The MSPE Program is primarily designed to serve three groups of students:

• For students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in economics or related fields, such as finance or public policy, the MSPE Program provides more background in the core fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, which will improve the prospects of admission into a good Ph.D. program.
   
• For students interested in pursuing the most challenging careers in government or business, the MSPE Program provides a strong econometric training for working with data sets to address policy or business questions.
   
• For students in the midst of a career in government or business, the MSPE Program provides an opportunity to broaden their background in specific fields of applied microeconomics (public, labor, or development economics) or applied macroeconomics (monetary and fiscal policy, or international finance and trade).

The MSPE Program is a designated STEM program. This allows international students to obtain three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after they complete the MSPE Program in order to work for a private sector employer in the United States.