Program Overview
The Economics concentration in the PhD program provides students with both the theoretical background and strong empirical skills necessary to be a professional economist. The strong analytical skills and extensive training in empirical methods using the latest econometric tools make our graduates highly sought after. Recent graduates have found employment opportunities at major Universities, government agencies, and Fortune 500 firms .
The Economics Department has a very productive faculty conducting research in many areas, including labor economics, health economics, international economics, macroeconomics, and industrial organization. Graduate Assistantships provide an opportunity for students to interact with faculty that often lead to joint research projects and publications in scholarly journals. Publications have appeared in leading economics journals including the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Health Economics, European Economic Review, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, International Journal of Industrial Organization, Journal of Development Economics, International Economic Review, Journal of Comparative Economics, and the Southern Economics Journal. The department hosts a research seminar allowing visiting scholars to present the latest research on topics of interest to faculty and students.
The basic curriculum includes microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics. Students then focus on a field of interest such as health economics, labor economics, or international economics, among others. More detailed information about all aspects of the program is provided in PhD in Economics Handbook.
With a strong curriculum and supportive faculty, students receive the highest quality education in contemporary economics. Graduate research and teaching assistantships provide hands on experience and financial support as well. The end result is a graduate with excellent analytical skills and strong training in empirical methods that give our graduates a competitive edge in today's global labor market.
Curriculum
- Core Courses - 27 credit hours
- Economic Theory - 12 hours
- ECON 6315 - Applied Macroeconomics
- ECON 7300 - Economic Theory & Decisions
- ECON 8310 - Advanced Microeconomics I
- ECON 8320 - Advanced Macroeconomics I
- Quantitative Methods & Econometrics - 15 hours
- ECON 6810 - Quant Economic Analysis
- ECON 8125 - Applied Statistical Methods for Business & Economics
- ECON 8810 - Econometrics I
- ECON 8811 - Applied Microeconometrics
- ECON 8812 - Time Series Econometrics
- Economic Theory - 12 hours
- Electives in Economics or Other Departments - 27-39 credit hours
- Dissertation Hours - 6-18 credit hours
Next Step
Review the Admission Requirements for the PhD program and apply today!
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