1. Master of Arts in Applied Economics
Online Information
Session

2. Director of the MA program in Applied Economics
M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University
B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley
Associate Professor at GW
Worked at Treasury, in Brussels, NY Fed
Expert in corporate tax policy

3. Overview Why GW? What is Applied Economics?
The Applied Economics Program
Learning objectives
Program basics and curriculum
Admissions and Related Issues
Our students
Careers
Q&A

4. #OnlyAtGW
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., at the center of economic policy offering career opportunities in government agencies, think tanks, NGOs, and the private sector
GW offers dozens of graduate programs and certificates; professional schools of Law, Public Health, Business, Engineering, and Public Policy and Administration
Internationally respected and recognized faculty, academic programs, and research initiatives

5. GW’s main campus is in DC’s FOGGY BOTTOM neighborhood, just steps away from the IMF/World Bank, the Federal Reserve Board, the White House, and the State and Treasury Departments. National Airport is across the Potomac river. For more info, take a virtual tour at virtualtour.gwu.edu

6. What is applied economics?
Applied economics uses economic theories, models and data to solve real-world issues
It involves applying economic models to the data and verifying how well the theory explains reality and building forecasting models to predict how economic events, such as inflation, asset price bubbles, and regulation, affect economic welfare
Ex: Why have automatic check-out stations replaced workers in so many areas?
Ex: How will inflation affect manufacturing output?

7. What do applied economists do?
research and analyze economic issues,
conduct surveys and collect data,
interpret and forecast market trends,
use mathematical models and statistical techniques to analyze data,
work in the public and the private sector,
develop public policies,
advise policy makers, and more.

8. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you strive to find solutions to problems that exist in reality and not just in theory?
Are you interested in how government policies affect the way companies do business?
Do you enjoy using quantitative tools and analysis to shore up your research?
Do you want to work on complex real-world problems, such as development, financial crises, health care, marketing, technological change, trade policy, income inequality, and poverty?

9. Applied Economics
Learning objectives – Program basics - Core courses – Electives -
Course schedule

10. Key Elements of the Applied Economics MA
Learning objectives
Program basics
Core curriculum
Electives and Specializations
Graduate Certificates
Applied Economics is part of the Economics Department at GW.

11. Learning objectives
Students in the Applied Economics program will learn how to:
Measure the impacts of government programs
Analyze and forecast trends in economic indicators
Present an economic analysis using quantitative methods and theoretical models
Make effective public presentations using modern data visualization and communication tools
Explain real-world economic phenomena

12. Program basics The Applied Economics MA degree encompasses
6 core courses and 4 electives for 30 total credits
Most classes meet once a week for 2 ½ hours
Core courses are generally offered in the evening, while electives are offered in the day and the evening
Full-time students generally complete the program in 3 semesters plus one summer course
Students may study full-time or part-time

13. Program basics, continued
Students often work in groups to develop skills in communication and leadership
Time spent studying outside of class varies, but is generally at least 10 hours per class per week
The Director meets regularly with students, both individually and in groups
Course descriptions and syllabi are available on the website
Website:

14. Applied Economics website

15. The website has lots of information!
Letter from the Director
Video with testimonials from students and professors
Curriculum and links to syllabi
Admission requirements
Tuition and funding
Graduate Certificates
Careers
NABE and the CBE

16. Six core economics courses
Number
Course Name (all courses are 3 credits)
6300
Mathematical methods for economics
6301
Applied microeconomic theory
6305
Applied macroeconomic theory
6374
Probability and statistics for economics
6375
Applied econometrics
6376
Applied time series analysis
Four of the six core courses are math or data related; this distribution is intentional: math is essential to understanding the economic literature

17. Electives and Specializations
Students take 4 electives (12 credits total)
Two electives are graduate-level courses in economics and related subjects
Two electives may be in other programs, including
The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration
The Graduate School of Business
The Milken Institute School of Public Health
The School of Engineering and Applied Science
Students may also take electives in other areas, such as data science, finance, and accounting

