NOTE: Not accepting applications until further notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to the M.S. Program
The following are commonly asked questions by students seeking to apply to the M.S. program. If you have questions not answered here, please feel free to contact our department.
Should I take the GRE or the GMAT for admission into the M.S. program?
We accept either the GRE (general exam) or the GMAT. Performance on the quantitative section is important, with performance at or above the 70th percentile being desirable.
What is the G.P.A. requirement for admission into the M.S. program?
You should have at least a 3.00 G.P.A. in the last 60 credit hours of your bachelor’s degree. Also, you should have at least a 3.00 G.P.A. in the Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics courses you have taken.
Will I be considered for admission to the program if my major wasn't Economics?
Yes. You must, however, take the prerequisites for the program. The prerequisites (or foundation) courses for the program are ECO 3101 (Intermediate Microeconomics), ECO 3203 (Intermediate Macroeconomics), ECO 3410 (Mathematical Economics), and ECO 4412 (Econometrics). Information on admission requirements can be found at the Graduate Business Programs website.
I took the prerequisites for the program at another university. Are they acceptable?
Prerequisite work may be entirely or partially satisfied through prior equivalent course work. Such work must have been satisfactorily completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
Does prerequisite coursework count toward the 30 semester hours required?
No. Prerequisites are courses required to enroll in the Graduate courses (6000 or 7000-level courses) that you will take in the M.S. program.
I took the GRE (or GMAT) a long time ago. Are these scores still acceptable?
GMAT and GRE scores have a limit of five years.
How many courses may I transfer to the M.S. program if I'm currently in the M.B.A. program?
Students may transfer up to three courses (nine credit hours) taken in the M.B.A. program to the M.S. program, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director. At least two of the three courses must be from the Department of Economics.
How many courses may I transfer over from a non-College of Business Graduate program?
Students may transfer one course (three credit hours) over to the M.S. as part of the elective coursework, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director.
Graduate Assistantships
The following are commonly asked questions by students seeking to apply to the M.S. Program. If you have questions not answered here, please feel free to contact our department.
Where do I obtain an application for a Graduate Assistantship in your department?
You may obtain an application from the Office Manager in the Department of Economics, Fran Percival.
Completion of the M.S. Program (FAQ)
The following are commonly asked questions by students seeking to apply to the M.S. Program. If you have questions not answered here, please feel free to contact our department.
When is the Intent to Graduate form due?
The first week of the term, preferably before the Add/Drop period. The Intent to Graduate forms are accepted after the Add/Drop period; however, your name will not appear in the commencement book after this time.
How long do I have to complete the M.S. degree?
You have seven years to complete the degree.
How many credit hours do I have to take to complete the M.S. degree?
30 credit hours. You have to take four required courses, namely, ECO 6118 Microeconomic Theory I, ECO 6206 Macroeconomic Theory I, ECO 6403 Mathematical Economics, and ECO 6424 Econometrics I. You may then choose four 6000 or 7000-level Economics courses as Graduate electives. Lastly, you choose an End-of-Program option. You may choose a Thesis, or the Course Work Option. The Course Work Option requires you to take two additional 6000 or 7000-level Economics courses and an oral exam. Required courses may also be found at the Graduate Business Programs website.
Will I be disqualified from the program if I earned a C in one of my graduate courses?
If a graduate student accumulates grades of “C” or lower or unresolved “I” grades in more than six (6) hours, the student will be disqualified from the M.S. program. The forgiveness policy does not apply to any courses (undergraduate or graduate) taken by graduate students in the College of Business Administration.
End-of-Program Options
The following are commonly asked questions by students seeking to apply to the M.S. Program. If you have questions not answered here, please feel free to contact the Graduate Program Director.
When do I choose my End-of-Program Option?
The end-of-program option form must be completed between the 12th and 18th semester hours.
What are the requirements for the coursework option as my End-of Program option?
You must take two additional 6000 or 7000-level Economics courses, write a research paper, and pass an oral exam.
May I waive the oral exam?
No. All students must take a final exam to satisfy the graduation requirements for the M.S. For the coursework option, the final exam is the oral exam.
Course Offerings
Q: There are not any courses being offered that I want to take this semester? What options do I have?
A: You may register for an Independent Study. For an Independent Study, you find a professor who will work with you for the term. You then obtain a Registration Agreement form from the Department of Economics and fill out the required information.
Q: Is there a schedule available that lists when the Graduate Economics courses in the catalog will be offered?
A: There is a tentative three-year schedule posted outside of the Department of Economics on the third floor of the College of Business Administration. Required courses, ECO 6115 Economics Analysis of the Firm and ECO 6416 Statistical Methods for Business Decisions are typically offered every term.
Q: Do I have to choose a specialization under the M.S.?
A: No. You may earn a General M.S. Some students develop their own curriculum including 6000 level Economics courses, and other approved courses in Finance, Public Administration, Political Science, Political Theory, Management, Marketing, Accounting, Mathematics, and Computer Science. These courses should be Graduate level courses at the 6000 level. A maximum of nine hours of approved non-economics electives may be completed in the above disciplines; however, no more than 6 hours outside the College of Business Administration may be used. If there is a graduate course you would like to take outside of the College of Business that is not listed as an approved elective in the graduate catalog, you must petition to have the course added. You may obtain petitions from the Office of Student Support in the College of Business (BA240).
Advising
Q: How do I get in contact with a M.S. Graduate Advisor?
A: You may either call or write an e-mail to the Graduate Advisor Dr. Kasaundra M. Tomlin at (407) 823-2601 or Kasaundra.tomlin@bus.ucf.edu.
Q: When is the best time to contact the M.S. Graduate Advisor?
A: You may reach the M.S. Graduate Advisor during the posted office hours, or by appointment. Some students may experience a small delay in response during semester breaks.
International Students
Q: What are the application deadlines for international students?
A: March 1 for Fall semester, August 1 for Spring semester, and December 1 for Summer semester.
Q: Do I have to have a WES (World Education Services) evaluation?
A: Yes. International applicants must have WES translate their transcripts.
Q: What score must I have on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
A: Applicants are required to achieve a score of at least 233 on the Computer test.
Q: May I waive the WES evaluation or the TOEFL?
A: No. Both are required to be considered for admission into the M.S. program.
Advising Related Questions (FAQ)
The following are commonly asked questions by students seeking to apply to the M.S. Program. If you have questions not answered here, please feel free to contact our department.
How do I get in contact with a M.S. Graduate Program Director?
You may either call or write an email to the Graduate Program Director. The phone number is (407)823-3266, and the email is EconGrad@bus.ucf.edu.
When is the best time to contact a M.S. Graduate Program Director?
You may reach the M.S. Graduate Program Director during the posted office hours, or by appointment.