Northern Illinois University

Department of Economics

Admission to Graduate Programs

We prefer that students interested in the PhD program apply first for admission to the MA program.  Then, at the end of the first year of classes, students who are performing well in classes are invited to move up to the PhD program.  For the first year, the course work in the MA and PhD programs is identical, so starting in the MA program does not slow the student's progress toward a PhD in any way.  However, if a student needs to directly enter the PhD program because of his funding source (such as the Fulbright program) or if he has a MA in economics from a qualified institution, we will directly admit him to the PhD program.


Admission Deadlines

Fall: June 1* (May 1 for international students) 

*If applying for an assistantship, the application deadline is February 15th.

Applications for admission and all supporting material must be received by the Graduate School by February 15 for students applying for assistantships starting in the fall. This deadline applies to both international and domestic students. Assistantships are typically awarded for the academic year, starting in the fall. The Graduate Assistantship application should be sent directly to the Department of Economics by February 15.

We prefer that students interested in the PhD program apply to the MA program. For the first year, the course work in the MA and PhD programs is identical, so starting in the MA program does not slow the student's progress toward a PhD in any way. At the end of the first year of classes, students who are performing well in classes may switch to the PhD program. However, if a student needs to directly enter the PhD program because of a funding program (such as the Fulbright program) or if she or he has a MA in economics from a qualified institution, we will directly admit her or him to the PhD program.

Spring:  November 1 (October 1 for international students)  

Summer:  April 1 (no international applications accepted for summer)


Application Requirements for M.A.:

  • Application form & fee
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Goal statement
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores
  • GPA of 2.75 from BA or BS degree
  • For international students:
    • TOEFL - valid for 2 years from exam date - min. score 213 (on scale of 0-300) or 550 (on scale of 310-677)
    • Financial statement
    • Diplomas or mark sheets

Application Requirements for Ph.D.:

  • Application form & fee
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Goal statement
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores
  • GPA of 2.75 from BA/BS degree or 3.20 from MA degree
  • For international students:
    • TOEFL - valid for 2 years from exam date - min. score 213 (on scale of 0-300) or 550 (on scale of 310-677)
    • Financial statement
    • Diplomas or mark sheet