The PhD in Economics provides in-depth, rigorous training in economic theory and econometrics and prepares students for careers in research, teaching, and consulting in academia, private industry, and government.

Prerequisites

Substantial exposure to economics course work at the undergraduate level is beneficial. Applicants are required to have college credit in differential calculus. Because of the necessary rigor of the curriculum, we also strongly recommend taking courses in integral and multivariable calculus and linear algebra prior to applying.

Concentrations

Students must complete 2 fields of specialization:

  • Econometrics
  • Industrial Organization
  • Health Economics
  • Monetary/macro Economics
  • Public Economics
  • Labor Economics

Typical Course Sequence

  Fall Spring Summer
Year 1 June
  • Microeconomics Theory Preliminary Exam
  • Macroeconomic Theory Preliminary Exam
Late July
  • Microeconomics Theory Preliminary Exam Retakes
  • Macroeconomic Theory Preliminary Exam Retakes
Year 2 June
  • Second year paper
Late July
  • Field Exam Retakes
Year 3
  • Present in Summer Workshop Series
Year 4  

Placements

Economics PhDs have taken positions at various institutions, including:

  • University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • St. Joseph’s University
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • The Ministry of Finance in Azerbaijan

Points of Pride

Research

Faculty research is frequently cited in national media outlets such as The New York TimesWall Street JournalFinancial Times, the Washington Post and more.