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The department of Economics at Harvard University is committed to seeking out and mentoring scholars who wish to pursue a rigorous and rewarding career in economic research. Our graduates are trailblazers in their fields and contribute to a diverse alumni community in both the academic and non-academic sectors. We invite you to learn more about the PhD program in Economics . Have questions about applying? Please thoroughly check the GSAS admission website before emailing us at: [email protected] . 

Harvard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job or course of study requirements, and we actively  seek applicants  from historically underrepresented communities. We hope you’ll consider applying. Immigration status does not factor into decisions about admissions and financial aid. For more information, see  Undocumented at Harvard . 

Apply to Economics @Harvard

Application Requirements

• Completed online application form (Must be completed by December 1st)
• Statement of Purpose
• Transcripts for all college/university degrees and courses Self-reported transcripts are accepted for both all programs at the application stage. Applicants must upload copies of his/her transcripts to the online application system. Hard copy transcripts will only be required if admitted to a program, prior to enrollment.
• Current GRE scores
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native English speakers see details below)
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source). Recommendation letters must be submitted online through the online application system. 
• Application fee 
• Writing sample (at least 15 pages in length)

All applicants are required to take the  General Test of the Graduate Record Examination  (GRE). Test scores are valid for five years (scores must be from no earlier than January 5, 2019 for Fall 2024 admission). Applicants are, however, advised to take the exam no later than mid-November. There is no minimum test score requirement. A department code is not required for score submission. Institution Codes for PhD Programs GRE: 3451

Financial Aid

All admitted students are awarded a financial package which includes tuition, single-person health insurance, living stipend for the first two years, teaching and research assistant stipends and a completion fellowship in the final year of the program.

International Applications

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an institution at which English is the language of instruction must submit  TOEFL  or IELTS scores.

TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for two years. (scores must be from no earlier than January 5, 2022 for Fall 2024 admission). The committee prefers scores of at least 100 on the internet-based test.  Institution Codes for Toefl score reports PhD programs: 3451

Reapplicants

Applicants who applied last year are considered reapplicants. Those reapplying must submit a completely new application. The new application must include all required documents to be provided by the applicant - we will not re-use material previously submitted. These materials include an updated statement of purpose, transcripts, test score reports, updated letters of recommendation, the application fee, and any other supporting materials

Please note, Harvard University will accept no more than three applications from any one individual over the course of his/her lifetime.

Applying to more than one Program

Harvard has several PhD programs that may also be of interest to students considering applying to the PhD program in economics. These include Business Economics, Political Economy and Government, Public Policy, and Health Policy.  Many students in these programs have considerable overlap in their coursework with courses offered to PhD students in economics.   Many also have dissertation committees that include faculty members of the economics department. Please refer to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for applicable program deadlines.  (Deadlines have already passed for some programs this year but not for others.) We encourage those with interest in any of those programs to also apply to those programs. The economics department will make admissions decisions independently, so application to or admission to other programs will not adversely affect admissions decisions within the Economics department. If you opt to apply, please note, the Graduate School will not accept more than three applications from any individual during the course of his or her academic career. 

Application Assistance and Mentoring Program

Many students interested in an economics PhD experience disparate degrees of support in the application process. The Application Assistance and Mentoring Program (AAMP) aims to mitigate these gaps by helping students from underrepresented groups connect with a graduate student mentor in MIT or Harvard’s PhD economics programs. These mentors can provide:

• Advice on graduate school and fellowship applications, including questions about the application process and feedback on application materials.

• Information about economics research, life as a PhD student or in an academic career, for students who are deciding whether a PhD in economics is the right choice for them.

The AAMP aims to increase the pipeline of diverse talent in economics PhD programs and welcomes participation from all groups underrepresented in economics, including but not limited to: Black, Hispanic-Latinx, Native American, low-income, and LGBTQ+ students, women, students with disabilities, and students who are the first in their families to go to college. The AAMP welcomes participation among students at various stages of their economics studies, including undergraduates and college graduates. The AAMP is open to students who are curious about the academic economics experience and interested in figuring out if it’s right for them. 

Interested participants should fill out the application linked below. We will accept applications until July 17th, 2023. Mentorship will begin over the summer and continue through Fall 2023. Mentees who prefer to meet for a single “coffee chat” may indicate their preference on the form. We will do our best to match all interested applicants with a mentor; however, demand may exceed the availability of mentors.

Please note that the MIT / Harvard Economics AAMP is a volunteer-based, student-run program. This program is not considered part of the admissions process for the Economics PhD at MIT or Harvard, nor will any student's participation in the AAMP be considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee at either school.

Please direct any questions to [email protected] . To join the program, please click the link below to fill out the form.

Application Assistance and Mentoring Program Form

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Department of Economics

Ph.D. Admissions

The ph.d. in economics.

The Ph.D. program in economics admits between 8 and 12 students per year and prepares them for a successful career in academia, government, international organizations, or the private sector. In the first year, students take classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, as well as mathematical economics and economic history. In the second and third year, students take 21 credit hours of specialized classes in at least two of the following concentrations:

• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomic Theory
• Econometrics
• Economic Development
• Economic History
• Health Economics
• Industrial Organization
• International Economics
• Labor Economics
• Money and Financial Institutions
• Public Economics

Students can petition to combine at least two related classes to a nonstandard concentration.  

Applying to the Program

The application deadline for the Ph.D. program is January 15th for the coming fall semester. Successful applicants have strong quantitative backgrounds and a passion for research in  economics. The  application fee is $95.00 upon submission.

Please direct all Ph.D. admission inquiries to [email protected] .

Qualifications

Our incoming students usually have an undergraduate degree in economics and/or mathematics, with significant quantitative and math-intensive course experience. Many international applicants have a master’s degree. Research experience (such as an undergraduate or master’s thesis, or work as a research assistant) is a plus.  

• Required: One year of calculus, one semester of statistics, and intermediate-level courses in microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory.
• Strongly recommended: Courses in linear algebra, differential equations, real analysis, and econometrics. 

Information to Submit

• Self-reported/unofficial or official GRE scores
• International students: self-reported/unofficial or official TOEFL or IELTS scores. This requirement will be waived for an international student with a degree from an institution in which English is the official language of instruction. Furthermore, while a TOEFL score is optional for applicants attending an English-language university in a non-English-speaking country, it can often be helpful to demonstrate command of English.
• Unofficial transcripts
• 3-5 letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose

In your statement of purpose, tell us how your studies so far have prepared you for a Ph.D. program, and share what fascinates you about research in economics.  

Visiting Campus

Campus visits are offered to everyone admitted to the program. Visits consist of a half-day of individual meetings with faculty members and students, plus lunch. 

Q: What test scores do admitted candidates usually have  on the GRE?

A: Applicants often overestimate the importance of GRE scores for Ph.D. applications. The GRE tests whether you can do high school math quickly and correctly, as well as your vocabulary. Scores below a certain level (say, below 155 verbal and below 161 quantitative) tend to indicate problems, while very high scores do not necessarily guarantee that you are fully prepared for a Ph.D. program in economics.

