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Can I complete the program part-time?
Are there any elective courses?
What is the total number of graduate students in your program?
Is there a comprehensive examination?
What kinds of jobs can I get after graduation from the MQE Program?
APPLICATION
What is the deadline for applying?
What are the minimum requirements for entry into your program?
Will I be notified when my application is complete? When will I know if I've been accepted?
May I apply for admission for the spring term?
Do you require official test scores?
Is there Guaranteed Admission?
FINANCIAL AID
Among newly admitted students, how many are awarded financial aid?
Do non-U.S. citizens qualify for financial aid?
ANSWERS
The program is just 8 months, or 2 semesters (Fall and Spring). The program begins two weeks prior to the semester starting with a mandatory orientation called Basecamp then the semester officially begins at the end of August and ends at the end of April, the following year.
May I apply for admission for the spring term?
No. The graduate curriculum is structured in a cohort over two semesters (fall and spring). Students may not enter the program in the spring semester.
Can I complete the program part-time?
No, the program is an intensive 8-month program and is only designed for full-time students.
Are there any elective courses?
No. You can see a list of all courses here.
What is the total number of graduate students in your program?
Our capacity is for 40 graduate students.
Yes. Please email MQEinfo@pitt.edu to schedule a time to visit!
Is there a comprehensive examination?
No.
Yes. The Spring semester has a Capstone course: Data Design for Economic Applications.
What kinds of jobs can I get after graduation from the MQE Program?
MQE graduates can find jobs as analysts, economists and strategists in the public and private sector. The 2023 BLS reports the median annual wage for economists is $115,730 annually and $108,020 annually for Data Scientists with job growth of 35% from now through 2032 with job growth projections of close to 60,000 new jobs! MQE graduates meet employer demand for well-rounded individuals who can bring economic insights and strategic thinking to data science. MQE graduates are equipped with skills in 1) economic modeling and intuition, 2) data science and econometrics, 3) communications and analytic storytelling, and 4) professionalism.
The MQE Program offers each enrolled student holistic career services and connections with industry leaders.
What is the deadline for applying?
To be considered for merit scholarship, the application deadline is March 15 of the year in which you plan to begin the program. MQE may be accepts applications through July 31st of the year you're applying but international students are encouraged to apply by June 1st.
What are the minimum requirements for entry into your program?
Applicants who have a good mathematical background paired with basic training in undergraduate economics are welcome to apply. All applicants should have at least one semester of Calculus (does not include business calculus). A competitive application includes transcripts demonstrating a 3.0 or higher GPA, but any applicant who presents alternative evidence of superior ability may be admitted. Standardized tests like GRE or GMAT are not required, but they can be included as part of an application. International applicants from countries where English is not the official language are required to submit proof of proficiency in the English language. Students who completed a degree in the United States or other English-speaking country, or who are from select countries around the world, are exempt from langauge proficiency exams.
Will I be notified when my application is complete? When will I know if I've been accepted?
You will be able to check the status of your application online. It is your responsibility to begin the application process early, to request transcripts and letters of recommendation in a timely manner, to make sure that the recommenders have actually written and submitted a letter. You may receive automated emails from the application portal if something is incomplete, but you will not receive frequent reminders about the status of your application, so please be sure to check your status.
Do you require official test scores?
We do not require a GRE or GMAT score; however, you are welcome to submit those scores through the online application system.
Some international applicants are required to submit an English-langauge proficiency examination, sucha s the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. We do not require official scores as part of the application process, but official scores must be received in order for you to be admitted to the program.
Do you accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score in place of the TOEFL score?
Yes. The required TOEFL score is 90 (with a minimum of 22 in each section), the required IELTS score is 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in all sections), or the required Duolingo English Test score is 110 or higher.
What are the institutional/department codes for submitting GRE/TOEFL scores to the University of Pittsburgh?
GRE: the Institutional code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927; the department code for Economics is 1801.
TOEFL: the institutional code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927; the department code for Economics is 84.
Is there Guaranteed Admission?
Applicants from all majors with a good mathematical background and a basic understanding of economics are welcome to apply. The MQE guaranteed admit program is for Pitt students and alums who are interested in attending the MQE program after successful completion of their undergraduate degree.
Have questions or want to learn more? Reach out to our MQE recruiter, Kathleen Eaton, at KME114@pitt.edu
Among newly admitted students, how many are awarded financial aid?
MQE is a professional graduate degree program so funding is limited and minimal, and admitted students should be prepared to fund their studies through loans, external scholarships, or personal funds. That said, each year the MQE is able to offer a small number of merit-based scholarships that typically total $3,000 to $5,000; the exact number and amount depends on class size and budget constraints. Students who have graduated from a University of Pittsburgh undergraduate program may be considered for additional funding through the Pitt2Pitt program; please contact the MQE email MQEinfo@pitt.edu with questions about this.
Do non-U.S. citizens qualify for financial aid?
Merit-based scholarshps from MQE have no citizenship requirements, and awards are made to the most promising entering students as determined by the department's admissions committee. Federal financial aid, from the United States government, is not available to international students.
Please see our Financial Resources website for more information.
If you have further questions, please contact MQEinfo@pitt.edu.