FAQs
GENERAL QUESTIONS
You may send an email to economics@depaul.edu, or call the Economics Department at (312) 362-8781.
Q. Who do I contact for general information and admission materials on the MBA program?
Contact the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at (312) 362-8810.
Q. Does DePaul offer a PhD program in Economics?
While DePaul does not offer a PhD program in Economics, a Master of Science program is offered.
Q. Does DePaul offer a MA program in Economics?
The Master of Arts program in Economics has been suspended. We are no longer accepting student applications.
ADMISSIONS
Q. How do I apply to DePaul?
You can apply online or download an application. General admission inquiries can be sent to admission@depaul.edu.
Q. How long does the admission process take?
International students should expect the admission process to take six months to one year. Those who have received undergraduate degrees from academic institutions in the United States should expect the process to take three to six months.
Q. If I am not enrolled in your program, can I take courses as a non-degree seeking student?
It is possible to take classes as a non-degree seeking student; however, you will first need to speak with an academic advisor. For undergraduate classes, please contact the College of Commerce at (312) 362-5358 or Liberal Arts & Social Sciences at (773) 325-7310. For graduate classes, please contact Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at (312) 362-8810. More information on being a non-degree seeking student can be found on DePaul’s admission page.
Q. If I’m later admitted into your program, will the classes I take as a non-degree seeking student count toward my degree?
Yes, the classes you take as a non-degree seeking student may count toward your degree. However, each situation is handled on a case-by-case basis and the details must be arranged with your academic advisor.
UNDERGRADUATE
Q. What’s the difference between the BA and BSC economics degree programs?
DePaul offers two undergraduate degrees in Economics—the BA from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the BSC from the College of Commerce. Students in both programs take required courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics and statistics, and choose from a variety of economics electives. The difference in the two programs are the required courses outside of economics. The LAS degree requires allied field classes in the other social sciences, while the Commerce degree requires core classes across all the business disciplines.
Q. How do I declare a major or minor in Economics?
LAS students can now declar majors and minors via Campus Connect. Commerce students can download this major declaration form and submit it to the College of Commerce office (DPC 8500). Information on Commerce minors can be found here.
Q. I was accepted into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as an economics major, but I want to be a College of Commerce student. What should I do next?
You should attend an inter-college transfer (ICT) workshop in the College of Commerce. For a schedule of these workshops call 312-362-5358. Completion of 12 credit hours at DePaul with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA is required to apply for an inter-college transfer. For guidelines, please visit the Inter-College Transfer page.
Q. How can I satisfy my Liberal Studies Experiential Learning Requirement?
This liberal studies junior year requirement can be satisfied in three ways:
Internships
In the past year economics majors have held internships at a variety of organizations including: An insurance company medical economics unit, brokerage/financial services companies, banks, law firms, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Career Center oversees the University Internship Program (UIP). For more information about how to find an internship and how to have it count for experiential learning credit, please visit their website.
Study Abroad
Students can spend a term or more abroad through the Study Abroad Program (receiving multiple course credits, including experiential learning) or participate in a shorter (usually 2 to 3 week) Foreign Study Tour through the Driehaus Center for International Business. Check out the following links for information on the many program offerings.
DePaul Study Abroad
Driehaus Center for International Business
Experiential Learning Courses
Several departments offer courses which carry experiential learning credit. These courses typically involve some sort of field work in the Chicago area. You can use Class Search in Campus Connect to identify the list of such courses being offered each term. Simply highlight “junior year experiential learning” under the liberal studies requirement and search for courses.
In the past year economics majors have held internships at a variety of organizations including: An insurance company medical economics unit, brokerage/financial services companies, banks, law firms, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Career Center oversees the University Internship Program (UIP). For more information about how to find an internship and how to have it count for experiential learning credit, please visit their website.
Study Abroad
Students can spend a term or more abroad through the Study Abroad Program (receiving multiple course credits, including experiential learning) or participate in a shorter (usually 2 to 3 week) Foreign Study Tour through the Driehaus Center for International Business. Check out the following links for information on the many program offerings.
DePaul Study Abroad
Driehaus Center for International Business
Experiential Learning Courses
Several departments offer courses which carry experiential learning credit. These courses typically involve some sort of field work in the Chicago area. You can use Class Search in Campus Connect to identify the list of such courses being offered each term. Simply highlight “junior year experiential learning” under the liberal studies requirement and search for courses.
Q. Are there any student organizations for those interested in economics?
Yes, the Economics Club is a student organization sponsored by the Department of Economics. The Economics Club holds events throughout the academic year. Please see Student Organizations for more information.
GRADUATE
Q. What is the difference between the MS program in Economics and Policy Analysis and the MBA concentration in Economics and Policy Analysis?
The MBA-EPA is a business degree in which students take a four-course concentration in policy analysis. The concentration gives students experience in the tools of economic analysis in the context of a broader business practitioner perspective. On the other hand, the MS-EPA constitutes an in-depth study of the requisite economic theory and practices for policy analysis. Students are exposed to many policy areas and will receive a thorough grounding in both economic theory as well as econometric techniques used by business and policy analysis. For more complete information, please visit the MS-EPA and MBA-EPA webpages.
Q. Are the admission requirements the same for a MS in Economics and Policy Analysis as for a MBA?
Admission requirements differ by program. Admission requirements for the MS-EPA can be found here. The MBA admission requirements are here.
Q. Which graduate test should I take – the GRE or the GMAT?
The GMAT is required for the MBA program. The MS-EPA program requires either the GRE or the GMAT.
Q. When can I begin the MS program in Economics and Policy Analysis?
New students are admitted to the MS-EPA program every fall quarter. The admission deadline is July 1st.
Q: Can I attend classes part-time in the MS-EPA program?
Yes, students can enroll in the program on a part-time or full-time basis. Please see the program page for more details.
Q. At which campus are the MS-EPA classes offered?
The majority of the MS-EPA classes are offered at DePaul’s Loop Campus. Occasionally, we do offer select classes at DePaul’s suburban satellite campuses.
Q. My undergraduate major is not in Economics; however, I have taken a few economics courses. Is it still possible to be admitted to the MS-EPA program?
While there are basic requirements for admission to the program, eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it is possible to be admitted to the program on a conditional basis upon review of your application and supporting materials.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Q. Does the department offer teaching assistantships?
The Department of Economics does not offer teaching assistantships. However, graduate assistantships are offered to students in the MS-EPA program or the MBA program. If you would like to complete an application for a graduate assistantship, you may download one here.
Q. Who is eligible for a graduate assistantship?
Graduate assistantships are available to both international and domestic students who have been admitted to either the MS-EPA or MBA program.
Q. Is there an application deadline?
The deadline for graduate assistantship applications is June 1st. However, priority consideration will be given to students who apply to the MS-EPA program by April 15th.
Q. Are letters of recommendation required for the graduate assistantship application?
No, letters of recommendation are not required. However, you may include letters of recommendation with your assistantship application if you would like them to be considered.
Q. Do I need to send copies of my official transcripts along with my application for graduate assistantship?
No, official transcripts are not required with the assistantship application.