Admission to the PhD program is based on promise of outstanding scholarship as demonstrated by previous academic performance, by scores achieved on the general portion of the GRE, and by recommendations.
The program requires a minimum of 48 hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree or 24 hours beyond the master’s degree, plus at least 24 hours of 600 Doctoral Research and dissertation, and successful completion of the following.
Economic Theory
Microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory by a qualifying exams taken not later than the beginning of the fourth semester of study.
Quantitative Methods
Completion of ECON 581 with a grade of B or better and completion of ECON 582 and ECON 583 with GPA of 3.0 or better, or by qualifying examination.
Other Requirements
Students failing a qualifying examination must retake the examination the next time offered. A qualifying examination may be taken a third time only with approval of the department. Failing a qualifying examination for a third time will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.
Students are required to demonstrate competence in at least two fields of specialization in economics by completion of a two-course sequence with a GPA of 3.25 or better in each field, grades of B or better in each field course, and by submission of a satisfactory research paper in one of those fields.
Students are required to complete (with a grade of B or better) two elective courses in economics at the 500 level or above. The two elective courses must be outside the core subject areas and outside the fields of specialization.
Students are required to complete a doctoral dissertation and to defend it successfully before the faculty.
