Frequently Asked Questions

IS THE MAE A NEW PROGRAM?

The MAE welcomed its inaugural class in 2016-2017!

WHAT PROGRAMS DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS OFFER?

The UCLA Department of Economics offers undergraduate majors in Economics and Business Economics, a PhD program, and the Master of Applied Economics program. PhD students earn a Master of Arts along the way, but students cannot be directly admitted into that Master of Arts program.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN THE MAE PROGRAM?

The 2018-2019 MAE class is comprised of 68 students.

HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?

The program is 9 months, or 3 quarters (Fall, Winter and Spring). Students are only admitted in the Fall quarter.

CAN I COMPLETE THE PROGRAM PART-TIME?

No, the program is an intensive 9-month program and is only designed for full-time students.

WHAT COURSES ARE REQUIRED?

You can see a list of all required and elective courses here.

IS THERE A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION?

In the spring quarter students choose four elective courses based on their interests. Students will choose one of those courses to focus on for an applied project. Satisfactory completion of this applied project serves as the comprehensive examination.

WHAT IS THE FINAL PROJECT?

The final project will be designed by the student in concert with his/her faculty advisor and will center on the student’s interest in a particular field of economics. Because the program is in Applied Economics, it would not necessarily be a traditional research paper, but something that would enhance the student’s portfolio when they enter, or re-enter the job market. For instance, students who come to the program with work experience may choose to do a project that is directly related to a real-world problem they have recently, or are currently exploring.

WHAT KINDS OF JOBS CAN I GET AFTER GRADUATION FOR THE MAE PROGRAM?

The MAE program is designed specifically for the students who want to enter or re-enter the workforce. Graduates will be qualified for positions which require economical analysis or a quantitative background. Some employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, Central Banks, International Organizations, Government Ministries, consulting firms, think tanks, hospitals and banks.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MAE PROGRAM AND A PhD PROGRAM?

The MAE program is focused on providing students with an applied economics background, which will develop skills that employers seek. Most PhD programs are focused on providing students with research backgrounds.

CAN I TAKE COURSES OUTSIDE THE MAE PROGRAM (UNDERGRAD OR PHD)?

No, MAE students are limited to taking courses offered by the MAE program.

CAN I WORK WHILE I AM IN THE PROGRAM?

UCLA’s Master of Applied Economics program is a full-time program. Part-time student status is not permitted.

HOW DO I TAKE THE GRE OR TOEFL?

Tests are administered by the Educational Testing Services (ETS). View their website for more information.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE TOEFL?

Any applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival. Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). IELTS is administered by local IELTS test centers throughout the world. Applicants should consult IELTS for the nearest test center.

DO YOU MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR THE TOEFL?

There are no exceptions to the University’s policy about the English requirement. To be waived from the TOEFL requirement, applicants must hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the language of instruction and the medium of instruction (Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom), or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution.

CAN I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION BEFORE I TAKE THE GRE OR TOEFL?

Yes, as long as the application is submitted by the deadline, and tests are taken by February 1. Please contact us if the personal information shown on the test report (i.e., name, date of birth, gender) differs from the information entered on UCLA’s Application for Graduate Admission as this may impede in the electronic receipt of your test scores.

CAN I SUBMIT A WRITING SAMPLE?

No. Please do not submit a writing sample–it is not required and it will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM GPA REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION?

By UCLA Graduate Council action, a minimum grade point average of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), or its equivalent, in upper division undergraduate study and in graduate level study (if any), is required for graduate admission.

IS THERE A MINIMUM GRE SCORE REQUIRED?

There is no minimum score requirement for the GRE.

CAN I APPLY IF I AM STILL ENROLLED IN AN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM?

Applicants who have completed three years of undergraduate course work, or the equivalent, are considered when they specify they have the remaining year of course work in progress, and describe the proposed course work for that year. Please submit your transcripts by the deadline even if your fall term grades are not yet available.

WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL DEADLINE TO TURN IN ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS?

The deadline to turn in all application materials for 2019-2020 is March 15th, 2019.

WHAT TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED?

If you have transferred institutions, the original transcripts from both schools must be submitted. For example, if you attended a community college then transferred to a four-year university, both transcripts must be submitted.

DO I NEED TO MAIL MY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

No, official transcripts are not needed during the initial stages of application. Please upload an unofficial copy of your transcripts to the online application. You will be contacted if official documents are needed.

CAN I UPDATE MY TRANSCRIPTS?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept updated transcripts postmarked after the deadline. We will contact you should the review committee request additional information.

HOW SHOULD I SUBMIT MY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?

The letters should be uploaded by the letter writer to the online application. If the letter writer is unable to or uncomfortable with uploading the letter for some reason, there are two alternative options for submitting the letters (detailed below). For either of these options to be accepted, you must first email the MAE Graduate Office for permission.

1) The writer may send in the letter by mail. Make sure the letter is printed on letterhead and both documents are sent in a sealed envelope.

2) The writer may e-mail the letter in PDF format directly to the MAE Graduate Office. The letter must be printed on letterhead.

CAN I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION EVEN IF MY LETTER WRITERS HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED THE RECOMMENDATION FORMS?

Yes, application materials will be consolidated as they arrive.

CAN I SUBMIT EXTRA LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?

Two letters of recommendation letters are required, and a third letter is optional. We cannot guarantee fourth or additional letters will be read, in which case the first three received will be given priority.

CAN I UPDATE MY APPLICATION AFTER THE DEADLINE?

Unfortunately, we will not be able to update your application materials.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Questions regarding financial aid and funding should be referred to the Financial Aid Office.

WHAT PREPARATION COURSES ARE NEEDED IF I AM NOT AN ECONOMICS MAJOR?

If your undergraduate degree is not in economics, you will need to have Calculus I and II for engineering and math majors, Intermediate Microeconomics, and Intermediate Macroeconomics. In addition, if you have not taken Econometrics, a strong statistics background is recommended.

IS WORK EXPERIENCE NECESSARY FOR ADMISSION?

No work experience is required for admission to the MAE program. However, all elements of each applicant will be evaluated.

IS ADMISSION TO THE MAE PROGRAM ON A ROLLING BASIS?

Admission to the MAE program is on a rolling basis. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will receive an admissions decision. All applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.

MAY I APPLY TO MORE THAN ONE GRADUATE PROGRAM AT UCLA?

No. University regulations permit an applicant to apply to one major only, with the exception of concurrent or articulated degrees. Please decide which of our programs is most appropriate for you prior to submitting the Application for Graduate Admission.

DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE?

Yes. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose. This statement provides an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate to the Admissions Committee how their previous academic training, research or interest areas, work experience, and any other relevant evidence based on qualifications have prepared them to contribute to the UCLA MAE program and to the field. Please include your future career goals and how obtaining a MAE might help you reach your professional potential.

DO I NEED TO FILL OUT THE PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT?

Yes. Applicants are required to submit a personal history statement. This statement can be used to add any pertinent personal information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider.

WHERE CAN I LEARN ABOUT THE FACULTY?

You can read more about the Department of Economics faculty here.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS WILL BE VISITING THE DEPARTMENT?

The MAE program will feature a number of distinguished lecturers. They will discuss economic policy and topics of current relevance, and will come to us from central banks, government ministries, international organizations, etc. Guests will be announced in the early part of each year.