Requirements

You can download a one page summary of all program requirements, for those students who started the program before Fall 2012, click here; for those students who started the program in Fall 2012 or later, click here. 

As described in detail below, students must demonstrate (i) competence in the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, and (ii) mastery of two subfields in economics. The student's dissertation research should demonstrate independent and creative thinking, intellectual synthesis, and skill in written communication. Students are expected to complete their dissertation by the end of their fifth year. The maximum time permitted is six years.

Core Course Work

All students must show competence in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics by earning a "B" grade or higher in Economics 210A-B-C, 210D-E-F, and 220A-B-C-D, and a grade point average across all core courses of at least 3.25. Students receiving a grade lower than "B" in any of these core courses will be given one opportunity to retake the course and earn a "B" grade or higher. Students must also satisfactorily pass the econometrics lab courses 221A-B-C. Students are also required to complete one research paper in connection with the last quarter of the Econometrics core sequence (221D). This research consists of replicating and extending an empirical paper published in a refereed economics journal.

Note: Beginning with the class entering in Fall, 2012, Econ 220A will no longer be required, although students are strongly encouranged to take this course.  Furthermore, there will no longer be a replication-paper associated with Econ 221D. 

Students pursuing a masters degree in statistics along with their Ph.D. Studies in Economics can substitute STAT 200A-B for Econ 220A-B and 221A-B

Advancement to Candidacy

Students having successfully completed the requirements as described above are eligible to take the oral candidacy exam based on a research paper. The research paper can be the replication paper noted above, or a field paper. A well-prepared student should take this oral exam at the end of the fourth or fifth quarter, and in no case, later than the sixth quarter.

The exam is administered by five-person candidacy committee consisting of at least one member with expertise in each of the three main areas of economics (microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics), and shall include a member outside of the department. The examiners shall determine whether or not the candidate has mastered the technical and expository skills necessary to complete a dissertation, so they may ask questions about any material covered in the core courses as well as the candidate's research paper. Questions about core material asked in the context of the research paper are to be expected. If the candidacy exam committee unanimously determines that the candidate has the necessary skills, then they will appoint a dissertation committee to guide the preparation of the dissertation. Students who fail a candidacy exam are given only one more opportunity to pass.

Note: Beginning with the class entering in Fall, 2012, there will be a written preliminary exam given after the end of the first year.  This preliminary exam will substitute for the general economics knowledge component of the advancement exam.  And the advancement exam will be based instead on one of the student’s field papers (described below), or on rare occasions on a very well developed research proposal.  This oral exam will typically take place at end of the second year, although in some circumstances it can take place at the end of the third year.

Fields of Specialization

Students must show mastery of two subfields in economics by taking a two-course sequence (possibly including independent reading courses) and writing a sole-authored research paper in each field. Each paper must be approved by a faculty supervisor chosen by the student who attests that the paper represents the student's independent ideas and research, and by a second reader assigned by the Director of Graduate Studies. In order to be judged as making normal progress in the Economics Ph.D. program, one field paper must be completed and approved by the end of the Summer Quarter of the second year and the second paper completed and approved by the end of the Summer Quarter of the third year.

Oral Examination of the Dissertation Prospectus

Two or three quarters before the expected completion of the dissertation, the dissertation committee will organize an oral examination of the candidate’s dissertation prospectus. Ordinarily, the prospectus will describe in detail the dissertation, and will typically be accompanied by at least one completed chapter of the dissertation. The examination committee is the candidate’s dissertation committee.  This committee will also certify that the candidate has successfully completed the departmental field requirements. Students should complete this exam before the end of their fourth year.

The candidate must notify the Director of Graduate Studies of a planned examination at least two weeks ahead of time. Examination materials (completed elements of the proposed thesis and the field papers) must be submitted to all committee members and the Director of Graduate Studies at least one week before the examination.

The student must receive the unanimous approval of the examination committee to pass the prospectus exam.

You can view the Dissertation Prospectus Proposal Exam Form here.

Colloquium

Students are required to enroll in at least four quarters of the graduate colloquium (Economics 200A-B-C), in which they hear and discuss papers presented at a regular faculty colloquia series. The colloquium is designed to assist students, through class discussions and supplementary readings, in relating their knowledge to actual research practice by active professionals, including their own faculty. Students may take as many additional quarters of the colloquium for credit as they wish. Whether or not they are enrolled in the course, all students are strongly urged to attend colloquia on a regular basis as an important means of learning about current research.

Teaching Assistantships

Students who are planning an academic career are expected to serve as teaching assistants for at least three quarters.

Curriculum

Courses offered are described below. Economics 200A-B-C, 210A-B-C, 210D-E-F, and 220A-B-C-D are normally offered every year. Other courses are offered at times determined by student and faculty interest. Economics 100A-B-C, listed as a prerequisite to many graduate courses, is an undergraduate core course entitled Intermediate Economic Theory I, II, III. All students are urged to take Mathematics for Economists (203A), so-called "Math Camp", offered before the start of the Fall Quarter.

Note: Beginning with the class entering in Fall 2012, all students are also urged to take Statistics and Econometrics I (220A/221A), so called "Probability Camp."  This course is offered after Math Camp, but before the start of the Fall Quarter.

A Sample Ph.D. Program (for students starting before 2012)

Year 1

Year 2

A Sample Ph.D. Program (beginning with the entering class, Fall, 2012)

Year 1

Year 2

*These courses are offered in the summer before the fall quarter starts.  Although not required, you are strongly encouraged to take both of them.

To summarize, during the second year, students advance to candidacy and complete one field paper. During the third year students complete a second field paper. During the fourth year students prepare and take the oral examination of their dissertation prospectus. Students are encouraged to take additional elective and colloquium courses in their third and fourth years. The fifth year is devoted to completing the dissertation.

Requirements for the Master's Degree

The Master's degree is awarded only to students admitted to the Ph.D. program who have completed the following requirements:

The ten core courses in microeconomics (210A-B-C), macroeconomics (210D-E-F), and econometrics (220A-B-C-D), with no grade lower than a B and with a grade point average across all graduate courses of at least 3.1.

A research paper that consists of an extended literature review in a subfield approved by the graduate committee or a replication and extension of an empirical paper published in a refereed economics journal.

An oral exam is also required.  The exam used in the Advancement to Candidacy Exam described above, on which a Master’s Pass may be given as a grade by the exam committee.  Note: Beginning with the class entering in Fall 2012, a student will qualify for the master’s degree based on a grade assigned on the written preliminary exam.