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Ph.D. Program Requirements
The required coursework for the Ph.D.
includes: a choice of
five
core theory courses (organized into different tracks), five “tools
of research” courses in four different areas, four field courses in two
fields of
specialization, and two research seminars. Each student must pass two
written theory comprehensives (a common preliminary exam and an
advanced exam
that depends on the chosen track) and one written field
comprehensive. Each student must pass an oral defense of the
dissertation proposal, which counts as the fourth comprehensive exam,
and
write a dissertation on an original research topic. There is also
an oral defense of the dissertation. More specific requirements
are listed below.
Core Theory and Tracks
All students take a total of five theory
courses organized into different tracks. Students entering in
Fall 2008 and after may choose between three tracks: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Heterodox
Economics (students entering before Fall 2008 have another option, Mainstream Economics).
Students in all tracks must receive a passing grade of B- or better in
each core theory course taken and pass two theory comprehensive
examinations. All students take the same first (preliminary)
theory comprehensive; the second
(advanced) theory comprehensive varies according to the track
chosen.
All students are also required to take one additional theory course
beyond what is required for their comprehensives.
Common
Requirements for All Tracks
- ECON-703 Microeconomic Analysis I
and ECON-702 Macroeconomic Analysis I
- Passing the preliminary theory
comprehensive exam based on material taught in these two courses
Microeconomics Track
- Additional
Requirements
- ECON-701 Micro Political Economy
and ECON-713 Microeconomic Analysis II
- Passing an advanced microeconomic
theory comprehensive exam based on material taught in these two courses
- One additional macro theory
course, either ECON-711 Macro Political Economy or ECON-712
Macroeconomic Analysis II
Macroeconomics Track
- Additional
Requirements
- ECON-711 Macro Political Economy and ECON-712
Macroeconomic Analysis II
- Passing an advanced macroeconomic theory exam based
on material taught in these two courses
- One additional micro theory course, either ECON-701
Micro Political Economy or ECON-713 Microeconomic Analysis II
Heterodox Track -
Additional Requirements
- ECON-701 Micro Political Economy
and ECON-711 Macro Political Economy
- Passing an advanced heterodox
theory exam based on material taught in these two courses
- One additional theory course,
either ECON-713 Microeconomic Analysis II or ECON-712 Macroeconomic
Analysis II
Mainstream Track
(available only to students who entered before Fall 2008) - Additional
Requirements
- ECON-713 Microeconomic Analysis
II and ECON-712 Macroeconomic Analysis II
- Passing an advanced mainstream
theory exam based on material taught in these two courses
- One additional theory course,
either ECON-701 Micro Political Economy or ECON-711 Macro Political
Economy
Tools of Research
The following “tools
of research” courses, which are usually taken during the first two
years, are required for all students:
- ECON-705 Mathematical Economic
Analysis
- ECON-723 Econometric Methods and
ECON-724 Advanced Econometric Methods
- ECON-620 Economic Thought
- ECON 618 Economic History of
Europe and the World or ECON-619 United States Economic History
- Students must receive a passing
grade of B- or better in each “tool of research” course
Fields of Specialization (Applied
Fields)
Students also choose two fields of
specialization. In the first field, the student must both complete the
course work with a passing grade of B- or better and pass the
written comprehensive exam in the field. In the second field, the
student must
complete the course work with a passing grade of B- or better, but need
not take the comprehensive exam.
The department offers the following applied
fields
with required courses as specified for each:
Please note: no course may be used to
fulfill more than one requirement. (Three courses are required
for economic history because one of these courses must be used as a
tool of research course.)
Doctoral
Field Course & Research Seminar Schedule* -- CLICK HERE for PDF
Download
*This link takes you to a pdf document listing the tentative times
(semesters
and years) at which the department expects to offer the applied field
courses and research seminars. This list is subject to change
depending on course enrollments and availability of
instructors.
Research Seminars
All students must complete 2 research
seminars numbered ECON-78X or 79X (not including the dissertation
seminar, 799); one of these must be either
Empirical Microeconomics
(ECON-783) or Empirical Macroeconomics (ECON-782). Students are
encouraged to take seminars related to their field(s) of interest for a
dissertation.
Comprehensive Examinations
See above for lists of the courses required
for each theory track and applied field. Rules regarding when
comprehensives must be taken and how they are administered are
available at the following link: Comprehensive
Examination Information
Dissertation
All students must complete a dissertation
on an original research topic. All students (normally in their
third year) must take the dissertation seminar ECON-799 to learn about
selecting a topic, writing a proposal, and doing a research
project. Dissertations are supervised by a committee normally
consisting of three faculty members. The committee chair is the
primary supervisor of the dissertation. Committees are appointed
following the successful oral defense of the dissertation
proposal. When the actual dissertation is nearly completed, an
oral defense of the draft dissertation is held. Final approval of
the dissertation depends on satisfactory completion of any changes
required by the committee members following the defense.
Dissertations are subject to all applicable university regulations.
Questions
All questions concerning rules and
regulations for the Ph.D. in economics should be addressed to the Ph.D.
program adviser, Professor Mieke Meurs.
Please do not rely on
interpretations of these rules and regulations from any other source.
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