Program Overview

The PhD in Economics is designed to prepare students for careers as professional economists in academia, government, and the private sector. The program is structured so that a student with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and an appointment as a graduate assistant should be able to complete the required coursework within three academic years, excluding summer sessions. Students with a Master of Arts in Applied Economics degree may be able to complete the required coursework in less time, depending on the content and quality of the previous work. The length of time required to complete the dissertation varies greatly but students usually complete the entire program, including the dissertation, within four years.