Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. degree is not awarded for the mere accumulation of course credits nor for the completion of the specified residence requirements. At least four years of full-time graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree are usually required to complete the doctorate. A minimum of two consecutive semesters in actual residence as a full-time graduate student is required.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of B- is required in all courses. | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| ECON 701 | Advanced Micro-Economic Theory 1 | 4 |
| ECON 702 | Advanced Macro-Economic Theory 1 | 3 |
| ECON 709 | Research Design and Methodology | 1 |
| ECON 711 | Advanced Micro-Economic Theory 2 | 4 |
| ECON 712 | Advanced Macro-Economic Theory 2 | 3 |
| ECON 721 | Mathematical Economics | 3 |
| ECON 725 | Econometrics 1 | 3 |
| ECON 726 | Econometrics 2 | 3 |
| ECON 727 | Econometrics 3 | 3 |
| Electives | 18 | |
700-level ECON electives | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Comprehensive Examinations
Students must pass written comprehensive examinations in microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory. For detailed rules, see the Rules and Regulations page on our website.
Dissertation Initial Progress Report
By the end of the first semester of their third year in the Program each student must file a completed Dissertation Initial Progress Report, signed by the student’s faculty dissertation advisor and the Economics Graduate Coordinator. The Dissertation Initial Progress Report must contain evidence that the student has performed substantial initial work on his or her dissertation research. Such evidence should include a title, an outline of the proposed dissertation, a review of relevant literature, a description of the sources, availability, and characteristics of any data the student plans to analyze in the dissertation, and a discussion of empirical and analytical methods the student plans to employ. It should also include drafts of completed chapters, if any, and any other materials deemed relevant by the student’s faculty advisor. The faculty advisor’s signature will signify that the advisor has reviewed the material and consulted with the student, and believes the student’s dissertation research project is sufficiently detailed, concrete, and significant as to show promise of ultimate success. The Graduate Coordinator’s signature will attest that the Dissertation Initial Progress Report is complete and satisfactory.
Candidacy and Dissertation
When an applicant has passed the written comprehensive examinations and submits a Dissertation Initial Progress Report approved by the Economics Graduate Coordinator, the applicant will be formally promoted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The candidate must submit a dissertation pursued under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty in economics on some problem in the area of the candidate’s major interest. The dissertation must present the results of the candidate’s individual investigation and must embody a definite contribution to knowledge. It must be approved by a committee of the graduate faculty in economics. After approval of the candidate’s dissertation and satisfactory completion of other graduate requirements, a final oral examination on the dissertation is required.
Each Ph.D. candidate is required to defend a dissertation proposal. The dissertation proposal defense normally should occur by the start of the of the student’s 4th year. The dissertation proposal typically consists of three concept papers that include a summary statement of the research topic, a preliminary survey of the literature, a description of the research methodology, and other pertinent material as deemed appropriate by the student’s advisor.
At an agreed-upon time between the student and the student’s advisor, the Ph.D. candidate is required to present the proposal at a proposal defense before at least three members of his or her dissertation committee, including the chairperson. Following the defense, the committee members present will decide whether to approve or disapprove the topic. If approved, the committee members will sign the Chambers College Dissertation Proposal form. The student is required to bring a copy to the proposal defense or to circulate the form for electronic signature following a successful defense.
Credit for dissertation research and writing is available under ECON 797, but only if the student has a dissertation chairperson and an approved topic.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ECON 701 | 4 | ECON 711 | 4 |
| ECON 702 | 3 | ECON 712 | 3 |
| ECON 721 | 3 | ECON 725 | 3 |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ECON 726 | 3 | ECON 727 | 3 |
| ECON electives | 6 | ECON electives | 6 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | ||
| ECON 709 | 1 | ||
| ECON electives | 6 | ||
| 7 | |||
| Total credit hours: 45 | |||
Degree Progress
The department of Economics requires the following milestones for all students. According to the graduate catalog, students will receive a yearly evaluation. Students who are either not making adequate degree progress or who are failing to uphold professional standards may receive notice of probation, suspension or dismissal. Students may be notified of academic consequences outside of routine evaluation processes if an issue must be addressed immediately.
Each year, no later than the first day of classes of the Fall semester, the department will distribute an updated version of the graduate handbook.
Benchmarks
- Year One: Comprehensive Exams in Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
- Year Two: Elective Class completion
- Year Three: Dissertation Initial Progress Report (Fall Semester), Dissertation Proposal Defense summer fourth year
- Year Four: Dissertation Defense
Satisfactory Progress
- Successfully completing coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Proactively completing GA duties
Major Learning Outcomes
Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
The doctoral program in economics trains students to 1) conduct independent and original research in economics of publishable quality; 2) analyze questions of interest to economists and policymakers, employing tools and methods of theoretical and empirical economics in a manner that meets or exceeds the expectations of the economics profession for a doctorate in economics; and 3) effectively communicate both what economists in general know and the fruits of the student's own research.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to teach, at any undergraduate level or beyond, core courses in economics and courses in at least two areas of specialization within economics.
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Students will produce research papers that lead to refereed publications in economics journals.
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Students will apply modern economic theory and modern econometric methods to evaluate economic problems, develop policy evaluations, and make policy recommendations.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate original economic research questions, develop an appropriate research design to explore these questions, and conduct appropriate statistical analyses. This includes the ability to create, use and manipulate data that are appropriate for the research question.
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Students will compose, communicate and disseminate knowledge of economics effectively both within and outside academia.