MS in Applied Economics

Students in our Master of Science in Applied Economics program learn how to use the latest the tools to succeed as economists in today’s data-driven world. Our students use cutting edge methods, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to draw meaningful implications from economic data and then integrate economic analysis into their professional lives.

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students listening in an MA in Applied Economics class
 

Students may complete the 30-credit program in 12 to 20 months.

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.

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: September 11

Join us online for an information session discussing the field of economics and the GW Master of Science in Applied Economics program.

Register to Attend


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
AcumenWashington, D.C.
Ardent Eagle SolutionsWashington, D.C.
Augur ConsultingWashington, D.C.
Baryonyx Management ConsultingWashington, D.C.
Bates White (4)Washington, D.C.
BDO USAChicago, IL
Berkeley Research GroupEmeryville, CA
Booz AllenSan Diego, CA
Coherent EconomicsChicago, IL
Compass Lexecon (2)Washington, D.C.
Committee for Economic Development (Conference Board)New York, NY
DeloitteWashington, D.C.
DeloitteShanghai, China
EconOneLos Angeles, CA
Econ OneWashington, D.C.
Edgeworth EconomicsWashington, D.C.
FI ConsultingArlington, VA
FTI ConsultingWashington, D.C.
Gormley GroupWashington, D.C.
GuidehouseWashington, D.C.
ICF Consulting (2)Reston, VA
Independent Project AnalysisArlington, VA
Morning ConsultWashington, D.C.
PBMaresHarrisonburg, VA
Technomics (2)Arlington, VA
TransVoyantAnnapolis, MD
Viridios AINashville, TN

 

U.S. Federal and State Government Agencies
Auditor of Public AccountsFrankfort, KY
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2)Washington, D.C.
Bureau of Labor StatisticsChicago, IL
Coast GuardWashington, D.C.
Congressional Budget OfficeWashington, D.C.
Commodity Futures Trading CommissionWashington, D.C.
Council of Economic AdvisorsWashington, D.C.
Department of Commerce (2)Washington, D.C.
Department of LaborWashington, D.C.
Energy Information Administration (2)Washington, D.C.
Famine Early Warning Systems Network (USAID)Washington, D.C.
Federal Reserve BankSan Francisco, CA
Federal Reserve Board (2)Washington, D.C.
Dept. of Health and Human ServicesRockville, MD
International Trade AdministrationArlington, VA
International Trade CommissionWashington, D.C.
New York State Homes and Community RenewalNew York, NY
Nuclear Regulatory ComissionWashington, D.C.
Office of Personnel ManagementWashington, D.C.
Siskiyou County Economic Development CouncilYreka, CA
Department of Treasury (2)Washington, D.C.
U.S. ArmyWashington, D.C.
U.S. Postal ServiceWashington, D.C.

 

Banking/Finance
American Bankers AssociationWashington, D.C.
B.Riley FinancialArlington, VA
Fannie Mae (2)Washington, D.C.
Fidelity InvestmentsBoston, MA
Freddie Mac (2)Washington, D.C.
JP MorganNew York, NY
Morgan StanleyBaltimore, MD
State StreetWashington, D.C.
VisaSan Fransisco, CA

 

Other Private Sector
AvalonBay CommunitiesWashington, D.C.
American Staffing AssociationAlexandria, VA
Association for Talent DevelopmentArlington, VA
BoeingSeattle, WA
CandleScienceRaleigh, NC
Computer and Communications Industry AssociationWashington, D.C.
Education WeekBethesda, MD
GannettWashington, D.C.
Marriott InternationalBethesda, MD
MEG International CounselWashington, D.C.
Washington GasWashington, D.C.

 

International Organizations
African Development BankAbuja, Nigeria
International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentAbidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
International Monetary Fund (9)Washington, D.C.
United NationsNew York, NY
World BankWashington, D.C.

 

Nonprofit Organizations
Carlson Global InstituteMinneapolis, MN
Economic Policy InstituteWashington, D.C.
Foundation for Government AccountabilityTampa, FL
Harvard Business SchoolCambridge, MA
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationWashington, D.C.
National Association of Counties (2)Washington, D.C.
Rocky Mountain InstituteWashington, D.C.
Wellspring Philanthropic FundSilver Spring, MD

 

Other International Employers
Bank of KuwaitKuwait City, Kuwait
Bank of NamibiaWindhoek, Namibia
Central Bank of JordanAmman, Jordan
Gökmen GastronomiAnkara, Turkey
IDInsightLusaka, Zambia
KFH CapitalKuwait City, Kuwait
LandsvirkjunReykjavik, Iceland
National GridLondon, UK
NetEaseHangzhou, China
Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement SystemsLagos, Nigeria
PacteraBeijing, China
ParkRissonBeijing, China
Payments CanadaToronto, Canada
Saudi Central Bank (4)Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
SunyaarTehran, Iran
Tadiran GroupPetah Tikva, Israel
Warba BankKuwait 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.