Introduction to the Ph.D. in Economics Program

The Department of Economics at the College of Business Administration in King Saud University offers a Ph.D. program in Economics. The program aims to provide high-quality education in line with the values and traditions of the prevailing environment.

Program Details

Degree's Name

The degree offered is a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D. in Economics).

Program's Teaching Language

The program's teaching language is English.

Significance and Justifications of Program Creation

The program was created to:

• Provide high-quality education in line with the values and traditions of the prevailing environment.
• Carry out high-level research in economics, especially in fields related to the needs of the Saudi economy and business.
• Satisfy the high level of domestic and regional demand for post-master's education in economics.
• Keep pace with the fast developments in the fields of economics and business.
• Satisfy the needs of the Saudi public and private sectors for postgraduates in economics.

Program's Vision

The program's vision is to achieve leadership in graduating highly skilled economists and researchers.

Program's Mission

The program's mission is to provide students with the advanced concepts, tools, and skills necessary to identify, define, analyze, solve, and predict economic problems through a rigorous educational program that integrates theory and applied research tools with applications in a wide variety of fields within economics relevant to comprehensive development.

Program's Objectives

The program's objectives are to:

• Enable students to learn and comprehend advanced economic theory.
• Equip students with advanced economic tools of analysis.
• Qualify students to be capable researchers and to adopt economic theory and tools to formulate and test hypotheses.
• Enable students to use advanced economic theory, methods, and research tools to study and explain economic phenomena, analyze economic problems, evaluate and predict public policy impacts.
• Equip students to communicate their economic ideas using the latest information techniques.
• Prepare students to serve local, national, and international communities in solving economic problems and their social, political, administrative, cultural, and legal extensions.

Program's Outcomes

The program's outcomes are categorized into four areas:

A- Knowledge and Comprehension

• Demonstrate mastery of economics, both in its theoretical and applied aspects.
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct high-quality research through the application of economic theory to specific topics involving the formulation and empirical evaluation of the considered topics.
• Expose students to core economic theories, required mathematical and quantitative tools, and empirical materials.
• Acquire the ability to demonstrate mastery of the issues, theories, and developments in one of the specializations offered by the program.

B- Mental Skills

• Identify and synthesize existing materials in economics at an advanced level.
• Develop models of high importance and apply them to specific areas of research.

C- Professional and Practical Skills

• Prepare students to become experts in economics.
• Produce a high-quality doctoral thesis that can be published, in whole or parts of it, in prestigious academic journals.

D- General Skills

• Apply employable skills (i.e., teaching experience) to further professional endeavors.
• Contribute to the economics literature through both theoretical and empirical research.
• Enhance critical and creative thinking skills.
• Enhance technical and quantitative skills in conducting research on economic issues.
• Develop the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral presentations.

Program's Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the program include:

• Master's degree holders in economics (or equivalent) from Saudi or any other accredited universities.
• Private and government sectors' employees who fulfill the program requirements.

Employment Opportunities

There are many employment opportunities for graduates of the Ph.D. program, including:

• Faculty members (assistant professors) at universities and colleges in the Kingdom and other countries.
• Researchers at universities and colleges and at research institutions.
• Economic professionals at banks and financial institutions.
• Economic professionals at government's economic and planning agencies and at the private sectors.
• Economists qualified to work for local, regional, and international institutions.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements enumerated in the "Unified Law Organizing the Graduate Studies in Saudi Universities" and the rules and procedures of the regulatory and execution of graduate studies in King Saud University, the following are further admission requirements by the Department:

• The applicant should be a university degree holder in economics from a Saudi or any accredited university.
• The applicant must pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 520 paper-based test, or equivalent. The examination results should not exceed two years from the date of submitting the application.
• The applicant must submit GRE aptitude test results prior to admission.
• The applicant must pass an interview conducted by the Department.

Requirements for Obtaining the Degree

To obtain the degree, students must:

• Be enrolled as a full-time student.
• Pass 46 units of the program, which includes:
  • 22 units of compulsory courses (8 courses).
  • 18 units of elective courses (6 courses).
  • 6 units of seminars (2 courses).
• Pass comprehensive examinations after completion of all courses.
• Successfully complete a doctoral thesis.

Program's General Structure

The program consists of courses and a thesis. The number of required units is 46 units for courses, in addition to 12 units for the thesis.