For candidates who satisfy these thresholds, we look primarily at their preparation for a Ph.D. program in terms of how they did in the challenging courses they took in both advanced economics and math, rather than going only by their specific GRE scores.

Q: Do you have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score?

A: Admitted international candidates tend to have a minimum TOEFL speaking score of 24 or an IELTS speaking score of 7. 

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Doctoral Program

The Ph.D. program is a full time program leading to a Doctoral Degree in Economics.  Students specialize in various fields within Economics by enrolling in field courses and attending field specific lunches and seminars.  Students gain economic breadth by taking additional distribution courses outside of their selected fields of interest.

General requirements

Students  are required to complete 1 quarter of teaching experience. Teaching experience includes teaching assistantships within the Economics department or another department .

University's residency requirement

135 units of full-tuition residency are required for PhD students. After that, a student should have completed all course work and must request Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) status.

Department degree requirements and student checklist

1. core course requirement.

Required: Core Microeconomics (202-203-204) Core Macroeconomics (210-211-212) Econometrics (270-271-272).  The Business School graduate microeconomics class series may be substituted for the Econ Micro Core.  Students wishing to waive out of any of the first year core, based on previous coverage of at least 90% of the material,  must submit a waiver request to the DGS at least two weeks prior to the start of the quarter.  A separate waiver request must be submitted for each course you are requesting to waive.  The waiver request must include a transcript and a syllabus from the prior course(s) taken.  

2.  Field Requirements

Required:  Two of the Following Fields Chosen as Major Fields (click on link for specific field requirements).  Field sequences must be passed with an overall grade average of B or better.  Individual courses require a letter grade of B- or better to pass unless otherwise noted.

Research fields and field requirements :

• Behavioral & Experimental
• Development Economics
• Econometric Methods with Causal Inference
• Econometrics
• Economic History
• Environmental, Resource and Energy Economics
• Industrial Organization
• International Trade & Finance
• Labor Economics
• Market Design
• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomics
• Political Economy
• Public Economics

3.  Distribution

Required:  Four other graduate-level courses must be completed. One of these must be from the area of economic history (unless that field has already been selected above). These courses must be distributed in such a way that at least two fields not selected above are represented.  Distribution courses must be passed with a grade of B or better.

4.  Field Seminars/Workshops

Required:  Three quarters of two different field seminars or six quarters of the same field seminar from the list below.   

Other Links

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PhD Program Admissions

The Economics Department recruits the most promising students from the United States and around the world who are interested in pursuing a  Ph.D. in economics . 

We are committed to establishing an academic environment that is collegial and supports students at every stage of their careers in a climate of integrity and respect. We are also committed to the removal of barriers that inhibit access to our program by women and underrepresented minorities.

Consistent with these goals, the department reviews holistically each candidate’s application looking for evidence of cognitive and non-cognitive skills. On the cognitive side, we look for candidates with adequate analytical and mathematical foundations, as necessary requirements for research in economics. The minimum mathematics requirements are two semesters of calculus and a semester of linear algebra. In practice, most students we admit have more than the minimum mathematical preparation and have taken courses in real analysis, differential / difference equations, and probability theory. On the non-cognitive side, we look for candidates who are mature, curious, creative, self-motivated, persistent, work well with others, and can offer a diversity of perspectives.

Previous study of economics is expected but candidates without prior economics background may also be admitted. 

Our entering cohorts in the last few years have averaged around 10-12 new students per year, out of more than 400 applications.  

The application deadline is January 15 of the year in which the student intends to enter the program. Admission is for the fall term only. All applicants are automatically considered for financial aid. The department typically makes admissions and financial aid decisions in early March.

All fee waiver requests are handled by the Dietrich School's Graduate Office. Please see their Application Fee Waiver page for more information. 

For the  admission season 2023-24 , applicants are required to submit all the material listed below. For this application cycle, submission of  GRE scores  is  optional . If applicants choose to submit GRE scores, the admission committee will evaluate them as part of its holistic review of application materials.

• Completed application , submitted on-line through the  GradCAS  portal. Please see our  Applying to the PhD Program  page for further information. Please download and print the  instructions  for completing the online application before beginning the application process.
• A  $75 application fee , payable online with a credit card or by check or money order payable to the University of Pittsburgh. Applicants who indicate they are paying by check and do not submit the application fee will not be considered for admission. On a case-by-case basis,  application fee waivers  may be granted.
• Transcripts  from all undergraduate or graduate programs attended, showing grades earned, degree conferred, and the date when the degree was conferred. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with the online application; official transcripts will be required of all successful applicants at the time of matriculation to the program. Applicants who are in the process of earning a degree should submit a current transcript at the time they apply. A notarized English translation is required if transcripts are in a language other than English.
• English language requirement.  If an applicant’s native language is not English, they need to submit a  TOEFL  (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or  IELTS  (International English Language Testing System) or  Duolingo English Test  score. Applicants who have earned or expect to earn a degree from a college or university in the United States are exempt from this requirement. Also exempt from this requirement are applicants whose native language is not English but who have completed a degree program at an institution outside of the United States where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located includes English. To be considered for admission, applicants must have a minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test, with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). For the TOEFL, the Institution Code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927; the Department Code for Economics is 84.   The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.0, with at least a score of 6.5 in each of the four sections. Note that applicants must take the academic reading and writing modules, not the general training reading and writing modules. The minimum acceptable Duolingo English Test score is 120.
• Three letters of recommendation , which must be submitted on-line. Letters should be written on letterhead stationery and signed by the recommender.
• A career statement of 500 words or less  that addresses your intellectual and professional goals and answers the following questions: What has prompted you to pursue graduate study in economics? What are your ultimate professional goals and aspirations? Which subfield of economics has your primary interest?

Please see our  frequently asked questions  page for more information, or contact our Graduate Program Administrator.

On November 7th, Professor Luca Rigotti, Director of Graduate Studies, hosted an information session to go over the aspects of the program and answer any admissions questions. If you missed the session, you can view a recording here.  

View the 2024 Prospective PhD Visit Day slides here. 

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Ph.D. Admissions

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The Department of Economics is home to over 50 faculty members and approximately 140 enrolled graduate students. The department hosts weekly seminars with academics from around the world in a wide range of subfields within economics including behavioral economics, international economics, industrial relations, industrial organization, microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, finance, econometrics, development, political economy, and more. Graduate students are an integral part of these seminars and are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Members of the faculty interact with graduate students at weekly student workshops and seminars and are readily available to meet with students outside of class.

The Economics Department is located in the Julis Romo Rabinowitz (JRR) Building on Washington Road, which was dedicated in spring 2017. Post-generals graduate students are all provided office space in JRR. First- and second-year students have group offices with 12 unassigned desks in each. Prospective students can take a virtual tour of campus .