18. Full-Time Course Schedule
First semester
Econ 6300 (Math for Economists)
Econ 6305 (Applied Macroeconomics)
Econ 6374 (Probability and Statistics)
Second semester
Econ 6301 (Applied Microeconomics)
Econ 6375 (Applied Econometrics)
Elective
Third semester
Econ 6376 (Time Series Analysis)
2 Electives
Students may take courses in the summer

19. Applied economics electives
Number
Course name
6310
Behavioral economics
6344
Applied Industrial Organization
6340
Applied Labor Economics and Public Policy
6330
Applied Macroeconomics and Money
6335
Applied Financial Derivatives
6325
Applied Game Theory
6350
Development Economics
6395
Sports Economics

20. The Curriculum Tab

21. Sample electives in economics
Number
Course name
6222
Benefit-cost analysis
6237
Economics of the environment and natural resources
6255
Economics of technological change and innovation
6283
International trade theory and policy
6284
International macroeconomics and finance
6006
Policy Analysis
6075
Law and the public administrator

22. Sample electives in other fields
Number
Course name
IAFF 6142
Technology Creation and Diffusion
MBAD 6211
Financial Accounting
PUBH 6325
Fed Policymaking & Policy Advocacy (2 credits)
EMSE 6245
Analytical Tools for Environmental Management
PPPA 6010
Politics & The Policy Process
IBUS 6402
Managing in Developing Countries
DATS 6101
Introduction to Data Science
ACCY 6602
Accounting
FINA 6223
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Analysis
ECON 6217, ECON 6218, and ECON 6219 may not be used to fulfill the requirement for electives

23. Sample specializations
International business finance and macroeconomics
Applied macroeconomics and economic forecasting
Budgetary and tax policy analysis
Regulatory and anti-trust economics
Urban and regional economics
Data science
Game theory and behavioral economics
Public management and economic policy
Development economics
Technological change and innovation

24. Graduate Certificates
Graduate Certificate provide specialized training to:
expand your area of expertise,
augment your professional skills, and
provide credentials that help advance your careers. 
Students who have dual enrollment in the Applied Economics MA and a graduate certificate may be able to obtain credit in the MA program for up to six credits (two courses) taken to meet requirements for the Graduate Certificate

25. Graduate Certificates
Most graduate certificates require 12 credits
The MA degree requires 30 credits
You may apply up to 6 credits in the certificate program to your elective requirements for your MA
For example, the intro to data science course counts for both the graduate certificate in data science and for an elective in Applied Economics
As a result, you can obtain both the MA and the Graduate Certificate with 36 credits instead of the 42 credits that would otherwise be required

26. Graduate Certificates
We currently offer the Graduate Certificate with the Applied Economics MA in:
Budget and Public Finance
Data Science
Geographical Information Systems
We plan to offer another dozen graduate certificates in the near future

27. Communication skills
Oral and written communication is fundamental to applied economics
Students learn how to explain complex economic concepts in a clear and accurate manner and develop the ability to communicate their ideas through course projects and presentations
We have developed an “Oral and Written Communications” workshop for the Applied Economics MA where students develop their skills in a range of settings and formats

28. Quantitative analysis
Quantitative analysis is a fundamental component of applied economics and gives you the skills to answer important empirical questions, such as:
How will sustained increases in gas prices affect the demand for gasoline?
Will government policy improve economic welfare?
A strong background in math and statistics is essential to become a good economist
Our STEM designation signals the breadth and depth of quantitative skills our program offers

29. Resources for developing your quantitative skills
We offer regular workshops in statistical packages, such as Stata, R, Python and Matlab, to give you the skills needed to succeed in your classes and in your career
GW has a full set of workshops, consultations and tutoring to help you with your quantitative and spatial reasoning skills
For more information: go.gwu.edu/STEMworks

30. STEMworks

31. Certified Business Economist
We have partnered with the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) to offer students the opportunity to earn simultaneously an MA in Applied Economics and the Certified Business Economist® (CBE) professional certification.
GW is one of the first universities to partner with NABE and offer the program leading to the CBE

