Graduate Program
The department offers both a masters degree and a PhD degree.
MA students take core masters-level courses in Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Theory, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics. Additionally, students take electives and write a masters paper or, occasionally, a masters thesis. Students normally complete their MA degree in two semesters, plus a final summer if necessary. Typically the MA degree prepares students for jobs in the government, business, non-profit sectors, or for the Ph.D. program.
Ph.D. students take core Ph.D.-level courses in Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Theory, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, and History of Economic Thought. Additionally, Ph.D. students take field courses, including two courses from a primary field. Current primary fields offered by the Department include: (1) Industrial Organization, (2) Labor Economics, and (3) Macro/Monetary Economics. Additional field courses are chosen from the wide array offered by the department, including: Development Economics, Economic History, Environmental Economics, Health Economics, Labor Economics, Law and Economics, Productivity Analysis, Transitional Economics, and Urban and Regional Economics. Taken together, Ph.D. students construct a five course field in which they must demonstrate professional mastery. The typical amount of time required for completion of the Ph.D. is five years.
Currently, about 70 students are enrolled in Economics Graduate Programs. About 30% of our students are women, 70% are international students, and over 80% of PhD students receive financial aid. We feel that the diversity of our students is important, and adds to the overall strength of our program.
Departmental Financial Assistance
The Department provides a limited number of graduate assistantships for Ph.D. students, which include both a stipend and a tuition waiver. Selection is based on merit (rather than need). Applicants to the Ph.D. program who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should indicate this on their application. Graduate assistantships are available for a maximum of five years of study in the PhD program. Graduate assistantships are not typically available to students in the Masters program.