Please note: The Economics Department at Princeton does not offer a Master’s Degree. Students looking for information about the Master in Finance can learn more on the Princeton Bendheim Center for Finance website .

Admissions process

All applications are processed by the Graduate Admissions Office. The application for graduate admission is available here . The deadline to submit an application is December 15.

Admission decisions will be made in early March and students will be notified of the decision via email. Those students who are offered admission will be invited to visit the department for an admitted student visiting day.

Admissions requirements

Please visit the Graduate Admissions Office website for all admissions requirements. Information about the GRE and English language testing requirements can be found here .

Admissions questions: Who to ask

Prospective students can contact the Graduate Admissions Office with questions via email or by calling 609-258-3034. When sending emails to the Graduate Admissions Office, please do not send the same email to multiple Princeton email addresses. This will only cause a delay in response time.

• For questions regarding the Graduate School’s website, updates to an applicant’s contact information, or fee waivers, please contact [email protected] . General questions about the Graduate Admissions Office should also be directed to this address.
• For questions regarding GMAT, GRE, IELTS and TOEFL tests, please contact [email protected] .
• For questions regarding a submitted application, including application requirements that were not previously uploaded to that application, please contact [email protected] . Please review these tips before sending emails to this account.

For questions regarding non-degree programs, please contact [email protected] .

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Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. program at Berkeley is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced study and conducting original research in Economics. The Ph.D. degree is awarded in recognition of the recipient's qualifications as a general economist and of the ability to make scholarly contributions in fields of specialization. Additionally, the Economics Ph.D. program is residential, there is no remote enrollment option. 

In advancing to the Ph.D. degree, students pass through two major stages:

• Preparation for candidacy typically takes two to three years. During the first two semesters, students take courses to achieve competence in econometric methods, methods of economic history and fundamentals of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. During the next two years, students prepare for examination in two fields of specialization of their choosing, prepare a dissertation prospectus, and take an oral examination. When these steps are completed, students are advanced to candidacy.
• Completion of a dissertation after advancing to candidacy typically takes one to two years. The dissertation must be based on original research and represent a significant contribution to the body of Economic knowledge.

The entire process takes approximately five to six years, although some students are able to complete the program in less time. Below is an overview of the program requirements by year and other pertinent information.

The UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science   provides students helpful resources, links, and tools for successfully completing the Ph.D. in Economics.

ECONOMICS GRADUATE STUDENT SERVICES

The economics student services mission is to advise our students holistically by providing a high standard of service in a supportive and collaborative environment.  professional and peer advisors work as a team to provide accurate information in a timely manner.  we partner with faculty to assist students in engaging with the campus and the global economic community.  we value fairness, diversity, and the important roles our students, faculty, and staff in the department of economics play at the university of california, berkeley..

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial, food, housing or other basic needs challenges - you can find support and services at:  http://tinyurl.com/UCB-BNC-C19 .

Meet the members of the Economics Graduate Student Services advising team!

Graduate Office Address:

PhD Program

Year after year, our top-ranked PhD program sets the standard for graduate economics training across the country. Graduate students work closely with our world-class faculty to develop their own research and prepare to make impactful contributions to the field.

Our doctoral program enrolls 20-24 full-time students each year and students complete their degree in five to six years. Students undertake core coursework in microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics, and are expected to complete two major and two minor fields in economics. Beyond the classroom, doctoral students work in close collaboration with faculty to develop their research capabilities, gaining hands-on experience in both theoretical and empirical projects.

How to apply

Students are admitted to the program once per year for entry in the fall. The online application opens on September 15 and closes on December 15.

Meet our students

Our PhD graduates go on to teach in leading economics departments, business schools, and schools of public policy, or pursue influential careers with organizations and businesses around the world. 

Department of Economics

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The rigorous PhD economics program at Johns Hopkins is among the best in the nation. With its world-class faculty, individualized attention, and small classes, the doctoral program is the centerpiece of the Department of Economics. From financial analysis to applied research, students are well-prepared to be leaders in the field.

The department is dedicated to maintaining strong research and teaching cores in applied microeconomics, economic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Faculty members are experts in their fields, and they are actively involved in thesis supervision and research seminars . The unique Hopkins difference is the direct interaction and one-on-one attention students receive from faculty. Such attention opens the door to myriad opportunities for students to conduct groundbreaking research, apply complex economic theories, and make educated financial analyses and predictions.

Student Life

Graduate students enjoy a diverse social life outside of the department’s rigorous curriculum and their individual research interests. Faculty and students – from both inside and outside the department – have ample opportunities to spend time together socializing and discussing their studies. 

In addition to frequent student-planned happy hours, social outings, and local events, the Department of Economics and the JHU Graduate Representative Organization host many functions throughout the year.

• At the beginning of the fall semester, the Department of Economics hosts a welcome dinner and party to encourage new students to meet their peers, older students, and faculty.
• The department throws an annual holiday party immediately following completion of the first term, as well as an end-of-year barbecue to celebrate the completion of the spring semester.
• JHU sponsored coffee “happy hours” offer graduate students opportunities to meet people from outside their department.
• Intramural sports are popular among graduate students at Hopkins, and the economics department often forms teams that compete against other departments.

Students and faculty members often know each other by name before taking classes together, and first-year students enjoy straightforward access to faculty members and their more experienced peers. This collegial atmosphere makes for an easy transition into graduate life and comfortable communication once research begins in earnest.

Economics across JHU Schools

Carey business school.

The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School is the graduate business school of Johns Hopkins University and offers full-time and part-time programs leading to the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees.  The School has a number of distinguished economists who interact with the faculty and graduate students in the Department of Economics.

School of Advanced International Studies

The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is a graduate school of Johns Hopkins University based in Washington, D.C., United States, with campuses in Bologna, Italy, and Nanjing, China. It is consistently ranked one of the top graduate schools for international relations in the world.  The economists at the school interact with the faculty and graduate students in the Department of Economics.

Advanced Academic Programs Applied Economics

The Johns Hopkins Division of Advanced Academic Programs is a  division of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences in Washington DC which offers high-level graduate-level education in Applied Economics, with a variety of Masters Degrees designed to build on the intellectual strength and educational requirements of professional adults.

PhD in Economics

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PhD in Economics At a Glance

• 45 credit hours of course work, completed in as little as 2.5 years.
• Study diverse theoretical perspectives, including post-Keynesian, intuitionalist, evolutionary, and feminist economics.
• Tailor your field coursework to best match your research interests.
• Designated as a STEM degree program 
• Program Director: Professor Nathan Larson .

Tailor Your Degree to Your Research Interests

Offering a combination of rigorous technical training and a focus on policy-relevant research, our PhD in Economics will prepare you for careers in academics, research, and government. Our students master economic theory, statistical methods, and applied field knowledge. Then, through the dissertation-writing process, they develop the ability to formulate and empirically answer economic questions.  

