Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program with graduate standing, students must:

  1. Meet the general requirements for admission to graduate instruction at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as described by the Graduate College. Among other conditions, the Graduate College requires an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale over the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

  2. Achieve a score of 900 or higher on the following formula: 100 times the grade point average (computed on a 4.00 scale) plus two times the combined score on the quantitative and verbal portion of the Graduate Record Exam.

  3. Complete the prerequisites for the program which include at least one semester of calculus or mathematical economics (MATH 181, ECON 440 or ECO 640), second semester statistical analysis or econometrics (ECON 262, ECON 441 or ECO 641),* intermediate microeconomic theory (ECON 302 or ECO 502), and intermediate macroeconomic theory (ECON 303 or ECO 503). Students interested in the MA in Economics with insufficient undergraduate preparation may be admitted conditionally. Admission in full standing requires getting a B (not a B-) or better in each of the prerequisites that were not completed as an undergraduate. Such students should contact the graduate coordinator of the economics department before applying for the program.

  4. International applicants from countries where English is not the native language, or who did not receive a degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction, must show competency in English. The Graduate College requires a score of 550 on the written, or 213 on the computerized, version of the Test of English Language (TOEFL) or 85 on the Michigan Test. Credentials not written in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation, as described by the Graduate College.

  5. International applicants must submit a completed Certificate of Finance to the International Student and Scholar Services. In addition, international applicants must satisfy the financial eligibility requirements before an I-20 will be issued.

*Please note that second semester statistical analysis and econometrics both have first semester statistical analysis (ECON 261) as a prerequisite.

Application Procedures

The following admission materials are required for all applicants.

To UNLV Graduate College:

  1. Complete an online Graduate College application and submit a nonrefundable admission application fee. The most current application fees for U.S. citizens and international applicants and admission applications can be accessed on the Graduate College website. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the UNLV Board of Regents. Applications and attendant materials will not be processed until the fee is paid.
  2. Submit one official transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended, showing all degrees and the dates awarded. Transcript must include all extension and correspondence work. Only transcripts sent directly from the institution are considered official. Applicants should send Graduate-College admission materials to:
    The Graduate College
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 451017
    Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017
  3. Non-English speaking international Students must submit official TOEFL or Michigan Test to the Graduate College. International Students must also submit a completed Certificate of Finance to the International Student and Scholar Services. International students are encouraged to contact directly the International Student and Scholar Services.

To Economics Department:

  1. Submit one official transcript to the economics department from all postsecondary institutions attended, showing all degrees and the dates awarded.
  2. Submit two letters of recommendation and a resume to the economics department. Former instructors, employers, or other professionals who can evaluate the applicant's potential to complete the MA program in economics should send the letters.
  3. Submit the official scores from the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE to the economics department and the UNLV Graduate College. Applications are not considered complete until the department receives official GRE scores. Applicants should send economics department admission materials to:
    Graduate Coordinator
    Department of Economics
    Lee Business School
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 456005
    Las Vegas, NV 89154-6005
  4. Once accepted into the program, MA students must arrange a meeting with the graduate coordinator to discuss class schedules before enrolling in courses. Entering students should also obtain a copy of the Graduate Student Guide.
  5. Enroll in courses.