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Master of Science in Applied Economics and Finance

The M.S. APEF is a one-year professional masters program that provides analytical graduate training designed to prepare students for careers in business, international and domestic banking, consulting firms, government, and nonprofit organizations.

The curriculum stresses mastery of core principles in economics, finance, econometric techniques, programming and statistical software packages (R, Stata, Python). Students improve data analysis skills using large-scale data sets. 

Graduates of this program have gone on to successful careers in the private and public sectors with placements at a diverse range of companies and institutions, including ADM Associates, Inc., Anderson Tax, SoFi, Cisco Systems, Seagate Technology, Google, Sony Computer Entertainment, Wells Fargo, Securities and Exchange Commission, all of the big four accounting firms, McKesson Corp., Pepsi Corp., Visa, Square Trade, the California Franchise Tax Board, Guardian News (UK), Blue Cross, the World Bank, Stanford University, and the Bank of Japan. Other graduates have gone on to earn Ph.D.s in economics. 

Application deadline for Fall 2023 extended to May 10, 2023. 

This program combines

  • Core training in economic theory
  • Meaningful applications that students are likely to face in their professional careers 
  • More applied orientation than a typical M.A. program in economics 
  • More training in economics, statistics, and econometrics than most M.B.A. programs
  • Professional development, job preparation, networking opportunities

In addition, each student learns

  • How to solve practical problems and to communicate the results clearly
  • Advanced econometric techniques
  • Programming and statistical software packages (R, Stata, Python)
  • Applications using large-scale financial and microeconomic data sets 

Students must pass a comprehensive capstone requirement to receive their degree. This capstone requirement consists of a comprehensive examination, which will take place within two weeks of spring graduation. Students who do not pass the June examination may take it again in August at a date scheduled by the department. 

Program Requirements can be found here.

MS APEF application requirements and program fees here  Contact econ_grad_coor@ucsc.edu for questions, phone calls, and advising.
International students in the M.S. program are eligible to apply for OPT through the Office of International Education. Our M.S. program in applied economics and finance is also eligible for the OPT Stem Extension. For more information please visit the Office of International Education.
Application deadline to apply for fall 2023 extended until May 10, 2023
Applications will be accepted for fall 2024 online beginning in October 2023 at https://www.gradadmissions.ucsc.edu/.

For more information

Thank you for your interest in the M.S. Applied Economics and Finance program at UC Santa Cruz.