• Diverse Perspectives : In addition to a strong foundation in macro and micro theory and econometrics, students learn a more diverse perspective on economics through required courses in economic thought and economic history, as well as optional courses in heterodox theoretical models of economics, including post-Keynesian, intuitionalist, evolutionary, and feminist economics.
• Flexibility : Students choose four applied field courses that best fit their research interests. The department offers a wide selection of concentrations, including courses in development, gender, international, labor, macro/monetary, and other applied micro topics.
• Preparation : Students must successfully pass one comprehensive exam at the end of their first year and produce a journal-quality research paper by the end of their third year. The third-year paper typically serves as a key component of the dissertation, giving students an advanced start on the dissertation writing process.

See complete Admissions and Program Requirements .

Faculty Dedicated to Your Success

At AU, you will take classes from and work with a diverse group of esteemed economists and highly cited scholars who are engaged with practitioners and policymakers around the world. Their wide-ranging research and publications , along with the variety of methodological approaches they use, create a rich environment for innovations in theory and empirical studies. 

Our research centers, including the Program on Gender Analysis in Economics and Infometrics Institute , host guest scholars and research projects, further enhancing the opportunities for graduate students. By working as research assistants and teaching assistants, PhD students gain valuable experience and mentorship in an academic setting.  

Throughout their third year and into the fourth, students work closely with a faculty member of their choosing on their third-year paper and dissertation proposal, eventually adding other experts to their dissertation committee to gain additional insights and expertise. Through this process, students develop lasting collegial, and productive relationships with faculty, classmates and economists at DC-area institutions, often co-authoring and publishing.  

Launch Your Career Amongst Top Economists 

The Washington metropolitan area employs over one-third of all economists in the country. The array of intellectual and professional opportunities offered by the nation's capital make American University the ideal place to study economics. The department's strategic partnerships and our faculty's relationships with nearby institutions will help you make the best use of those opportunities.

Internship and employment opportunities:

• The World Bank 
• International Monetary Fund
• Research institutes
• Think Tanks and NGOs
• US Treasury, Labor, and Commerce Departments 

Economics PhD graduates are well qualified for careers in academia, government agencies, and international organizations. Our students receive career mentorship and placement services that lead to careers in public policy, academia, and government, both domestically and abroad.

Many of our graduates go on to academic posts at universities such as the Saint Louis University, the University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Franklin College. Domestically, graduates have served in congress and government agencies, including the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Labor. Our alumni working outside of the US have founded research institutions and consulted for major organizations such as CGIAR-CIP and the United Nations. 

Read more career information about AU economics alumni.

See the 2017-8 list of job market candidates .

News & Notes

See abstracts from the 2024  Third Year Paper Conference .

Research Seminar Series Wednesdays at noon.

• PhD candidate Amy Burnett Cross received an EHA Dissertation Fellowship from the EHA Committee on Research in Economic History
• PhD student Danielle Wilson was awarded an Economic History Association grant for archival research on Mexican Railroads.
• PhD student Aina Puig's short essay, " The Unequal Effect of Interest Rates by Race, Gender, " was published in the San Francisco Fed's Economic Letter.
• Professor Bernhard Gunter and PhD students Bong Sun Seo & Farah Tasneem were awarded the  International Award for Excellence for their article on the change in labor force participation rates during periods of globalization and marginalization. 

Student Spotlights

More about Aina

San Francisco Federal Reserve Board’s essay contest  called for papers studying economic impacts of gender and racial inequalities. As a winner, Aina’s paper will be published in the Federal Reserve Board’s Economic Letter and will have the opportunity to participate in a 6-week summer research program.

Aina’s paper focused on the impact of monetary policy, through interest rates, on spending patterns among types of U.S. households—those with mortgages, those with women versus men as head of household, and those headed by White versus Black people. By building on her interest in macroeconomic inequality topics with direct policy implications, she intended (and continues to intend) to fill a gap in the literature, adding to the income inequality narrative by bringing gender and racial inequalities to the forefront of discussion.

Through this project, she was able to not only establish the impact of monetary policy shocks on consumption patterns, but also inform the Federal Reserve Board of these distributional impacts. When discussing her research, Aina states that “promoting equal opportunity and understanding the different impacts of policies can help policymakers create policies that promote economic growth while benefitting all groups’ well-being in society.”

Her interest in analyzing inequality topics through lens of distributional effects of macroeconomic policies came to life during her research for this paper and “ties directly into [her] plans for [her] dissertation…, a good starting point for [her] future research.”

Vasudeva Ramaswamy

More about Vasudeva

Economics PhD candidate Vasudeva Ramaswamy credits American University with helping him zero in on his area of research interest and for equipping him with the tools to explore and contribute to his field. 

During his time at AU, Vasu spent two summers working with the World Bank, studying the impact of agricultural aggregators in East Africa — specifically, how they provided income and security to farmer communities. 

Vasu’s dissertation considers the effects of the Federal Reserve Bank’s actions on household inequality. Who gains and who loses when the Fed increases (or decreases) interest rates? And how do these effects propagate through the economy? Because business income and profits play a key role in household inequality, Vasu looks at how businesses respond to the actions of the Fed. 

After he earns his PhD, Vasu says he would love to be able to continue researching the importance of economic heterogeneity in monetary policy transmission. “I am particularly grateful for AU’s faculty, who are leading experts in their field and approachable and encouraging as mentors,” he adds. “I am equally grateful for the rest of my PhD cohort, who are a brilliant and motivated group. I am learning from them continually.”

Elissa Cohen

More about Elissa

Economics PhD candidate Elissa Cohen received an NSF grant to pursue her research about assumptions people make about risk and, building off an idea from a previous project, Elissa continues her interest in the Value of Statistical Life in this one to question the validity of how VSL is used and estimated. In doing so, she contributes to development of a more complete theory of how perceptions of risk guide decision making.

Elissa asks three questions: (1) Is the construct validity of the VSL consistent across measurement approaches? (2) Do people value the mitigation of varying types of fatality risk differently across domains? (3) Do people accurately comprehend the probability of death in a given setting?

To answer these questions, Elissa uses discrete choice experimental (DCE) designs, self-report surveys, and machine learning techniques to evaluate the validity of the VSL as an assessment how people’s risk assessment shapes behavior.

This research improves the understanding of how people perceive fatality risk across domains and how perceptions impact choices about risk exposure. With this research comes the potential to reshape how regulatory agencies construct their aggregated VSL estimates for future cost-benefit analyses, influencing policy decisions and allocation of scarce federal resources.

As she thinks about impact and the research space she can contribute to and develop, Elissa comments, “AU has definitely helped me refine the types of questions I am interested in answering…. I see myself continuing to explore and test feedback loops between emergent human behaviors and macro-level policy decision-making.”

