During the first year, a foundation in economic theory and the basic quantitative and mathematical tools necessary for professional research is given. Students take a Micro Theory sequence and an Econometrics sequence, as well as courses in Mathematical Economics and Economic Dynamics.

After the first year, all PhD students take a core sequence of one Macroeconomics course and two courses in Environmental and Natural Resource (ENR) Economics.* Additionally, they choose five electives from a menu that varies from semester to semester and is put together with student input. The electives reflect our faculty’s research in areas additional to ENR, such as Development Economics, Energy Economics, Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Industrial Organization, and International Trade.

During the second year of the PhD program, the student selects a major professor and a dissertation committee in consultation with that professor. The faculty members on this committee will supervise and evaluate the student’s research.

The PhD program’s qualifying examination takes the form of a research paper requirement. Students must complete a paper by the end of the summer following their second year, and present that paper to their committee. If the paper and presentation are judged adequate, the student is awarded a Master’s degree in Economics and continues in the PhD program. Otherwise, the student is given one chance to revise and resubmit their paper, by December of their third year. If the revision is still judged inadequate, the student fails out of the PhD program, but may (depending on the quality of the revision) still be awarded a Master’s degree.

During the third year of the PhD program, the student is expected to complete course work and prepare a dissertation proposal. The dissertation committee gives an oral examination based on this proposal, which constitutes the preliminary exam for degree candidacy. We expect students to have received committee approval of their dissertation proposal before entering their fourth year.

During the third year and beyond, the majority of time is devoted to dissertation research. The student will usually also be asked to teach at least one undergraduate course and to assist in faculty research projects. Following successful completion of the dissertation, students present an oral defense to their committee. A favorable report from the committee completes the requirements for the doctor of philosophy degree.