MS in Applied Economics
Complete the 30-credit program in 12–20 months
Students in GW's Master of Science in Applied Economics program master the latest tools to succeed in today’s data-driven world. Using cutting-edge methods including machine learning and artificial intelligence, students draw meaningful implications from economic data and then integrate economic analysis into their professional lives.
The MS in Applied Economics is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM-designated degree program, which provides student visa holders with the opportunity for two additional years of post-graduation employment in the United States.
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Why GW?
Our students learn from an exceptional faculty that includes both GW’s internationally-recognized economics professors and professionals from Washington’s numerous economic organizations. Our faculty bring their practical experience and deep knowledge to the classroom. GW’s proximity to the global institutions and resources of the nation’s capital adds an educational dimension not available elsewhere. In addition to a full set of courses in economics, students also have the option to take courses at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, the School of Business, the Milken Institute School of Public Health, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Applied Economics Info Session: January 27
Join us online for an information session discussing the field of economics and the GW Master of Science in Applied Economics program.
The Columbian College of Arts & Sciences posts their graduate information session recordings on YouTube. Check out the most recent Applied Economics information session recording!
Program Highlights
- Full- or part-time enrollment options accommodate busy schedules; many students work while completing their studies.
- Our curriculum includes research and practical data-based projects, enabling students to demonstrate these skills to prospective employers.
- Through GW’s partnership with the World Bank’s Data Lab University Data Fellows Program, students have the opportunity to work with World Bank economists on their projects of global significance.
- We offer funding for students to complete internships and work as research assistants with our professors.
- Students may enroll simultaneously in a graduate certificate program in data science, environmental resource policy, business analytics, and more.
- One-on-one faculty advising on course selection and career opportunities provides students with personalized guidance.
- A communication workshop helps students hone oral and written skills for presentation of economic analyses.
- Our partnership with the National Association of Business Economists gives our students the opportunity to prepare for the Certified Business Economist® (CBE) professional certification in business economics and data analytics while pursuing their degree.
- Our specialties in budgetary and fiscal policy, industrial organization, financial analysis, economic forecasting, development economics, causal inference and research design, and data science for economists support a broad array of career possibilities.
Where Do Applied Economics Graduates Work?
Graduates of our program work for a wide range of employers across the globe, spanning consulting, banking/finance, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and international organizations. If more than one graduate with the same employer works at the same location, then the number of graduates is shown in parentheses; graduates currently pursuing further studies are omitted. It's worth looking through the lists below!
- Consulting
84.51° Chicago, IL Acumen Washington, D.C. Ardent Eagle Solutions Washington, D.C. Augur Consulting Washington, D.C. Baryonyx Management Consulting Washington, D.C. Bates White (4) Washington, D.C. BDO USA Chicago, IL Berkeley Research Group Emeryville, CA Booz Allen San Diego, CA BRG Emeryville, CA Coherent Economics Chicago, IL Compass Lexecon (2) Washington, D.C. Committee for Economic Development (Conference Board) New York, NY CWP Consulting Washington, D.C. Deloitte Washington, D.C. Deloitte Shanghai, China EconOne Los Angeles, CA Econ One Washington, D.C. Edgeworth Economics Washington, D.C. FI Consulting Arlington, VA FTI Consulting Washington, D.C. Gormley Group Washington, D.C. Guidehouse Washington, D.C. ICF Consulting (2) Reston, VA Independent Project Analysis Arlington, VA The Menges Group Arlington, VA Morning Consult Washington, D.C. PBMares Harrisonburg, VA Technomics (2) Arlington, VA TransVoyant Annapolis, MD Viridios AI Nashville, TN - U.S. Federal and State Government Agencies