Amy Burnett Cross

More about Amy

Amy Burnett Cross has been selected as one of the three NBER Pre-Doctoral Fellows in the Gender in the Economy program to support her dissertation research on the influence of military policy on the sorting of women into occupations. Through this research, she is able to include her knowledge from AU’s Program on Gender Analysis in Economics as well as her understanding that by bringing more insight from conservative institutions into her research realm, she could enhance the policy space of gender equity.

As she continues her career, Amy desires to conduct research that is directly applicable to policymakers, and through her research on this project, Amy has the chance to do this in addition to engaging with economic history and begin to invest more time in the historical arc of military policy and gender dynamics.

She has three focuses for her dissertation project: (1) evaluate the impact of lifting the ban on women in combat (in 2013) on civilian occupational desegregation; (2) measure the extent to which gender desegregation of the Army (in 1977) signaled a shift in the appropriate role of civilian women at work; and (3) assess whether the structure of the U.S. draft in WWI (in 1917) contributed to the development of the male breadwinner norm.

Amy’s work aims to provide evidence that policy changes can influence social norms constraining women’s work and occupational segregation, particularly in discovering how policies regarding women’s participation in the military go on to influence gender gaps in civilian labor market outcomes. In doing so, Amy also seeks to contribute to the research of information asymmetry as a cause for occupational segregation—does military gender desegregation function as a reduction of information asymmetry?

With the support and accommodation of her peers, professors, and advisor, Mary E. Hansen, Amy has been able to focus on her academic excellence and develop close friendships and bonds during her journey at AU. In discussing her work in gender economics and the community at American University, Amy offered, “AU attracts women economists and I have found some truly excellent ones here.”

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Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Economics at Columbia University trains students to do cutting edge research in economics.  Students in our program do research in all major areas of economics including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, international economics, labor economics, public finance, industrial organization, development economics, and urban economics.  Our department provides strong training both in theoretical economics and in applied and empirical economics.  The Ph.D. program is primarily designed for students that are interested in pursuing a career in teaching and research within academia but is also useful for student interested in certain positions within governments, research organizations, or private businesses.

The first two years of our Ph.D. program is largely devoted to rigorous coursework. After the second year, however, students devote most of their time to their own research under the supervision of faculty advisors. Students in our program generally complete their Ph.D. in 5 or 6 years.

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly selective.  We receive approximately 1,000 applications each year for an incoming class of roughly 25 students.  We place a high value on attracting the very best minds, and recruiting members of groups who will both enhance the diversity of research in the field and contribute to the diversity of the university’s academic and professional community.

The Ph.D. program has a long and illustrious history.  Alumni of the program include some of the most distinguished economists of the last century – including Nobel Prize winners Kenneth J. Arrow, Milton Friedman, Simon Smith Kuznets, and William S. Vickrey.

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Ph.D. Program

Make an impact: The intellectual rigor from researchers associated with Yale Economics drives innovations in domestic and international policy.

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Yale's Department of Economics offers a challenging and rigorous academic program, a distinguished and accessible faculty, and a friendly, supportive environment for study.

Our core teaching faculty of 66 is supported by a diverse group of visiting professors and graduate student teaching assistants, making it one of the largest economics departments in the United States with one of the highest teacher/student ratios for the 130 Ph.D. students in residence.

The Department of Economics also has close ties with professional schools in related fields, such as the Yale School of Management, the Yale School of the Environment, and the Yale School of Public Health, where many of its secondary faculty members teach. It also works with affiliated centers, including the Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, the Economic Growth Center, and the newly created Tobin Center for Economic Policy . 

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Our Program

Yale's economics faculty embraces a broad range of research and teaching interests. Courses and seminars span a wide spectrum of economics, from dynamic structural models to field experiments. Our students apply econometric and data analytic methods to a variety of subjects in macroeconomics, labor economics and finance. Our courses examine critical economic policy issues, including antitrust and environmental regulation. Our focus is global, spanning the United States and developed economies to the developing nations of Latin America, Asia and Africa. Whatever your interest, our faculty is ready to guide you through a wide offering of more than a hundred regular courses, seminars or workshops, combined with individually tailored reading and research courses to best prepare you for your Ph.D. research and dissertation.

Our faculty is eclectic in methodologies and views of economics. There is no Yale dogma or school. You will acquire a critical perspective on the full range of approaches to macroeconomics. You will be well trained in neoclassical theory and in the theory of public choice, externalities and market failures. You will master the skills of sophisticated modern econometrics and understand pitfalls in its applications. You will gain respect for the power of contemporary mathematical models and also for history and for the insights of the great economists of the past.  

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Why Michigan?

The discipline of economics has become increasingly technical, focused on arcane abstractions, often failing to connect with the messiness of economics as it works in the “real” world. Michigan stands apart as a department which champions the view that the cutting-edge theoretical and empirical methods of economics can and should be used for understanding and improving the world in which we live. The faculty of the Department of Economics is committed to pursuing economic knowledge that contributes to solving significant social problems. The commitment to applied, relevant economics does not shun the development of new theoretical or statistical methods. Rather, rigorous analysis of problems requires fresh insights from theory and econometrics.

Michigan is a full-service department, offering fields in virtually all specializations of modern economics including microeconomic theory, econometrics, macroeconomics, finance, history, international economics, development, public finance, industrial organization, labor, and natural resources. Many faculty, and the students who work with them, collaborate with other programs on campus including the Ford School of Public Policy, the School of Public Health, the Institute for Social Research, the Ross School of Business, and the School of Information. With over 50 faculty actively engaged in research in the department, and an equal number in other programs on campus, graduate students can pursue a wide variety of specializations.

Career development

Michigan is rightfully proud of its placement record. For decades, every doctoral student that has graduated from the Department of Economics has obtained a position working as a professional economist. Many have gone on to careers in academic institutions. Others have pursued careers in public policy or at premier liberal arts colleges. What explains our success in placement? First, our students are well trained. Michigan students leave the program with expertise in economics as it is practiced in the top research and teaching institutions in the world. Second, we run a comprehensive placement service that prepares students for interviews, seminars, and campus visits. Third, preparation for the job market is a multi-year process that begins the day students enter our program.

Ann Arbor is a great place to live (Don’t believe us? Check out the variety of rankings of our city! ), and the department is a great place to work. Faculty and graduate students are actively present in Lorch Hall. The department runs more weekly departmental seminars and student brown bags than it is possible to attend. The Graduate Economic Society is an active student organization that participates in setting policies for the graduate program and sponsors various activities designed to broaden the outlook and perspective of students as prospective Ph.D. economists.

The University of Michigan is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and student body that reflect a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, perspectives and experiences. We believe that a wealth of knowledge comes from our students’ backgrounds, their educational history, their gender, their prior work/research experience and a variety of experiences. Graduates of the doctoral program have come from countries across the globe and from all regions of the United States.

Want to join us?

Admission is limited to students whose record shows a capacity for advanced work in the field of economics. An economics major is not a prerequisite, but some previous training in economics is essential. Training in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and probability and statistics is also essential. Grades received in these courses are important factors in the admission decision. When appraising an applicant's scholarly promise, the faculty considers the academic record as well as letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, the results of the Graduate Record Examination and other experience.

