1. Is there a master’s program in economics at UCLA?
  2. What are the graduate courses and fields offered in the program?
  3. How can I find out about the faculty in the program?
  4. Can I complete the Ph.D. on a part-time basis?
  5. How do I apply to the Ph.D. program?
  6. How do I take the GRE or TOEFL?
  7. Do I need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score?
  8. Is there an exception to the TOEFL requirement? I attended an American or British University in which the medium of instruction is English but is not located in a country in which the primary spoken language is English.
  9. Can I submit my application before I take the GRE/TOEFL/IELTS or before the scores are ready?
  10. What if my TOEFL iBT score is above 87, but not all of my section scores meet the minimum passing requirement?
  11. Can I submit a writing sample?
  12. Is a CV or resume required for the application?
  13. What is the minimum GPA requirement for the program?
  14. Can I apply if I am currently finishing my last year of undergraduate study?
  15. When is the official deadline to turn in all of the application materials?
  16. How much is the application fee?
  17. Can I apply for an application fee waiver?
  18. What else should I know regarding transcripts?
  19. How should I submit my letters of recommendation?
  20. Can I submit my application even if my letter writers have not yet completed the recommendation forms?
  21. Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
  22. Can I update my application after the December 1st deadline?
  23. What are my chances of getting accepted into the program?
  24. When will I know if I have been admitted to the program?
  25. How do I apply for departmental funding?
  26. How do I find out more about the two week “Math Camp” held prior to the Fall classes?

About the Department

Is there a master’s program in economics at UCLA?
The Department of Economics offers a Master of Quantitative Economics (MQE) program, as well as a Ph.D. program. Students who are accepted into our doctoral program earn their master’s degrees on their way to earning their doctorates, while the MQE is a terminal master’s degree program designed to prepare students to enter the field of economics. If you are interested in applying to the MQE program, contact our MQE Graduate Office at mqe-office@econ.ucla.edu.

What are the graduate courses and fields offered in the program?
A listing of our graduate courses offered can be found in the Graduate Program Handbook.

The different fields offered and their requirements can be found on the department website under Field Requirements.

How can I find out about the faculty in the program?
Please refer to the Faculty section on the department website. To contact any of the faculty, you may send an email to the listed address.

Can I complete the Ph.D. on a part-time basis?
No, our doctoral program is designed for full-time study.

Application for Graduate Admission

How do I apply to the Ph.D. program?
Please review our Admission page for details of the application process. The UCLA Graduate Division’s Application for Graduate Admission is used to apply to all doctoral programs.

If you applied last year, please contact the Economics Graduate Office for specific instructions.

How do I take the GRE or TOEFL?
These tests are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Visit their website to find information about registering and preparing for the exams.

Do I need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score?
Any applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival.

Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). IELTS is administered by local IELTS test centers throughout the world. Applicants should consult IELTS for the nearest test center.

Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the language of instruction (i.e., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom), or who will have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution before beginning our graduate program, are exempted from both the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

Please be sure to include such information in your application.

Is there an exception to the TOEFL requirement? I attended an American or British University in which the medium of instruction is English but is not located in a country in which the primary spoken language is English.
There are no exceptions to the University’s policy about the English requirement. To be waived from the TOEFL requirement, applicants must hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the language of instruction (i.e., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom) and the medium of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution.

Can I submit my application before I take the GRE/TOEFL/IELTS or before the scores are ready?
As long as the application is submitted by the deadline, and test scores are received soon after, the time lapse should not create a problem. All applicants must take the exams by December 1.

Please contact us if the personal information shown on the test report (ex. name, date of birth, gender) differs from the information entered on UCLA’s Application for Graduate Admission as this may impede in the electronic receipt of your test scores.

What if my TOEFL IBT score is above 87, but not all of my section scores meet the minimum passing requirement?
For the internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT), the minimum total passing score is 87. The Graduate Division has a list of minimum score requirements for each section of the exam, but these minimum section score requirements are not enforced–only the total passing score of 87.

An IELTS overall band score of at least 7.0 is the minimum required.

Can I submit a writing sample?
No. Please do not submit a writing sample–it is not required and it will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Is a CV or resume required for the application?
Yes. A CV or resume is required material for the application.

What is the minimum GPA requirement for the program?
By Graduate Council action, a minimum grade point average of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), or its equivalent, in upper division undergraduate study and in graduate level study, if any, is required for graduate admission.

Can I apply if I am currently finishing my last year of undergraduate study?
Applicants who have completed three years of undergraduate course work, or the equivalent, are considered when they specify they have the remaining year of course work in progress, and describe the proposed course work for that year. Please submit your transcripts by the deadline even if your fall term grades are not yet available.

When is the official deadline to turn in all of the application materials?
All of the application materials must be uploaded and submitted via the online application by 11:59pm PST on December 1 (2:59am EST on December 1). Academic records and test scores can be postmarked by December 1. Letters of recommendation are given a 2 week grace period.

How much is the application fee?
$135.00 for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents.
$155.00 for all other applicants.

The application fee is devoted to the administrative cost of processing all applications received, and is not refundable under any circumstances, regardless of the outcome, the date of filing, time of review, or if, for whatever the reason, the application is withdrawn.

Can I apply for an application fee waiver?
The University has specific guidelines for need-based fee waivers and for students who have participated in special programs to request fee waivers. Please review these exceptions on the Graduate Division’s webpage for full details.

What else should I know regarding transcripts?
If you have transferred institutions, the original transcripts from both schools must be submitted. For example, if you attended a community college then transferred to a four-year university, both transcripts must be submitted.

Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot accept updated transcripts postmarked after the December 1st deadline. We will contact you should the review committee request additional information. Official copies of updated transcripts will only be required and requested from applicants that are admitted to the program.

How should I submit my letters of recommendation?
The letters should be uploaded by the letter writer to the online application.

Can I submit my application even if my letter writers have not yet completed the recommendation forms?
Yes, be sure to submit your application by the deadline. The letters of recommendation will be given a 2 week grace period.

Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
It is certainly possible to upload more than 3 letters of recommendation. However, due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee that a 4th letter will be reviewed.

Can I update my application after the December 1st deadline?
Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot update your application materials. However, if you would like to submit information regarding a fellowship or funding award, please email the documentation to phdadmit@econ.ucla.edu.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the program?
Generally we receive almost 600 applications per application cycle. We typically admit 70 applicants, and enroll approximately 15-20 students.

When will I know if I have been admitted to the program?
All decisions are typically released in early March.

The most efficient way to track the progress of your application is to personally log on to the application and check the status.

How do I apply for departmental funding?
Funding is based on the strength of the entire application for admission and does not require a separate application. All admitted applicants are considered for funding.

How do I find out more about the two week “Math Camp” held prior to the Fall classes?

Course syllabus and website will be provided to students prior to the start of Math Camp by the instructor.

Other Questions?
If you still have questions regarding the application process, please visit the UCLA Department of Economics website. If the information provided on the website does not answer your specific question(s), please contact Economics Graduate Office.