School of Economic Sciences > Graduate Programs > Admissions

Admissions

Application Guidelines

Students should have a complete application submitted by January 10. Earlier application is recommended. The Graduate Records Exam (GRE) is required by the School of Economic Sciences and admittance will not be offered until the examination scores have been received.

Applications to the master’s degree program are accepted only for fall semester. Applicants must have completed a minimum of one course each and be proficient in calculus, statistics, and intermediate-level microeconomic theory.

Prospective graduate students are simultaneously applying for admission to the Graduate School at Washington State University for general admission to graduate studies and to the School of Economic Sciences for admission to the specific degree program. Students must be accepted by both. All formal application material is processed through the Graduate School. General procedures are as follows:

Contact

  1. Apply directly
  2. Official transcripts of all college or university work must be sent directly from the relevant institutions to the Graduate School.
  3. International students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, as indicated by a paper-based TOEFL score of 550 or higher (minimum of 80 for Internet-based test or 213 for computer-based test), and to provide evidence of financial independence. International students should arrange to have an official copy of the TOEFL results sent to WSU, Institution Code #4705. The TOEFL score must be less than two years old by the time of intended enrollment. An advanced degree from a recognized U.S. university may be substituted for the TOEFL exam requirement.
  4. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is required but the GRE economics test is not required. Please have official results sent to the Graduate School at WSU, Institution Code #4705 (get more information on the GRE including test centers and dates).
  5. The School of Economic Sciences also requires a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation and a CV. All materials are to be sent to the graduate school during your application process.
  6. On the on-line application, applicants are required to list the names and contact information, including e-mail addresses, of three references and the referees will be contacted electronically.

Minimum Qualifications for Admission

General requirements: An applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university and must be accepted by the School of Economic Sciences and the Graduate School.

A prospective student must have received a 4-year baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized accrediting association. If admitted, regular student status is granted to a student who has earned a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). This grade point average is calculated from the last 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of graded undergraduate work, or in graduate school if the student completed 12 or more semester hours of recognized graduate study. For international applicants, the grade point average is based on the last two years of undergraduate work. If there is at least one year of graduate work, the grade point average will be based on the graduate work. Applicants to the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree are expected to have a grade-point average well above the minimum 3.0.

Additional Admission Info