Please see further information on our   Application Process   and   FAQs  on how to best prepare an application to the University of Michigan’s Economics PhD program!

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Department of Economics

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PhD Program Overview

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The PhD Program

A Letter from the Director of Graduate Studies test

Thank you for your interest in our PhD program.  (Please note: UVa does not offer a terminal M.A. degree in economics. The AEA provides a  list of U.S. programs in economics for those seeking a master's degree.)

The Economics Department is one of over 30 programs within the  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . The Ph.D. program in Economics provides training for careers in both teaching and research by emphasizing theory, quantitative methods, and early involvement in research.

The success of the program is reflected in our graduates'  job placements , which include highly ranked universities, such as Chicago, Columbia, UCLA, Cornell, Penn State, as well as excellent undergraduate institutions, such as Carleton and Brandeis. In a recent survey, UVA ranked fourteenth among graduate programs in academic placement. Many students also find summer or permanent employment in the nearby Washington area, e.g., at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Congressional Budget Office.

About twenty students enter our program each year. At any given time there are approximately 80-90 students in residence. Classes are small and students are able to work closely with faculty. Graduate students are provided with two computer labs, both equipped with up-to-date PCs and a wide selection of software.

In addition to taking the core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, doctoral students choose two fields of specialization from: Industrial Organization, International Economics, Macroeconomics, Public Economics, Econometrics, Theory, Development, and Labor. Virtually all graded courses can be completed by the end of the second year, so that students can begin dissertation research at an early stage (in the summer after the second year).

During the third and fourth years, students are active in one or more of the regularly scheduled workshops: Theory, Applied Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Public Economics, Econometrics, Development, and International Economics.

Applications and all credentials must be submitted through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences'  online application . The non-refundable application fee must be paid online via credit card. If you are eligible for an application fee waiver, please contact the Graduate School when you are ready to apply. The School's Dean of Admissions may waive the fee to members of certain  organizations . However, you should contact me directly if you think that your application may arrive later than the January 15th deadline.

All students who are admitted are offered the same aid package. Financial need will not affect your chances for admission.

Financial assistance to students admitted for Fall 2020 includes $30,000 per year ($24,000 during the academic year, and $6,000 during the summer), along with full tuition remission, and health insurance coverage. The offer is guaranteed for 5 years, conditional on maintaining good standing in the program. Full details are available in the  Financial Aid  section of our admission instructions.

In addition, the Graduate School administers a competitive fellowship program to support a sixth year of study for doctoral students who are poised to complete distinguished dissertations and enter the job market. In 2016-17, twenty-five such fellowships will be offered, and the Graduate School plans to increase this number significantly in the coming years.

Your application and all supporting documents should reach the Graduate Admissions Office by January 15. (We admit students only for the fall semester.) Please note that you will need to present scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), but the advanced test in economics is not required. Complete details on our admission requirements are provided in the  Admission  section of this web site. If your question is not answered in the following pages, please e-mail Kristina Johnson , the Graduate Program Coordinator.

James Harrigan , Director of Graduate Studies

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Fees and funding

Scholarships, studentships, loans and tuition fees.

Each year LSE offers generous scholarships to its graduate students. There are also funding opportunities from external organisations, research councils and governments around the world.

Tuition fees

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme. If you receive an offer, you will be informed of the relevant tuition fee amount in your offer letter.

Tuition fee amounts

Tuition fee amounts are listed on the individual programme pages. The table of fees  shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

In some cases the amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a Home or Overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status.

LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reductions

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of 10 per cent of the fee. Some programmes, such as executive programmes, are excluded from this fee reduction.

Further information

Alumni discount Fees and Student Finance LSE Student Fees Policy

Living costs

We broadly estimate that you should allow about £1,300-£1,400 per month for all living expenses, including accommodation, travel, food, laundry, study costs, and other personal expenses. This will vary depending on your lifestyle and requirements, so it's important you do your own research.

Please note that if you will be applying for a visa, you will have to provide evidence of sufficient funds, and these amounts may vary.

More details on living costs and making a budget .

Funding from LSE for taught master's and diploma programmes

• Graduate Support Scheme  
• LSE Master's Awards 
• Donor-funded awards for Home fee status students
• Programme-related funding  
• Anniversary Scholarships  
• LSE Access to Education Graduate Scholarship

Country based awards

The School makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world:

• Country-based awards for taught master's students: A - C
• Country-based awards for taught master's students: D - K
• Country-based awards for taught master's students: L - Q
• Country-based awards for taught master's students: R - Z

How to apply

See  Applying for an LSE scholarship

Funding from LSE for research programmes

For 2024 entry, LSE will be offering studentships to new PhD students in the form of LSE PhD Studentships, LSE ESRC Studentships and LAHP AHRC Studentships.

These awards are open to high calibre students of all nationalities studying across all research areas at the School.

LSE PhD Studentships

LSE PhD Studentships are tenable for four years and cover full fees and an annual stipend. They are available for UK, EU and international students undertaking research in any LSE discipline, with annual renewal subject to satisfactory academic performance.

These awards will be made solely on the basis of outstanding academic merit and research potential. This relates both to your past academic record and to an assessment of your likely aptitude to complete a PhD in your chosen topic in the time allocated.

ESRC funding

LSE has an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) and has  ESRC studentships  in a number of programmes across 19 departments. These studentships are available for students of all nationalities.

Studentships are tenable for three or four years, depending on the programme of study. They cover full fees (for international students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend.

Individual programme entries detail which programme are eligible for ESRC funding.

AHRC funding

LSE is part of  LAHP (London Arts and Humanities Partnership) , which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Students of all nationalities can apply for one of these studentships.

Studentships are tenable for three years and they cover full fees (for international students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend. LSE will also cover full fees and stipend for an additional fourth year.

LSE Departments that typically host AHRC studentships are International History, Media and Communications, Philosophy and Law, but students from other disciplines (for example, Anthropology, Gender Studies and International Development), can also apply if their research falls within the remit of AHRC, as explained  here .

Department-specific funding

Check the  programme-related funding page  for PhD funding opportunities.

Except for LAHP studentships (see below), academic departments nominate students for the funding opportunity they may be eligible for. There is no separate application for LSE, ESRC and department-specific studentships. To be considered for this funding, you must submit your complete application for admission to LSE by a specific date. This date differs by academic department.

deadline for being considered for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding for 2024 entry if you apply to a programme in the Department of Law: 1 December 2023

deadline for being considered for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding for 2024 entry if you apply to a programme in the Department of Economics: 14 December 2023

deadline for being considered for ESRC funding for 2024 entry: 15 January 2024

deadline for being considered for LSE PhD Studentships for 2024 entry: this can either be 15 January 2024 and/or 25 April 2024 depending on the programme you are applying to. Details can be found on the individual programme page.

