Become an economic analyst

In DePaul’s Master of Science (MS) in Economics and Policy Analysis, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of economic theory and advanced skills in data analysis that position you to examine economic and business policies. The research-driven curriculum prepares you to be a hands-on economic analyst.

Interested students participate in 12- to 16-week fellowships at private companies, a government agency, public policy institute, or nonprofit in Chicago, Washington D.C., or another city.

For international students: this program is a STEM-designated program, which can qualify you to extend your post-graduation stay in the United States.

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Study in the nexus of Chicago’s financial and government sectors

Our Loop Campus in the heart of Chicago’s financial district is steps away from local, state and federal government agencies and offices. Our proximity gives you access to employers in government and non-profit advocacy and businesses in almost every industry.

Application Deadlines

Enrollment Quarter	Domestic Student Deadline	International Student Deadline
Fall	August 15	June 15
Winter	December 1	October 15
Spring	March 1	January 15
Summer	June 1	April 15

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, essay, résumé and transcripts.

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Required Courses

You’ll complete seven required core courses plus five electives.

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No.35

DePaul was ranked among the country’s best MS in Economics & Policy Analysis programs in North America by Eduniversal (2019).

 

$72k

The median salary for Economics & Policy Analysis graduates was $72,000.

Get training from the experts

Our faculty members bring their real-world experiences to the classroom. Associate Professor Gabriella Bucci has consulted for the World Bank, worked for the U.S. Department of Treasury, and has had her research published in leading economic journals. “Economics is so linked to public policy,” she said. “This degree program is an ideal combination of economic theory, policy analysis and hands-on experience with policymakers.”

“I chose DePaul for my graduate degree because I knew the professors were great from my undergraduate experience. I have learned how to evaluate situations using solid economic frameworks and empirical strategies. Because of the small class sizes and opportunities to work with my peers and professors, I have made friends with really smart and hardworking people. Chicago is also a great place to live and build a career.”

Jenna (MS ’22) 

Alumni Network

You’ll be connected to DePaul economics alumni who are employed in the public and private sector at major companies and government agencies like Allstate, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the U.S. Department of Commerce, UBS Global Asset Management, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the European Central Bank.

Scholarships

Graduate school is an investment in your future. Kellstadt awarded more than $3 million to incoming students last year. Learn more about scholarship opportunities available to you.

Economics and Policy Analysis (MS) Admission Requirements

• ? Submit your online application and the $60 application fee.
• Submit an essay explaining your interest in the program and your professional goals.
• Submit your official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
  Please note that not submitting all transcripts where courses have been completed could impact course waivers.
• Test optional – GMAT/GRE Scores (submission is optional).

Letters of recommendation are optio?nal for this program.

International student admission requirements:  Click here.

Deadlines

Students may apply to enroll in any quarter. To ensure that you will be able to enroll in the quarter of your choice, we recommend that you apply by these dates:

Enrollment Quarter	Domestic Student Deadline	International Student Deadline
Fall	August 15	August 15
Winter	December 1	October 1
Spring	March 1	February 1
Summer	June? 1	April 1

Learn more about Graduate Admission.

If you need assistance to complete your application and/or have questions, contact the Kellstadt office at (312) 362-8810 or kgsb@depaul.edu.

Degree Requirements

Prerequisite Requirements

Students must have completed one course in Principles of Microeconomics and one in Principles of Macroeconomics as well as differential calculus prior to admission to the MSEPA program.

Course Requirements

Students in the MSEPA program complete 12 courses (48 credit hours). The degree consists of seven required core courses plus five elective courses. As part of the electives, students may apply for a one- or two-course equivalent research fellowship. Alternatively, with approval of the program director, students may take two graduate elective courses outside of the economics department.

Students may enroll in the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes are generally offered during the evening. The typical full-time student will finish the program in five quarters. Students will be advised to take no more than three courses per term. Students attending the program part-time will typically take two evening courses per quarter and finish the program in six quarters.

Core Courses (7 required courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
ECO 505	ADVANCED MICROECONOMICS	4
ECO 506	ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS	4
ECO 507	DATA ANALYTICS I: REGRESSION ANALYSIS	4
ECO 508	DATA ANALYTICS II: TIME SERIES AND PANEL DATA ANALYSIS	4
ECO 510	DATA ANALYTICS III: CAUSAL INFERENCE	4
ECO 515	MICROECONOMICS OF MARKET ORGANIZATION	4
ECO 516	ECONOMICS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR I	4

Elective Courses (5 courses required)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select five of the following:		20
ECO 435	REAL ANALYSIS I
ECO 436	REAL ANALYSIS II
ECO 511	BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC FORECASTING
ECO 513	DEMYSTIFYING THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
ECO 517	THE PUBLIC POLICY, BUSINESS, AND ETHICAL ENVIRONMENT OF GOVERNMENT
ECO 518	LABOR ECONOMICS AND LABOR RELATIONS
ECO 525	STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING AND GAME THEORY
ECO 526	BUSINESS STRATEGY
ECO 528	STRATEGIES AND PROCESSES OF NEGOTIATIONS
ECO 529	COMPETITION, STRATEGY AND ANTITRUST POLICY
ECO 531	BUSINESS MODELS AND INNOVATION STRATEGY
ECO 535	BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS AND DECISION-MAKING
ECO 542	HEALTH ECONOMICS
ECO 557	INTERNATIONAL TRADE THEORY & POLICY
ECO 798	SPECIAL TOPICS (Research Fellowship I)
ECO 798	SPECIAL TOPICS (Research Fellowship II)
ECO 799	INDEPENDENT STUDY (Directed Research Project. Requires department consent.)

Research Fellowship

The research fellowship allows students to work full-time on Capitol Hill, an independent agency or nonprofit in Washington D.C., Chicago, or elsewhere for 12 to 16 weeks. Fellowships immerse students in analysis, research and policymaking, while providing a unique opportunity to develop an extensive professional network.

In order to be eligible for the fellowship, students must have earned a course grade of B or better in ECO 505, ECO 506 and ECO 507.  In addition to the academic requirements, students must also have departmental approval.

Degree Requirements

• Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.
• Satisfactory completion of the 12 required and elective courses.
• All courses for credit toward the degree must be completed within six calendar years after the candidate’s first term of enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. After a lapse of six years a course is expired. An expired course is not acceptable for the purpose of satisfaction of degree requirements and is not applicable to the degree without the written approval of the director of the program or the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.? 

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