GESEP - Program Information

Graduate Economics Student Exchange Program (GESEP)

Starting around the 1970s, the Department of Economics is proud to have a long lasting exchange program with the University of Bonn and most recently the University of Munich and Paris School of Economics.

GESEP provides international students with an opportunity to enhance their graduate academic experience at world-renowned University of California, Berkeley. Under GESEP, a select group of outstanding international students in graduate Economics programs are individually invited by the Chair to spend one or two semesters at Berkeley, taking graduate level courses and interacting with faculty and Ph.D. students in the program.

Selection
The selection of students is conducted by the home institution on the basis of academic excellence in graduate level programs.

Language tests

GESEP students are required to take and submit a TOEFL (language) test. This test can be taken throughout the world. The fee for taking the internet-based test varies by country, and is approximately USD 200. Information about this test, including fees and when and where it is held, can be found at www.ets.org/toefl. A score of at least 90 for the Internet-based TOEFL is required. We will also accept a score of 7.0 on the IELTS.

For students from English speaking countries, from a program taught in English, or with an English language background, the Department of Economics will consider waiving the English language test requirement. Such waivers are given in letters addressed to International Concurrent Enrollment. When applying for admittance to UC Berkeley Extension, a copy of this letter must be enclosed.

Concurrent Students versus Matriculating Students

Most students at UC Berkeley have been admitted as degree students. They are enrolled in programs that take several years to complete, involving lecture courses as well as individual work with academic advisors. These programs lead to degrees such as BA, MA, PhD, JD, MBA, etc. Admittance into these programs involves a number of steps, such as taking standardized tests (e.g. SAT, GRE, GMAT), providing letters of recommendation, submitting essays, and so on.
 
Students admitted under the GESEP program are visiting students. As such, they are admitted to a particular academic department, and do their coursework in this department. They do not receive a degree from the university, but they do receive grade reports proving participation and achievements, and these may be used as a substitute for parts of the requirements at their domestic academic institutions (their universities in their home countries). Students can obtain a transcript from UC Berkeley Extension here after completing of their studies in the Concurrent Enrollment Program. 

Courses

GESEP participants will be accepted to the Department of Economics as concurrent enrollment students. The department offers a wide variety of graduate courses each year.  We cannot guarantee that you will get into all the courses you might select, especially those which fulfill the theory and math requirements for entering Ph.D. students.  We can guarantee, however, that you will be able to take a full program of study. A minimum of 12 units per semester must be taken with the Department of Economics for international concurrent enrollment students in the GESEP program. GESEP students may take additional units after the first 12-units with other departments. The Department of Economics cannot guarantee enrollment in courses outside of the department. Students must pay tuition through UC Extension for course credits.

It is not possible for concurrent enrollment students to register in advance for courses. With the acceptance packet, the concurrent enrollment office will send detailed information on the procedure to follow to apply for courses on-line. Students will need to follow these instructions carefully.

Registration takes place during the first 2-5 weeks of the semester. Courses will often be impacted and though we will do our best to accommodate students, we cannot guarantee admission into a particular course. Some information on courses including course descriptions, textbooks, information about exams and so forth may be gathered from the Schedule of Classes. Some of this information may not always be available before the beginning of the semester.

Required courses for GESEP students

Economics 204 (Econ 204) is a required course for all students including new admits and course work only and exchange students visiting through concurrent enrollment.

Econ 204 assumes that students come with the minimum mathematical preparation for graduate study in Economics: knowledge of multivariate calculus, basic matrix algebra, and differential equations. It will be assumed that students in Econ 204 have completed a two-year math sequence, which emphasizes proofs and derivations, such as Math 1A, 1B, 53 and 54 at Berkeley.

Here are the course descriptions of these math classes at Berkeley:

MATH 1A: This sequence is intended for majors in engineering and the physical sciences. An introduction to differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, with applications and an introduction to transcendental functions.

MATH 1B: Continuation of 1A. Techniques of integration; applications of integration. Infinite sequences and series. First-order ordinary differential equations. Second-order ordinary differential equations; oscillation and damping; series solutions of ordinary differential equations.

MATH 53: Parametric equations and polar coordinates. Vectors in 2- and 3-dimensional Euclidean spaces. Partial derivatives. Multiple integrals. Vector calculus. Theorems of Green, Gauss, and Stokes.

MATH 54: Basic linear algebra; matrix arithmetic and determinants. Vector spaces; inner product spaces. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; linear transformations. Homogeneous ordinary differential equations; first-order differential equations with constant coefficients. Fourier series and partial differential equations

Waivers: If you have taken a proof-focused real analysis class, equivalent to Math 104 at Berkeley, with a grade of B or better, you may if you wish apply for a waiver of the 204 requirement. You will need to submit a transcript (unofficial is fine) and the syllabus or catalog description of the class, including the text. Please submit this by email to Chris Shannon, at cshannon@econ.berkeley.edu no later than end of June.

Rules regarding full time student visas to the USA

In order to obtain a student visa and to legally stay in the U.S.A, students receive an I-20 or DS-2019 from UC Berkeley Extension office. This I-20/DS-2019 is issued after applications have been received and processed by the UC Berkeley Extension office. In order to receive an I-20/DS-2019,  you will need to apply to the Concurrent Enrollment Program. Submit your Concurrent Enrollment Application online. All documents must be original and received by UC Berkeley Extension office before their deadline. All documents must be original and received by UC Berkeley Extension office before the deadline. Please check with the UC Berkeley Extension office for all submission deadlines for securing your I-20/DS-2019. To maintain their student visa status, students are required to carry a full course load, a minimum of 12 units in the UC Berkeley system. We will ensure that each student takes a full load of courses in Department of Economics.

UC Berkeley Course Credits and domestic academic institutions
 
Local rules and procedures determine the amount of credits a student will get at his/her home university for course credits from UC Berkeley. Students should consult with their academic advisor in their home Department to be sure the courses will transfer. UC Berkeley is a world-known and top-ranked academic institution, and generally students receive full credit in their home institution for course credits from UC Berkeley.
 
Tuition and fees at UC Berkeley

The costs for courses at UC Berkeley for the Fall and Spring semesters are set up the Board of Regents and subject to change. Current UC Extension fees can be found here.
 
Please review the International Concurrent Enrollment application form for the most updated fees.

For additional questions contact Blair Van Tassel, the GESEP coordinator, at bvantassel@berkeley.edu