List of Compulsory Core, Elective, and Seminar Courses

Compulsory Core Courses

1. ECON 601 - Microeconomics Theory (1)
2. ECON 602 - Macroeconomics Theory (1)
3. ECON 611 - Microeconomics Theory (2)
4. ECON 612 - Macroeconomics Theory (2)
5. ECON 603 - Mathematical Economics
6. ECON 604 - Econometrics (1)
7. ECON 614 - Econometrics (2)
8. ECON 699 - Thesis Proposal Preparation

Elective Courses

Students must choose 6 elective courses, totaling 18 units. The courses choice will be in accordance with the Ph.D. department advisor. Some of the elective courses include:

• ECON 664 - Natural Resources Economics
• ECON 686 - Energy Economics
• ECON 624 - Environmental Economics
• ECON 680 - Organizational Economics
• ECON 684 - Labor Economics (1)
• ECON 685 - Labor Economics (2)
• ECON 687 - Labor Relations
• MGT 614 - Seminar in Human Resources Management
• ECON 650 - International Trade Theory
• ECON 652 - International Finance
• ECON 651 - International Trade Policies
• ECON 653 - Economics of Financial Markets
• ECON 630 - Economics of Development
• ECON 632 - Economic Planning
• ECON 631 - Economic Growth
• ECON 633 - Regional Economics
• ECON 655 - Monetary Economics
• ECON 609 - Financial Econometrics
• ECON 661 - Islamic Finance
• ECON 662 - Islamic Economic Thought

Seminar Courses

Students must choose 2 seminar courses, totaling 6 units, in accordance with the Ph.D. department advisor. Some of the seminar courses include:

• ECON 690 - Seminar in Resources and Energy Economics
• ECON 691 - Seminar in Labor Economics
• ECON 692 - Seminar in International Economics
• ECON 693 - Seminar in Economics of Development
• ECON 694 - Seminar in Financial and Monetary Economics
• ECON 695 - Seminar in Islamic Economics and Finance

Program's Study Plan

The program's study plan is divided into six levels:

1. First Level: ECON 601, ECON 602, ECON 603, ECON 604 (12 units)
2. Second Level: ECON 611, ECON 612, ECON 614 (9 units)
3. Third Level: Elective courses (9 units)
4. Fourth Level: Elective courses, seminar course, and thesis proposal preparation (10 units)
5. Fifth Level: Elective course and seminar course (6 units)
6. Sixth Level: Comprehensive exam and thesis (12 units)

Courses Description

Each course has a detailed description, including:

• ECON 601 - Microeconomics Theory (1)
• ECON 611 - Microeconomics Theory (2)
• ECON 602 - Macroeconomics Theory (1)
• ECON 612 - Macroeconomics Theory (2)
• ECON 603 - Mathematical Economics
• ECON 604 - Econometrics (1)
• ECON 614 - Econometrics (2)
• ECON 633 - Regional Economics
• ECON 653 - Economics of Financial Markets
• ECON 664 - Natural Resources Economics
• ECON 680 - Organizational Economics
• ECON 686 - Energy Economics
• ECON 624 - Environmental Economics
• ECON 684 - Labor Economics (1)
• ECON 685 - Labor Economics (2)
• ECON 687 - Labor Relations
• ECON 650 - International Trade Theory
• ECON 652 - International Finance
• ECON 651 - International Trade Policies
• ECON 655 - Monetary Economics
• ECON 609 - Financial Econometrics
• ECON 661 - Islamic Finance
• ECON 662 - Islamic Economic Thought
• ECON 630 - Economics of Development
• ECON 632 - Economic Planning
• ECON 631 - Economic Growth
• MGT 614 - Seminar in Human Resource Management
• ECON 690 - Seminar in Resources and Energy Economics
• ECON 691 - Seminar in Labor Economics
• ECON 692 - Seminar in International Economics
• ECON 693 - Seminar in Economics of Development
• ECON 694 - Seminar in Financial and Monetary Economics
• ECON 695 - Seminar in Islamic Economics and Finance
• ECON 699 - Thesis Proposal Preparation
• ECON 700 - Thesis

King Saud University: A Comprehensive Overview

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Overview:

King Saud University (KSU) is a prominent public research university located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest university in the country and holds a prestigious position in the global academic landscape.

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Services Offered:

KSU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Programs:

A diverse selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Scholarships:

Financial assistance for deserving students.

Training:

Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.

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Support services such as counseling, career guidance, and health care.

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On-campus accommodation options for students.

Libraries:

Extensive library resources and facilities.

Museums:

Cultural and historical museums for enriching experiences.

Student Clubs:

Opportunities for extracurricular activities and social engagement.

Sports Facilities:

Modern sports facilities for recreational and competitive activities.

Recreation Centers:

Spaces for relaxation and entertainment.

Electronic Services:

Online platforms for accessing academic resources, financial and administrative systems, and communication tools.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

KSU provides a vibrant and enriching campus experience for its students. The university boasts:

Modern Campuses:

Well-equipped and spacious campuses with state-of-the-art facilities.

Active Student Life:

A thriving student community with numerous clubs, organizations, and events.

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A diverse student body representing various nationalities and backgrounds.

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Opportunities for students to participate in community service initiatives.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Academic Excellence:

KSU is renowned for its high-quality academic programs and distinguished faculty.

Research Opportunities:

The university fosters a strong research culture with numerous research centers and initiatives.

Global Recognition:

KSU holds a prominent position in international rankings, signifying its academic standing.

Comprehensive Services:

The university provides a wide range of support services to ensure student success.

Vibrant Campus Life:

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Academic Programs:

KSU offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:

Science:

Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Pharmacy, and more.

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Arts, Languages, Literature, Social Sciences, and more.

Community Colleges:

Programs focused on vocational and technical skills.

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Other: