Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the prerequisites?
Please see the prerequisites listed on our Admissions Requirements page.
Will you review my application materials before I submit an application and let me know if I qualify for admission?
Unfortunately, no. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, we cannot respond to requests to review transcripts, resumes, etc., before officially submitting your application. Please review the Admissions Requirements page and check those against your transcript and resume to see if you qualify for admission.
What are the minimum scores for the GRE?
Information on GRE scores is listed on our Admissions Requirements page.
What are the minimum English proficiency test scores (e.g., TOEFL and IELTS)?
Yes, unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application. However, you must submit your official transcripts to the Graduate School before your can start.
No. If admitted to the program, we will match you with a faculty advisor before the start of the semester.
The School of Economics reviews applications between November and May for the following Fall semester. Funding decisions are made separately and begin in late January. We make most funding decisions in January and February.
We do not typically admit economics students to start in the spring semester. Graduate-level microeconomics and econometrics are offered in the fall and are prerequisites for many graduate-level economics courses.
What is the acceptance rate?
Our acceptance rate varies by year. For Fall 2022, roughly 50% of applicants were admitted. However, our assistantships are limited and competitive, so for Fall 2022, less than 6% of those who applied received an assistantship.
What is the class size?
We typically have 20-30 graduate students in the School of Economics (around 10-15 students in a cohort). Graduate-level economics classes are smaller – approximately 6-10 students per class. Some graduate courses are cross-listed with an upper-level undergraduate class and can be larger.
How much is the application fee?
Please visit the University of Maine’s Graduate School website (https://umaine.edu/graduate/apply/application-checklist/) for up-to-date information on the application fee.
Can I get an application fee waiver?
Unfortunately, the School of Economics does not grant application fee waivers. The Graduate School is in charge of the application system and fees and does offer a waiver for specific applicants. Please contact the Graduate School (email: graduate@maine.edu; website: https://umaine.edu/graduate/) for more guidance.
Can I pursue a PhD in Economics?
We do not have a PhD program in Economics; however, we support students interested in interdisciplinary degrees, like the I-PhD (Interdisciplinary PhD) or the EES PhD (Ecology and Environmental Sciences PhD). The I-PhD allows students to develop skills in two disciplines (e.g., recent graduates combined Economics with Psychology, graduating with an I-PhD in either Economic Psychology or Behavioral Economics). With the EES PhD, students with an environmental background can combine environmental science with economics and policy coursework, allowing them to excel in environmental policy and management careers. More information on both PhD options can be found on our Graduate Degrees page.
Can I get funding?
We offer a limited number of research and teaching assistantships to top-performing applicants. Please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page for more information. You do not need to submit a separate or different application to be considered for funding. Simply check the box on the UMaine Graduate School application that asks if you are interested in being considered for funding.
Outside the School of Economics, you may want to consider funding opportunities from the University of Maine and the Graduate School.
What is the deadline for applications and for funding?
We recommend submitting your application by January 1st to be considered for funding. Please see the application deadlines on our Application Process page.
Where can I get a job, and what can I expect to be paid when I graduate from a School of Economics graduate program?
The SOE Graduate Program web page provides a partial list of places our alums are working or continuing their studies and what they have reported for median annual income.
Start your application!
Interested students must apply to the University of Maine’s Graduate School online system.
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