Department of Economics
PhD in Applied Economics

PhD in Applied Economics Degree Requirements

To earn a PhD degree and remain in good academic standing, a student must complete the following requirements.

• General Requirements
  • Write and defend an acceptable dissertation (typically consists of three original research articles that can be published in a peer-reviewed journal in economics).
  • Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of course work, including required courses in micro and macroeconomic theory, econometrics and four field courses.
  • Maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
• Before beginning the second year
  • Pass comprehensive exams in micro and macroeconomic theory.
• Before beginning the third year
  • Choose your main thesis advisor to be able to work on your first chapter (an original research article that can be published in a peer-reviewed journal in economics).
• Before entering the fourth year
  • Complete at least two fields of specialization (four field courses).
  • Complete first chapter of your thesis (a research paper that has to be approved by your faculty advisor) and present in the department's brown bag seminar series.
  • Form a dissertation committee with the help of your advisor.
  • Pass candidacy (proposal defense) exam. 
• During the fourth year
  • Work on and complete your second chapter (an original publishable research article) and present it in the department's brown bag seminar series. 
• During the fifth year
  • Work on and complete your third chapter (an original publishable research article) and present it in the department's brown bag seminar series. 
  • Apply for jobs (academic job market begins during fall).
  • Defend your thesis.
  • Submit your thesis. 

Required Courses (61 credit hours)

Doctoral students must complete the following courses Transferring credit hours from other peer institutions is allowed only in exceptional cases.

First Year: Fall Semester (12)

• Microeconomic Theory I
• Macroeconomic Theory I
• Econometrics I
• Mathematical Economics  

First Year: Spring Semester (9)

• Microeconomic Theory II
• Macroeconomic Theory II
• Econometrics II

Summer

• Micro Prelims (1st attempt in May; last attempt in July)  
• Macro Prelims (1st attempt in May; last attempt in July)

Second Year: Fall Semester (9) 

• Macroeconometrics (Econometrics Field)
• Topics (Field)
• Topics (Field)

Second Year: Spring Semester (9) 

• Microeconometrics (Econometrics Field)
• Topics (Field)
• Topics (Field)

Third Year: Fall Semester (9) 

• Workshop
• Topics (Field)
• Research and Dissertation

Third Year: Spring Semester (9) 

• Workshop
• Topics (Field)
• Research and Dissertation

Fourth Year 

• Research and Dissertation (Fall: 1 credit) 
• Research and Dissertation (Spring: 1 credit)

Fifth Year 

• Research and Dissertation (Fall: 1 credit) 
• Research and Dissertation (Spring: 1 credit)