PhD Program Requirements

Economic Theory-The student must show competence in economic theory as demonstrated by passing a departmental written examination in economic theory. This examination is given twice a year in January and June. Students failing the examination are allowed a second attempt; those failing on the second attempt are not permitted to continue in the program. The student should take the theory examination at the end of two semesters after entering the program. The theory examination should be taken after completing:

ECO601 - Advanced Microeconomic Theory
ECO602 - Macroeconomic Theory
ECO701 - Neoclassical Microeconomic Theory
ECO702 -Advanced Macroeconomic Theory

OR           equivalent courses.

In addition, the student must satisfactorily complete ECO704.

Statistics/Econometrics-The student must demonstrate competence in the area of statistics and econometrics. This competence may be demonstrated by satisfactory performance in the following courses:

ECO603 - Research Methods and Procedures
ECO703 - Introduction to Econometrics I
ECO706 - Introduction to Econometrics II

OR           by passing a special examination.

Elective Areas-All Ph.D. students must choose two fields of study approved by the student's Advisory Committee. The two fields may be chosen from the following:

• Environmental and Health Economics
• Industrial Organization
• International Economics
• Labor Economics
• Monetary Economics/Open Economy Macroeconomics
• Public Economics

Minimum course preparation for each field shall consist of at least two courses as determined by the student's Advisory Committee. In addition to the chosen fields, the student is encouraged to take elective courses in other areas of economics, such as econometrics or economic theory, or in other disciplines such as Agricultural Economics, Finance, Marketing, Mathematics, or Public Administration.

Supporting Work-At least nine hours of supporting course work must be selected. These courses must be approved by the student's Advisory Committee. The supporting work will allow the student to pursue more intensive study of one or both of the two chosen fields, or to pursue courses in other fields of economics. The supporting work cannot consist of 400 or 500 level courses, ECO610 or ECO611, ECO652, or any of the core courses in economic theory (ECO601, ECO602, ECO701, ECO702, ECO704) or econometrics (ECO703, ECO706). Only three of the nine elective hours can be satisfied by taking ECO797.

Grades- A minimum average of grade "B" must be attained in all courses attempted for graduate credit after being admitted to the Graduate School . Students obtaining six quality points below a "B" average will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Qualifying Examination

Written Examination-The written examination must be taken in one of the student's elective fields as part of the requirements for candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. This examination is given twice a year, at the beginning of the spring semester and at the beginning of the eight-week session. The written examination is prepared and graded by specialists in the respective fields. In the event that the student fails the examination, the student's Advisory Committee determines the conditions which must be met before another examination is given. Two failures to pass the written examination constitute failure of the qualifying examination.

Oral examination-After the student has passed the written qualifying examination, the Director of Graduate Studies will, on the advice of the Advisory Committee, schedule an oral examination through the Graduate School which will be administered by the Advisory Committee. The examination will ordinarily consist of the presentation and defense of a dissertation proposal.

Ph.D. Dissertation-The dissertation will be based on original research on a significant topic. The dissertation will be defended in an oral examination.

Typical PhD Course Schedule

First Year:

Micro & Macro Prelims are taken in June at the end of the 1st year of coursework.

Second Year:

Written field exams are usually taken in June at the end of 2nd year of coursework.

Third Year:

Dissertation Research and Workshops

Fourth Year:

Dissertation Research and Workshops