HASPERE

The Hunter African School Program to Expand Representation in Economics (HASPERE) is not your standard pre-doctoral program. It is a master’s degree with a cohort environment and opportunities for mentorship and research. Faculty participation is broad, with scholars coming from top institutions around the country. Moreover, this program is flexible enough to offer an intensive two-year option and to accommodate those who prefer a year-long terminal master’s degree.

Please visit the Hunter College Graduate Admissions page to learn about the Hunter College admissions process and to submit your application. Applicants should mention in their statement of purpose that they are interested in the HASPERE program. Applicants should also apply to the African School of Economics by emailing the same materials to haspere@africanschoolofeconomics.com.

Applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of April 1, 2022 for both domestic and international students. Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

Students submit their applications in the Spring and begin their studies in the following Fall semester. Immediately prior to the start of school, incoming students will complete a two-week Math Camp.

While the program is targeted toward underrepresented minorities and toward Black students in particular, students of all demographic backgrounds and nationalities may enroll in the Hunter College and the African School of Economics program.

This program builds on Hunter College’s one-year MA in Economics. The Hunter College and the African School of Economics program features an enriched curriculum in the first year, with additional courses, camps and workshops. Though students on Hunter’s regular track may earn a master’s in one year, those who remain in the HASPERE program will complete a second year of study. In the second year, students will write a thesis, may study abroad at one of the African School of Economics’ campuses in Africa, and will receive mentoring and coaching on the PhD application process.

The majority of the HASPERE program will take place on the Hunter College campus in New York City. Students will be eligible for exchanges to the African School of Economics’ campuses in Benin or Côte d’Ivoire. These exchanges could take place during the academic year or the summer between the first and second years of study.

For New York State residents, the first year costs $15,000 and the second year costs $7,500. For out-of-state residents, the first year costs $22,875 and the second year costs $8,625.

In addition to the standard Graduate School Financial Aid offerings at Hunter College, there will be a limited number of stipends offered specifically for African Americans and possibly for other qualifying individuals.

Graduates of HASPERE will receive a master’s degree in economics from both Hunter College and the African School of Economics.

Currently, only three percent of the economics faculty in top public universities is Black. HASPERE aims to change this by building a robust pipeline for the next generation of diverse academic leaders. HASPERE also allows flexibility for enrolled students, allowing students to opt instead into a one-year terminal master’s.