Department of Economics School of Politics and Economics Claremont Graduate University

The School of Politics and Economics at Claremont Graduate University

The School of Politics and Economics (SPE) at Claremont Graduate University offers excellent master's and doctoral programs in economics, political science, and public policy.

Its academic approach is based on transdisciplinary scholarship, which involves integrating research and theory from a range of disciplines with the goal of finding solutions to contemporary local, national, and global issues. This approach allows students to create individualized dual or inter-field curricula in which they obtain the theory and analytical skills needed to significantly impact the academic, government, and private-industry sectors.

Advanced Degrees from SPE Lead to Excellent Career Opportunities

Master of Arts (MA) and PhD students graduate fully-prepared to excel in government, faculty, research, and leadership positions throughout the world. In fact, recent placements in the government sector include Administrative Attache to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and Deputy Director of UNAIDS. Recent research placements include Assistant Director Research at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Research Specialist at the State Department of Consumer Affairs.

Master of Arts Degrees in the School of Politics and Economics

SPE offers several MA degree programs that help students advance their careers or prepare for doctoral studies. The MA in Economics program prepares students for a wide-range of applied analysis positions. Similarly, the MA in Politics program (American politics concentration) helps students gain the analytical, communication, and research skills necessary to excel in positions within the nation's political system.

Other MA programs include international studies; public policy; public policy and evaluation; politics (political philosophy concentration); politics, economics, and business; religion and American politics; and international political economy.

PhD Programs in the School of Politics and Economics

SPE offers several doctoral programs including the PhD in Political Science that integrates methodological training, theory, and policy in politics and related disciplines. The curriculum includes study in 2 of the following areas: American politics, comparative politics, methods, political philosophy, public policy, and world politics.

The PhD in Economics program includes core courses; courses in a chosen field of study; and qualifying exams in micro and macro economics, as well as the writing of a dissertation.

Additionally, the inter-field PhD program in political science and economics includes core courses, a methods minor field, a political science major field, and an economics major field.

Dual PhD Programs in the School of Politics and Economics

In conjunction with the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management, SPE offers a joint PhD in Economics/Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) and a joint PhD in Political Science/MBA or EMBA programs.

These rigorous programs provide comprehensive study of the global economy from business and political economy viewpoints.

Accelerated BA/MA Program in the School of Politics and Economics

The Accelerated BA/MA program allows juniors and seniors in the 5 undergraduate institutions of the Claremont Colleges to take classes from SPE in the Claremont Graduate University.

Undergrads may also receive graduate credit for advanced courses offered in Claremont's undergraduate institutions.

A maximum of 12 to 16 units of courses can be applied to both the bachelor's and master's programs. This allows students to complete their master's degrees at least 1 semester earlier, which saves both time and money.

Accomplished Faculty Members

Faculty members in the School of Politics and Economics at Claremont Graduate University are prolific researchers, skilled practitioners, and dedicated teachers and mentors.

Paul J. Zak is professor of economics, department chair, and founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University. His research integrates neuroscience and economics to form a new discipline: neuroeconomics. He has written 2 books and several book chapters, as well as published articles in numerous scholarly journals.

Collaborative Research Opportunities

Research is an important component of MA and PhD programs in the School of Politics and Economics.

For example, faculty members conduct research in established disciplines such as business, economics, and public policy, as well as emerging fields such as neuroeconomics, cartel formation, Latino political engagement, and campaign rhetoric.

Faculty members and graduate students conduct cutting-edge research that broadens their perspectives and the realms of knowledge. In fact, students collaborate on research projects with each other and faculty members, which leads to joint publications in a variety of journals.

Claremont Graduate University (CGU)

Established in 1925, Claremont Graduate University is located in Claremont, California, in the western region of the United States.

It is a member of the world-renowned Claremont Colleges, a consortium of 5 undergraduate liberal arts colleges and 2 graduate institutions. CGU focuses solely on graduate-level education and offers students rigorous, exciting, and cutting-edge master's and doctoral programs.

As a member of the consortium, CGU provides students with the resources of a large university in a learning environment similar to a small college. As a result, they receive comprehensive education that includes personal attention from teachers and close interaction with fellow students.

Beauty and Charm in Claremont, California

The picturesque city of Claremont is situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains just 35 miles east of Los Angeles.

Claremont Graduate University's beautiful and welcoming campus in this quaint -- yet exciting -- town offers students the tranquility of a small town within reach of the excitement and cornucopia of attractions in one of the nation's most vibrant cities.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Business Administration/Doctor of Philosophy (MBA/PhD)
• Political Economy And Public Policy Master of Arts (MA)
• International Money And Finance Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Business And Financial Economics Master of Arts (MA)
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• International And Development Economics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Public Choice And Public Economics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Industrial Organization Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Economic Development Certificate
• Economics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• International Economics Policy And Development Master of Arts (MA)
• Neuroeconomics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 30
• Doctoral Degrees 14
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• AppliedNot Reported
• AcceptedNot Reported
• Acceptance RateNot Reported
• EnrolledNot Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $70
• Application Fee - International $70
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline February 1st Not Reported Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test or GMAT
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE General Test or GMAT
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 550 paper based, TOEFL iBT

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$37,640
• Out-of-state tuition *$37,640
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$500.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsFebruary 15
• Types of financial support availableFederal Work-Study, Financial Support for Part-time Students, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students126
• Female Percentage29%
• Male Percentage71%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students126
• Part-time Percentage31%
• Full-time Percentage69%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino10%
• Black / African American4%
• White / Caucasian59%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian14%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races3%
• Unknown10%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty10
• Full-time Percentage80%
• Part-time Percentage20%
• Female Percentage10%
• Male Percentage90%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchInternational and financial economics, law and economics, regulation, public choice economics
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported