department has a 100% placement record for its PhD graduates, in all recent years.

Students applying to either the MA or PhD program must have appropriate undergraduate training. This may include an economics Bachelor’s degree or similar program of study, and must include satisfactory undergraduate course work in intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, econometrics, and calculus. Applicants who do not meet prerequisites may in some cases may be granted conditional admission, with the expectation that they will meet missing requirements in their first semester at Colorado State, and then be fully admitted to the program.

HOW TO APPLY

Important note: For most applicants, application must be for entry in August (fall semester). January admission will be considered only for applicants whose background includes the equivalent of ECON 501 (Quantitative Methods for Economists) and ECON 635 (Econometric Theory I).

Applicants must complete the on-line university graduate admission application form and must pay the application fee.

In addition, applicants must arrange to have sent directly to the department (Graduate Secretary, Economics, Campus Delivery 1771, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1771, USA) the following materials:

1. Two sets of Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions (other than Colorado State, which we can access directly), and from graduate institutions if relevant.
2. Official reports of GRE test results including the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical scores.
3. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
4. For international student applicants, official reports of TOEFL results (or IELTS).
5. A statement of purpose describing the motivation and objectives for graduate study; this statement can be submitted directly or online in conjunction with the application form.

The department fax number is +1.970.491.2925.

For questions regarding the application process, please email the Coordinator of Graduate Studies at Robert.Kling@ColoState.edu

MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

As a general University policy, the Graduate School requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and the department seeks applicants with GPAs of at least 3.25. In rare instances, applicants with GPAs lower than 3.0, but with documented extenuating circumstances and high qualifications otherwise, may be granted conditional admission and must prove their abilities during their first semester of graduate studies.

Applicants’ undergraduate background must include satisfactory undergraduate course work in intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, econometrics, and calculus. Admission may be granted conditional on completing appropriate background course work.

GRE scores are required (no exceptions, substitutions, or conditional cases) for consideration for admission. The department admissions committee expects a combined Verbal+Quantitative score of at least 1100, with no lower than 650 on the quantitative score. Students with lower scores may be considered when other evidence suggests high potential for success.

University policy requires international students to obtain a minimum TOEFL score of 213 (computer based), 550 (paper based), or 80 (internet based). As an alternative, an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher will be accepted. In some circumstances, admission may be granted conditional on achieving English proficiency; see the Graduate Bulletin for details.

DEADLINES

For entry in August (fall semester), application files should be complete in all respects:

By February 15 for maximum consideration for financial support in the form of teaching assistantships
By June 15 otherwise.

Entry in January (spring semester) is irregular but possible. Application files should be complete by November 15.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The department is frequently able to offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships to well-qualified incoming domestic students in both the MA and PhD programs, with the expectation of continuing support through the normal duration of the degree program, conditional on satisfactory academic progress. Assistantships include a monthly stipend for the 9-month academic year, and a full tuition scholarship. To be considered for support, applicants need only check the relevant box on the application form. Occasional summer support may also be available

LIFE IN FORT COLLINS

Fort Collins is a vibrant small city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, 60 miles north of Denver.

With a population of approximately 140,000, it is large enough to offer a variety of amenities — recreational, cultural, educational, health, commercial — while being small enough to maintain easy access and a friendly atmosphere. The campus is centrally located. The city boasts an excellent network of bike trails and bike routes, and offers a public bus system. Fort Collins offers an abundance of music, theater, dance, and other cultural activities, with even more available down the road in Denver. Restaurants are plentiful.

City parks are numerous, and the western edge of town borders county recreation areas and state parks. National Forests and Rocky Mountain National Park are within easy driving distance. With a combination of magnificent natural areas, significant public investment in recreation options, numerous accessible ski areas, and an average of at least 300 days of sunshine a year, the region is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.

For more about Fort Collins, visit the The City of Fort Collins Website

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