To be considered for a LAHP studentship for 2024 entry, students need to have applied for their chosen programme of studies. They will also need to submit a separate funding application to LAHP, deadline to be confirmed . Details of the application process can be found here

External funding opportunities

Uk government loans.

Postgraduate master's loan

A postgraduate master's loan  from the UK government is available for eligible students. Postgraduate doctoral loan 

  A  postgraduate doctoral loan  from the UK government is available for eligible students.

External Private Loans

LSE has agreements with three loan providers who offer various packages dependent on your nationality, chosen programme of study, financial status and future earnings. The Lenders are Lendwise, Future Finance and Prodigy.

More information can be found here

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How to apply The application process, UCAS and when to apply

Undergraduate fees and funding Details on available scholarships, bursaries, loans and tuition fees

Contact us Get in touch with the Financial Support Office

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• Durham University
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PhD in Economics

The Economics PhD program at Durham offers a rigorous research training program and provides you with the opportunity to become an expert in your chosen field in economics.

Our experts in the Economics Department work on exceptionally diverse areas of economics, and publish in top journals such as The Review of Economic Studies , Economic Journal , Journal of Economic Theory or Science . We, therefore, offer you the opportunity to pursue your PhD research on various economics topics, including (but not limited to) microeconomics, econometrics, experimental economics or climate and environmental economics.

You will spend three years of supervised research (full-time), followed by one additional writing-up year, if needed. You will receive close guidance and mentorship from a team of supervisors who are experts in their field. You will be an integral part of the Department’s research activities, including attending our weekly departmental seminars that attract internationally renowned speakers. We also encourage and support you to present your PhD research at national and international conferences, and submit for journal publications.

Funding opportunities

We offer a range of scholarships for our PhD students. Please regularly check this website as details of new scholarship opportunities will be frequently updated throughout the academic year.

Apply for a fully funded PhD in Economics, Durham University

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) NINE DTP studentships .

The ESRC offers a range of studentships available for a 3-year PhD, or a Masters by Research and PhD (1+3 year), or a 3.5-year PhD plus research training.

Durham-Chinese Scholarships Council (CSC) studentships .

The scholarships are open to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD at Durham. There are 20 awards available in all disciplines.

Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF)

The Economics Department at Durham University Business School is very pleased to offer a Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF) for those who qualify as home fee paying students. We encourage applications from PhD candidates aspiring an academic career. 

The purpose of the DDTF is to support the successful Fellow in producing a high-quality PhD thesis while at the same time acquiring teaching skills that will enhance the Fellow’s career progression. For more information, please contact our PhD Coordinator at [email protected]  

For further enquiries, please contact us via email at [email protected] . 

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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ECONOMICS

​​​​​​   Philosophy of the Programme

The programme will prepare learners already grounded in the social sciences to deal creatively and effectively with developmental problems. This programme is expected to respond to these challenges in varied ways. First, leveraging its research output to inform development policy and other conversations at the local, regional and global arenas. Secondly, preparing PhD students who have the requisite knowledge, skills and the attitude to advance development agenda in different sectors and levels of the society. The programme with its diversity in background and experience prepares graduates with the cutting edge theoretical and methodological approaches besides rich network with various epistemic communities across the globe. It seeks to empower learners to address the challenges of development by promoting dialogue among research findings, societal needs, and what is being taught. This curriculum takes into account the emerging issues that have implications for development.

Rationale for the Programme

Apart from building on the already existing Masters of Development Programme, introduction of the taught PhD programme in Development studies has been informed by the following factors. A good number of applicants going by previous experiences do not have back ground neither in development studies nor social sciences hence the need for conceptual/theoretical and methodological grounding. It is also envisaged that a taught programme will enable students who have taken some time out from active academic work since their completion of masters programme opportunity to reconnect with the theoretical and conceptual issues besides advancing them in the light of emerging issues.

Overall, the PhD programme in development studies is expected to achieve the following objectives

• Equip students with conceptual, theoretical and analytical grounding in development studies
• Equip students with advanced and cutting edge methodologies in development research.
• Impart students with skills to communicate development knowledge/ research findings to varied audiences.

The main objectives of the programme are to:

• Apply modern economic theory, using analytical and evaluative skills, to understand and solve a variety of economic problems and to make policy evaluations, recommendations, and decisions.
• Possess the analytical, mathematical, and econometric skills needed to engage in and conduct original research. This will include the ability to use modern, extensive, economic datasets. In doing so, students will be able to understand and replicate contemporary findings within economics research.
• Produce and publish original economic research; this includes their dissertations as well as the production of research papers appropriate for peer-reviewed academic journals and submission to economic research conferences.
• Communicate and disseminate knowledge of economics effectively in careers within and outside academia
• Schedule of Intakes

Department of Economics and Development Studies, University of Nairobi has ONE intake in a year.

• September Intake (Every Year)

For any assistance and clarification please contact any of the following:

Academic Revenue Office

Tel:+254 20 491 3138

(For all courses) 020 491 0000

Email:[email protected]

More information may also be obtained from the Admissions Office, Main Campus, Administration Block, 1 st floor, room 116, Room A112 or email: [email protected]

6.9 Mode of Delivery

The programme shall adopt blended learning through the use of  face-to-face and online modes. The face-to-face learning will take place within the classroom setting at the Main Campus. Currently, learning is through  online delivery. The online classes are conducted over video conferencing platforms such as Mtihani, Zoom and Google Meet, among others.

The classes are conducted in the evening, Monday to Friday. Time 5.30pm – 8.30pm. 

Students who successfully finish the coursework shall, in the second half of the second year, select their dissertation topics and prepare their thesis proposals, which have to be presented in a proposal seminar in the Department. On approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the Board of Postgraduate Studies for thesis registration.

During the third year, students will be involved with thesis research, fieldwork, and data gathering and analysis under the guidance of their supervisors.  This process will end with a post-fieldwork seminar, where students will present preliminary analyses of their research.  The fourth and final year will be devoted to final thesis write-up and defense.  There will be two distinct parts to this period.  The draft thesis will be prepared during the first half of the year and presented at a thesis seminar in the department.  The draft thesis will be finalized during the second half of the year and defended in accordance with established procedures.

In the first year of study students will take a total of 6 (six) compulsory course units in the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods, two from each area. In each of the two semesters of the first year, candidates shall be required to take THREE (3) compulsory courses.

Semester 1:

• CEC8101 – Microeconomics I
• CEC8103 – Macroeconomics I
• CEC8105 – Quantitative Methods I

Semester 2:

• CEC8102 – Microeconomics II
• CEC8104 – Macroeconomics II
• CEC8106 – Quantitative Methods II

In the first half of the second year, students will continue with further coursework by taking FOUR (4) elective course units selected from the list of electives on offer.  Students shall take the course units from two elective fields only, e.g. Agricultural Economics and Monetary Economics.  In the second half of the second year, students would then prepare for and take comprehensive examinations.

