FALL 2026
Orientation (mandatory for incoming fall 2026 students)
August 17 - 22, 2026
Fall 2026 MSPE Orientation Schedule
Various University of Illinois campus locations
Opportunity to get to know the other students in the program, learn more about specifics about their course of study and campus.
MSPE Social Event
Thursday, September 10, 2026
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: Outside DKH on southeast side
An opportunity for incoming and continuing MSPE students, program staff, and Economics faculty to interact. Enjoy fun activities and delicious food!
Ph.D. Informational Session (seminar)
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
12:30 - 1:50 PM
119 David Kinley Hall
If you are a MSPE student who is planning to apply for a Ph.D. program, we highly suggest you attend this informational session conducted by Professor Stefan Krasa.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (field trip)
October 1 - 3, 2026
St. Louis, Mo
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is one of 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks. It supports the U.S. economy by helping implement monetary policy, supervising banks, providing financial services, and conducting economic research. The visit will include a self-guided museum tour and presentations on the economic outlook and FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), a free online database of U.S. and international economic data, charts, and research tools.
Thanksgiving Luncheon (social event)
Friday, November 20, 2026
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Illini Room C, Illini Union
Holiday Party (social event)
Friday, December 18, 2026
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Ballroom, Alice Campbell Alumni Center
Graduation Dinner (social event)
Saturday, December 19, 2026
6 – 9 PM
Chancellor Ballroom, I Hotel Conference Center
Dinner honoring our fall 2026 graduating students.
SPRING 2027
Washington, DC (spring break field trip)
March 14 - 19, 2027
Students will participate in four presentations at organizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations, International Monetary Fund, Inter-American Development Bank, and the Federal Trade Commission.
Graduation Dinner (social event)
Saturday, May 15, 2027
6 – 9 PM
Chancellor Ballroom, I Hotel Conference Center
Dinner honoring our spring and summer 2027 graduating students.