The online application for Fall 2009 is now closed.
1. Complete an Application
We recommend that you complete an online application. For instructions or to start your online application, please click HERE. If you are not able to submit your application online (please note that you can apply online, only if you can pay the application fee by credit card), you can print a paper application and mail the completed application directly to the MSPE Program.
Since admission is granted on a continuing basis, please submit your completed application materials as soon as possible. Although there is no cut-off date for applications, the program is usually full by April 1.
2. Pay Application Fee The University of Illinois application fee is $60 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants. The fee can be paid by credit care when you submit your online application. If you do not wish to pay by credit card, you can mail the application fee directly to the MSPE Program, along with a completed paper application. Checks or money orders drawn from a U.S.-affiliated bank are acceptable forms of payment. The check or money order should be made payable to the University of Illinois.
3. Provide certified transcripts and degree certificates Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate schools you have attended must be provided to the University along with official degree certificates. If the date and degree conferred are included on the transcript, no degree certificate is needed. Original or certified transcripts, and degree certificates (if needed) must be provided before formal admission can be given.
Official transcripts should be received by the MSPE program in a sealed university envelope provided directly from the issuing academic institution. These records must indicate all subjects studied, all grades or examination results received in each subject (whether passed or failed), and all degrees and diplomas earned. If your transcript does not indicate the degree earned and the conferred date, a certified copy of your degree certificate must be provided.
If your academic transcripts and degree certificate are not in English, they must be accompanied by an official English translation. Credentials must be certified by an officer of the educational institution issuing the documents or by an official employed by the US Embassy or Consulate. Where possible, you should request the principal or registrar of the institution to forward your credentials to the University of Illinois for you.
4. Provide 3 letters of recommendation Each applicant must submit at least 3 letters of recommendation from academic and/or business sources. Letters of recommendation may be completed online or you may download the recommendation form and mail the letters directly to:
Department of Economics-MSPE Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
313 David Kinley Hall
1407 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
USA
5. Provide a Statement of Purpose Please provide a statement in your own words describing your interest in economics and what your goals are upon completion of the MSPE Program. Your essay may be submitted online during the application process or sent directly to:
Department of Economics-MSPE Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
313 David Kinley Hall
1407 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
USA
6. Provide a Resume (optional) The resume can be submitted online during the application process or sent directly to:
Department of Economics-MSPE Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
313 David Kinley Hall
1407 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
USA
7. Provide a GRE score (optional) The GRE is not required, however, if you already taken the GRE, we encourage you to submit your score. Not submitting a GRE score will not harm your chances for admission, but submitting a good GRE score can help solidify your chances.
Additiona Requirements For International Applicants
8. Provide a TOEFL Score If English is not your native language, you are required to submit the results of the TOEFL as evidence of English proficiency. Applicants that have taken the TOEFL should request the Educational Testing Service (ETS) send scores to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign using institution code 1836 and department code 00. An official score must be provided directly from ETS to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before formal admission can be granted.
For admission purposes, TOEFL scores are valid for only two years before the proposed term of entry (example: fall 2009 scores must be newer than August 2007). A minimum score of 550 (on the paper-based test), 213 (on the computer-based test), or 79 (on the internet-based test) is required.
Graduate applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL if they have completed at least two academic years of full-time study, as defined by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, within five years of the proposed date of enrollment (at the University of Illinois), in a country where English is the primary language and in a school where English is the primary language of instruction.
For more information about the TOEFL requirement, please go HERE.
9. Provide Evidence of Financial Support for Duration of Program All students that require a student visa to enroll at the University of Illinois must provide evidence of financial support before the University can provide the appropriate support. Please make sure to read the requirements before submitting your documentation. The University can not accept Declarations that do not comply with the Acceptable Evidence of Financial Support. Please use the MSPE Financial Certification Form.
10. Provide an International Student Verification Form The University is required to collect the information on the I20/DS2019 Request form to obtain approval for either of these documents from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The form can be completed in either of two ways:
- The Student Verification Form can be completed online by logging into your online University application. The form will not be available to you until after we have received your official transcripts. OR
- The paper form can be printed and mailed to the address below or faxed to 217-244-7368.
Department of Economics-MSPE Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
313 David Kinley Hall
1407 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
USA
Brochures on the program are available upon request and inquiries about the program are welcomed. Please send brochure requests and inquiries to mspe@illinois.edu or call the MSPE office at 217-333-7651. Visits are also encouraged.