32. The MA and the CBE
The core MA courses provide you with most of the knowledge you need to qualify for the CBE
You supplement these courses with an elective in Managerial Economics and the workshop in Written and Oral Communication
As a CBE you will have a professional certification in business economics and data analytics
The CBE is verification that you have the skills, knowledge, ethics, and dedication to deliver value in the workplace

33. Admissions and related issues
Prerequisites, international students, Deadlines, FAQs, and financial assistance

34. Admissions Students should have earned Applicants must submit
a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale);
a B grade or better in introductory microeconomics;
a B grade or better in introductory macroeconomics;
a B- grade or better in college-level calculus.
Applicants must submit
two letters of recommendation;
a 250- to 500-word personal statement and your resume
GRE scores are not required
You may take courses to remedy deficiencies before starting the program.
Students with work experience are encouraged to apply

35. International applicants
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required, except from those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction. 
Minimum scores to be considered for admission are:
Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0
TOEFL: 550 on paper-based or 80 on Internet-based test
PTE Academic 53

36. Application deadlines
Application deadlines are:
February 1 to be considered for financial awards for Fall admission
April 1 for Fall admission w/o financial awards
October 1 for Spring admission
The Fall Semester begins in late August
The Spring Semester begins in mid-January
For additional info, see the Graduate FAQs page:
Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

37. PROSPECTIVE STUDENT INFO

38. GRADUATE FAQS

39. Fellowships and financial aid
To be considered for a fellowship and/or assistantship, you simply check "yes" on the application. Merit-based awards are open to all applicants.
To apply for need-based financial aid, check "yes" to question 18 on the application. GW's Office of Student Financial Assistance to send you the necessary forms.
You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or refugee to apply for need-based financial aid.

40. Funding Opportunities
Graduate Admissions: Describes types of funding and assistance, including department-based support. Office of Student Financial Assistance: Offers loans for admitted students. Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships: Provides information on funding opportunities at the graduate level. GW Career Center: Provides information about Federal Work-Study, part-time jobs, internships and cooperative education.

41. International Students
General information, funding, and English for Academic Purposes

42. International students
The International Services Office (ISO) can help reduce the administrative challenges when studying in the U.S.
Information about acquiring a visa and what to do when you arrive is available at the ISO website: internationalservices.gwu.edu
The International Services Office is located in the Marvin Center,
International Students are responsible for knowing the academic requirements they must meet for visa purposes.

43. Funding for international students
To be eligible for funding you must have the following minimum scores:
TOEFL: 100 on the internet-based test (ibt), 600 on the paper-based test (pbt)
IELTS: Overall band score no less than 7.0, no individual band score less than 6.0
Students with F-1 or J-1 visa status may supplement their classroom experiences through employment, co-operative education or internships.
You must obtain proper employment authorization BEFORE beginning work.

44. English for Academic Purposes
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) refers to English language programs designed to help international students acquire the advanced skills in academic English that are necessary to complete the graduate degree program
EAP courses focus on academic research and writing, composition, documentation and communication skills
This provision can not be waived. your admissions letter will provide details on the EAP
For information, see eap.columbian.gwu.edu

45. Demographics, career plans, undergraduate majors
Our Students
Demographics, career plans, undergraduate majors

46. Our students
Each incoming class has about 17 to 22 students with an even balance between men and women
About half our students are U.S. citizens and no single foreign country accounts for more than 20 percent of the incoming class
Many international students earned their undergraduate degree in the United States
We have a mix of students who have recently graduated from college and those who have several years of work experience

47. Career plans
Many students study for an applied economics degree as a means to move up in their current job
Other student are studying so they can change careers
Many students have internships while studying
Most students work during the summer, either at a paid position or as an intern
Some students take courses over the summer

