Program Overview
Introduction to the Ph.D. in Environmental Economics
The Ph.D. in Environmental Economics focuses on the intersection of economics and the environment, training students to inform decision-making in environmental policy. This program emphasizes quantitative approaches and offers unique strengths in interdisciplinary and marine applications, including fisheries, offshore energy, coastal land use, sea level rise, and climate change.
Program Overview
The program prepares students for jobs in academia, government, and the private sector, including consulting, think tanks, and industry. Students learn state-of-the-art economic and policy analysis methods pertaining to environmental issues.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the program is competitive, based on grades, letters of recommendation, and an application essay. A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is expected. The SMSP Graduate Committee evaluates each applicant for admission, reserving the right to interview applicants, although this is not required for admission. A four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in any academic field from an accredited college or university is required. International students must have a TOEFL score of 90 or higher, or an overall band score of 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no individual speaking score being less than 6.
Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. in Environmental Economics program trains graduate students to achieve the highest level of proficiency in economics and policy analysis pertaining to environmental issues. All doctoral students work closely with faculty on their dissertation research. The coursework provides a solid foundation for original research and extends the student's knowledge beyond mastering a primary set of knowledge and skills.
Required Courses
- MAST 675/ECON 675 Natural Resource Economics
- MAST 676/ECON 676 Environmental Economics
- MAST 688 Climate Change Economics
- ECON 811 Microeconomic Theory I
- ECON 813 Microeconomic Theory II
- ECON 822 Econometric Theory I
- ECON 823 Econometric Theory II
- UAPP 701 Public Policy or UAPP 707 Public Policy Analysis
- MAST 610 Coupling Natural & Human Systems (substitution of another science course is allowed with approval by advisor)
- 18 elective credit hours approved by advisor
- MAST 969 Dissertation Research
Doctoral Committee
Each doctoral committee shall consist of not less than four and not more than six members, selected by the student and the advisor. The committee is composed of the student's advisor, members from the SMSP faculties, and at least one member who holds a doctoral degree and does not have an SMSP appointment.
Milestone Requirements
To be entered into candidacy, students must complete two milestone requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of the dissertation proposal, at the discretion of the advisor in consultation with the student's advisory committee.
- A qualifying examination must be successfully completed.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination includes written and oral components, prepared and administered by the advisor in consultation with the student's advisory committee. Students are ordinarily required to first submit a research proposal and be in good academic standing to take the qualifying examination.
Dissertation Defense
Ph.D. students must write and defend a dissertation. The student's advisory committee serves as the examining board. The written dissertation is provided to the members of the committee in advance, followed by an oral defense that is open to the public.
Sample Schedule
A sample schedule for the program is provided, outlining the coursework and milestones for each semester.
Additional Requirements
All full-time graduate students are required to attend departmental or college seminars in their fields of study and make presentations at these seminars. Students are encouraged to attend other University seminars pertinent to their research.