Auditor of Public Accounts Frankfort, KY Bureau of Economic Analysis Suitland, MD Bureau of Labor Statistics (2) Washington, D.C. Bureau of Labor Statistics Chicago, IL Coast Guard Washington, D.C. Congressional Budget Office Washington, D.C. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Washington, D.C. Council of Economic Advisors Washington, D.C. DC Public Service Commission Washington, D.C. Department of Commerce (2) Washington, D.C. Department of Labor Washington, D.C. Energy Information Administration (2) Washington, D.C. Famine Early Warning Systems Network (USAID) Washington, D.C. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. Federal Reserve Bank San Francisco, CA Federal Reserve Board (2) Washington, D.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services Rockville, MD International Trade Administration Arlington, VA International Trade Commission Washington, D.C. Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Frankfort, KY Library of Congress Washington, D.C. New York State Homes and Community Renewal New York, NY NIH Bethesda, MD National Renewable Energy Laboratory Golden, CO Nuclear Regulatory Comission Washington, D.C. New York State Homes and Community Renewal New York, NY Office of Personnel Management Washington, D.C. Siskiyou County Economic Development Council Yreka, CA Department of Treasury (2) Washington, D.C. U.S. Army Washington, D.C. U.S. Census Bureau Washington, D.C. U.S. Postal Service Washington, D.C. USDA Washington, D.C. United States International Trade Commission Washington, D.C. U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. - Banking/Finance
American Bankers Association Washington, D.C. B.Riley Financial Arlington, VA Citi New York, NY Fannie Mae (2) Washington, D.C. Federal Reserve Board Washington, D.C. Fidelity Investments Boston, MA Freddie Mac (2) Washington, D.C. JP Morgan New York, NY Koalafi Washington, D.C. Morgan Stanley Baltimore, MD PNC Pittsburgh, PA State Street Washington, D.C. Visa San Fransisco, CA - Other Private Sector
AvalonBay Communities Washington, D.C. American Staffing Association Alexandria, VA Association for Talent Development Arlington, VA Boeing Seattle, WA CandleScience Raleigh, NC Cognizant Teaneck, NJ Computer and Communications Industry Association Washington, D.C. DoorDash San Francisco, CA Education Week Bethesda, MD FTI Consulting Washington, D.C. Gannett Washington, D.C. Leidos Reston, VA Marriott International Bethesda, MD Medicus Pharma Ltd. Conshohocken, PA MEG International Counsel Washington, D.C. Technomics, Inc. Arlington, VA Up Top Acres Washington, D.C. U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association Washington, D.C. Washington Gas Washington, D.C. The Wellspring Philanthropic Fund New York, NY - International Organizations
African Development Bank Abuja, Nigeria DAI Bethesda, MD DC Advisory London, England European Central Bank Frankfurt, Germany Food and Agriculture Organization Rome, Italy idinsight New Delhi, India International Finance Corporation Washington, D.C. International Fund for Agricultural Development Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire International Monetary Fund (9) Washington, D.C. Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System PLC Lagos, Nigeria Payments Canada Ontario, Canada Penrose Partners Ontario, Canada United Nations New York, NY World Bank Washington, D.C. - Nonprofit Organizations
American Bankers Association Washington, D.C. Carlson Global Institute Minneapolis, MN The Conference Board New York, NY Economic Policy Institute Washington, D.C. Education Week Bethesda, MD Florida International University Miami, FL Foundation for Government Accountability Tampa, FL Harvard Business School Cambridge, MA Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Washington, D.C. McMaster University Ontario, Canada National Association of Counties (2) Washington, D.C. Rocky Mountain Institute Washington, D.C. Success Academy Charter School New York, NY Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Silver Spring, MD - Other International Employers
Bank of Kuwait Kuwait City, Kuwait Bank of Namibia Windhoek, Namibia Central Bank of Jordan Amman, Jordan Credit Agricole CIB Montrouge, France Gökmen Gastronomi Ankara, Turkey IDInsight Lusaka, Zambia KFH Capital Kuwait City, Kuwait Landsvirkjun Reykjavik, Iceland National Grid London, UK NetEase Hangzhou, China Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems Lagos, Nigeria Pactera Beijing, China ParkRisson Beijing, China Payments Canada Toronto, Canada Qatar Investment Doha Qatar University Doha Saudi Central Bank (4) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Siemens Munich, Germany Sunyaar Tehran, Iran Tadiran Group Petah Tikva, Israel Warba Bank Kuwait City, Kuwait
Student Outcomes
- Identify economic questions and successfully answer them using the theoretical tools of micro- or macroeconomics and the quantitative tools of data analysis and econometrics.
- Learn to review existing literature to understand what experts in the field already know about a given economic issue.
- Use modern data visualization techniques and public speaking skills to effectively teach an audience something new.
- Build a strong foundational knowledge in ethical writing practice to avoid common plagiarism and copyright pitfalls in research and written work.
- Develop teamwork skills, problem-solving skills and the economic thinking needed to address any real-world economic issues.