48. GW’s graduate student site

49. Careers in Applied Economics and GW’s Career Services Office

50. Careers as an economist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists earned a median pay of almost $100,000 a year in 2015
Good economists have strong analytical, communication, critical-thinking, writing and math skills
Economists can be econometricians, financial economists, labor economists, monetary economists, public finance economists and more
Students with strong quantitative and analytical skills have the best job prospects
Many companies hire outside economists as consultants, making consulting a fast growing field for economists
SOC code Employment in ,900

51. Where economists work Academic institutions Think tanks
Government agencies – federal, state and local
Non-governmental agencies
Business
Research
Media and communications

52. What economists do
Behavioral economists study how psychological and social factors affect an individual’s economic decision making. They research how these factors lead to and affect the outcome of an economic decision. Econometricians develop models and use mathematical analyses to test economic relationships. They use techniques such as calculus, game theory, and regression analysis to explain economic facts or trends in all areas of economics. Financial economists analyze savings, investments, and risk. They also study financial markets and financial institutions.

53. What economists do, cont’d
Industrial organization economists study how companies within an industry are organized and how they compete. They also examine how antitrust laws, which regulate attempts by companies to restrict competition, affect markets. International economists study international trade and the impact of tariffs and trade restrictions. They also examine global financial markets and exchange rates. Labor economists study the supply of workers and the demand for labor by employers. They research employment levels and how wages are set. They also analyze the effects of labor-related policies, such as minimum wage laws, and institutions, such as unions.

54. What economists do, cont’d
Macroeconomists and monetary economists examine the economy as a whole. They may research trends related to unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. They also study fiscal and monetary policies, which examine the effects of money supply and interest rates on the economy. Microeconomists analyze supply and demand decisions of firms and individuals. For example, they may determine the quantity of products consumers will demand at a particular price. Public finance economists analyze the role of government in the economy. Specifically, they may analyze the effects of tax cuts, budget deficits, and government social policies.

55. Career Services
GW has an active career services center where you can develop strategies and build a foundation for a successful transition from graduate school to career.
The services provided include career coaching, resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews, and one-on-one consulting appointments.
Students have access to a wealth of job-related information via HANDSHAKE

56. Career services, cont’d
GW hosts one large career fair each semester and a variety of industry events throughout the year.
The Career Services office has regular newsletters that provide information about upcoming job interviews and other information
A good source to identify employers is the National Association for Business Economics (NABE).
The careers tab on their website lists potential employers and the skills they are seeking.

57. Services, Metro, Student Organizations, and Medical Services
Student Life
Services, Metro, Student Organizations, and
Medical Services

58. Off-Campus services
GW‘s Center for Student Engagement can answer questions you may have about graduate student life at GW or Off Campus housing needs
Visit the Off-Campus Student Affairs website at
or send an to
This website provides pretty accurate examples of prices of things in DC: 

59. Metro and Bus Services
The Metro is a system of several routes, which are known by their colors
The orange, silver, and blue lines serve the Foggy Bottom area from Virginia. The red and green lines serve the area from D.C. and the Maryland suburbs
The DMV (District-Maryland-Virginia) area has a substantial bus service
And, of course, Uber and Lyft are all over town!

60. The Metro System :

61. Food, sports and fun
You can find out about GW's dining options at: 
At GW, many of the sports events are free for our students! You simply need to show your student ID.
In terms of student life, there are hundreds of student organizations that graduate students can join.
The “DMV – DC, Maryland, Virginia” – has numerous museums, sporting and concert venues, and outdoor attractions.

62. Student organizations and Medical services
GW has more than 450 student organizations on campus that anyone can join.
You can log into OrgSync with your NetID (GW’s organizations are on this site) at go.gwu.edu/orgsync
Check out the Medical Services web page to answer your question regarding insurance.

63. What’s next?
Go to the Applied Economics website:
Send an to the director Dr. Joann Weiner at if you have questions about the program
Contact Columbian College Graduate Admissions at for questions about the admissions process and/or financial aid

64. Dr. Joann Weiner jmweiner@gwu.edu
THANK YOU!
Dr. Joann Weiner
Technical assistant: Karina Panara