Applied Economics (off-campus) (ECAO)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Behavioral and Social Sciences

ABSTRACT

The off-campus version of the Master of Science in Applied Economics program (ECAO) is a master's degree program designed primarily to enhance the professional development of applied economists.  The program is not designed to prepare students for PhD programs in economics.  The program prepares students to work as analysts in government agencies, private firms and non-governmental organizations.
 
The ECAO program is an evening program with face-to-face classes in Washington, DC.  The ECAO program operates on a quarter-term academic calendar.  Students can complete the 10-course ECAO program in 15 months if they take 2 courses per quarter.  

The ECAO program's curriculum is identical to that of the ECAM program, but the ECAM program is located on campus in College Park, and operates on the university's standard semester-based academic calendar. All credits earned at the Washington, DC location would count for the College Park program in the event that the student transfers to the College Park program. Credits earned at the University of Maryland are transferable to another institution at the sole discretion of the accepting institution.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The economics department does not offer fellowships or graduate assistantships to any of the students in the ECAO program.  Domestic students in the program are eligible for the US Department of Education's Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans and Federal Grad PLUS Loans.  Some of our students also have their tuition paid, at least in part, by an employer or other 3rd party.  The University's Financial Services Center provides Third Party Billing when the third party requires a bill from the university.  More information about financial aid is available from the University of Maryland's Office of Student Financial Aid.  

CONTACT

Dr. John Straub, PhD
Program Director

Master of Science Program in Applied Economics
1400 16th Street, NW
Suite 140
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 301.405.3531
EmailStraub@umd.edu

Dr. Amanda Kerr, PhD
Associate Director

Master of Science Program in Applied Economics
1106C Morrill Hall
7313 Preinkert Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.3531
Email: Ackerr@umd.edu

Herman Byrd
Program Coordinator

Master of Science Program in Applied Economics
1400 16th Street, NW
Suite 140
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202.525.4308
Email: DCmasters-econ@umd.edu

Website: http://masters.econ.umd.edu

Courses:  ECON

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

  • Letters of Recommendation (none)
  • CV/Resume
  • Supplementary Application
  • Introductory Macroeconomics course (grade of B or higher)
  • Introductory Microeconomics course (grade of B or higher)
  • Introductory Calculus course (grade of B or higher in Calculus I, or AP Calculus score of 4 or 5)

*Visa Eligibility: This program is not eligible for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance by the University of Maryland.

We do not sponsor visas for students in the Washington, DC version of our program (ECAO). International applicants who need the University of Maryland to sponsor an F1 student visa must apply for Fall enrollment to the College Park version of our program (ECAM).

International applicants who already reside in the U.S. on existing visas that permit study (G4 and H4 visas, for example) may apply to either version of the program, similar to domestic students.

Applicants who are unsure about their preference location should contact masters-econ@umd.edu before submitting an application.

The Golden Identification Program is not eligible for Continuing Education Programs (Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, Non-Credit Learning) administered through the Office of Extended Studies. To learn more about Golden ID, click here.

Type of Applicant Fall Deadline Spring Deadline
Domestic Applicants
US Citizens and Permanent Residents June 11, 2025 December 11, 2024
International Applicants
F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas N/A N/A

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Program Website: masters.econ.umd.edu 
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying

Classes are held in the evenings in our DC classroom space, 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 140.

Last Name First/Middle Name Graduate Faculty Status Academic Credentials Positions
Abbasi Hossein Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009 Senior Lecturer, Applied Economics
Adams Christopher P Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2001 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Belenkiy Maksim Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of California-Santa Cruz, 2010 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Caines Colin Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of British Columbia, 2016 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Chang Wonjun Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2017 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Choi Joonkyu Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2018 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Chugh Randy Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2012 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Cuba-Borda Pablo Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2015 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Danesh Erfan Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Toronto, 2016 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Dockins Paul Christen Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Duke University, 1996 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Ferreira Thiago Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Northwestern University, 2014 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Finkle Aaron Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Washington, 2004 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Fried Daniel Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Virginia, 2013 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Gholizadeh Mahsa Graduate Teaching Ph.D., American University, 2015 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Goodman Lucas Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2018 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Grana Justin Graduate Teaching Ph.D., American University, 2016 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Griffiths Charles Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 1997 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Hsu Joanne Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2011 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Kawano Laura Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2010 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Kerr Amanda Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Clemson University, 2017 Associate Director, Applied Economics
Lecturer, Applied Economics
Kim Hong Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of California-Davis, 1994 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Kovanen Arto Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Purdue University, 1988 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Krestel Christian Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University College London, 2011 Lecturer, Applied Economics
McDonald Brad Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1989 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Monarrez Tomas Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 2018 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Noh Sungho Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2018 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Ohlmacher Scott Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2017 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Ovadia David Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Northwestern University, 2015 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Paek Yong Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2018 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Payson Steven Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Columbia University, 1991 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Petek Nathan Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Chicago, 2016 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Petrasek Lubomir Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Penn State University, 2011 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Rumbaugh Thomas Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 1991 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Straub John Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2002 Director, Applied Economics
Senior Lecturer, Applied Economics
Stuermer Martin Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Bonn, 2013 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Tello-Trillo Cristina Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Yale University, 2015 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Verani Stéphane Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2011 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Vilán Diego Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Southern California, 2015 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Vlaicu Razvan Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Northwestern University, 2006 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Yi Moises Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 2016 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Zer Boudet Ilknur Graduate Teaching Ph.D., London School of Economics, 2013 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Zhang Ye Graduate Teaching Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, 2007 Lecturer, Applied Economics
Zimmerman Paul Graduate Teaching Ph.D., Florida State University, 2000 Lecturer, Applied Economics