Semester 3:

• XEA826 – Labour Economics I
• XEA827 – Labour Economics II
• XEA846 – Public Sector Economics I
• XEA847 – Public Sector Economics II
• XEA851 – International Economics I
• XEA852 – International Economics II
• XEA856 – Development Economics I
• XEA857 – Development Economics II
• XEA861 – Econometrics I

Comprehensive Examination

• XET901 – Comprehensive Examination in Microeconomics
• XET902 – Comprehensive Examination in Macroeconomics
• XEA905 – Comprehensive Examination in Labour Economics
• XEA909 – Comprehensive Examination in Public Sector Economics
• XEA910 – Comprehensive Examination in International Economics
• XEA911 – Comprehensive Examination in Development Economics
• XEA912 – Comprehensive Examination in Econometrics

During the third year, students will be involved with thesis research, fieldwork, and data gathering and analysis under the guidance of their supervisors.  This process will end with a post-fieldwork seminar, where students will present preliminary analyses of their research.  The fourth and final year will be devoted to final thesis write-up and defense.  There will be two distinct parts to this period.  The draft thesis will be prepared during the first half of the year and presented at a thesis seminar in the Department.  The draft thesis will be finalized during the second half of the year and defended in accordance with established procedures.

Written Examinations - Core and Electives

• All candidates shall be required to take and pass examinations in the core courses before proceeding to the second year.
• All candidates shall be required to take and pass examinations in the four electives during the second year of study.
• Continuous assessment shall consist of timed tests, assignments, class presentations and seminar papers.
• Each course shall be examined through a three hour written examination at the end of the semester during which the course was offered.
• The final examination shall account for sixty percent (60%) of the total marks in each course while the continuous assessment shall account for the remaining 40 per cent.
• The pass mark shall be fifty percent (50%).
• The pass mark for the supplementary examinations shall be fifty percent (50%), which is also the maximum attainable mark.
• A candidate who fails not more than 50% of the units in any academic year will be allowed to sit for supplementary examinations in the failed units when next offered.
• A candidate who fails more than 50% of the units in any one academic year shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
• A candidate who fails in two consecutive supplementary examinations of any one unit shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.

Written Examinations - Comprehensives

• All candidates who have fulfilled 6.1 and 6.2 above shall prepare and sit for comprehensive examinations in three subject areas, which shall include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and another subject area of their choice.
• The Comprehensive Examinations shall be graded out of one hundred percent (100%).
• The pass mark for each Comprehensive Examination shall be fifty percent (50%)
• A candidate who fails a Comprehensive Examination in any one unit shall take a supplementary examination the next time offered.
• A candidate who fails more than 2 Comprehensive Examinations shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
• A candidate who fails in two consecutive supplementary comprehensive examinations in a particular subject area shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
• A candidate who successfully finishes the coursework and the Comprehensive Examinations shall proceed to prepare and present a thesis proposal.
• Candidates will be allocated at least two supervisors, one of whom shall be a member of the academic staff in the School.
• Each supervisor shall be required to compile and submit at least one progress report of the candidate’s work each semester.  The report shall be submitted to the Director, School of Economics with a copy to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies for appropriate action.
• Candidates shall be required to present one seminar paper each semester.
• The candidate shall write and submit for examination a Thesis compiled from the research work carried out under the direction of not less than two supervisors.
• The format of the Thesis shall be as prescribed in the common regulations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all Faculties of the University.
• The thesis is equivalent to 12 core units or 2 academic years of coursework.

The common regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all the faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply.

The following shall be eligible for admission:

• Holders of a Master's degree in economics from the University of Nairobi.
• Holders of a Master's degree in economics from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate as of comparable academic status.
• Holders of qualifications deemed by the Senate of the University of Nairobi to be equivalent to (a) and (b) above 

Application Information

Step 1: Visit the application website http://application.uonbi.ac.ke

Step 2: Registration and creation of User Account - To register, you need an email address and phone number that will be validated during registration. Every applicant must create their own personal user account .

Step 3: Profile Management - Key-in your personal details and upload scanned copies of academic certificates and a passport size photograph. Only when your profile is complete can you apply for the programme you wish to undertake.

Step 4: Programme Selection - Select and apply for the course you are interested in. You will be issued with a REFERENCE NUMBER and directed to pay the prescribed application fee through the following Available Payment options:

• Credit/Debit Card
• M-Pesa Pay Bill
• Direct Cash Deposit at any Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch

Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation of the payment on the email address and phone number registered in step 2.

Step 5: Application Tracking - Track the status of your application online through the system.  Alerts will be sent to your registered email address and phone number

Attachment Opportunities

Students may apply for attachment opportunities during the long holidays (May-August) every year. They get the opportunities to expand their economic knowledge and gain professional experience. There are many different types of economics attachments based on various types of work. The key areas: Mathematics and statistics; Research; Communication; Data analysis; Technology; and Business. The attachments opportunities are available in private and public sectors of the economy.

Economics Career paths

Career Prospects                                                                   Prospective Employers

1)      Professional Economists                                                         Private Sector

2)      Planning Officers                                                                    Public Sector

3)      Economic Attachee                                                                 Parastatals

4)      Statisticians/Econometrician                                                   NGOs

5)      Multilateral/bilateral Trade Negotiators                                 International Institutions

Research Institutions

During their study period, Development Studies students are actively engaged as research assistants in research projects. This gives them a chance to build their development research skills.  Also, as the projects are implemented collaboratively with industry partners, students get opportunities to build contacts with potential future employers.

Our graduates go on to work in the private sector, civil society organisations and public sectors in Kenya and beyond. They are working to address emerging issues that have implications for development in various capacities including:

1.      Monitoring & Evaluation Experts

2.      Development Analysts

3.      Project Managers

4.      Business Development Experts

5.      Community Development Experts

6.      Development Researchers/Consultants

7.      Academic Professions

8.      Programme Officers in Development Projects.

Further information be obtained from;

Department of Economics and Development Studies

            University of Nairobi            

Tel. 0204913206/3238

Email: [email protected]

Website: economics.uonbi.ac.ke

© University of Nairobi 2024.  All rights Reserved.

Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

• Degree Programs

6.0. Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

The doctoral program in Agricultural and Applied Economics is designed to develop a broad based competence in economic theory and in techniques of quantitative analysis. Dissertation research of students in our department usually addresses applied problems using contemporary economic theory and analytical methods. Students completing our program have demonstrated a high degree of success in academics, business, and government.

Two options are offered for the Doctor of Philosophy in the Agricultural and Applied Economics program. The first option does not require a minor. The second option includes a minor in Family Financial Planning—a joint Ph.D. program between the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the College of Human Sciences. Completion of the Doctoral program in Agricultural and Applied Economics with a minor in Family Financial Planning qualifies graduates to take an exam administered by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards to become Certified Financial Planners.

6.1. Prerequisites

Most students will have completed the requirements for an M.S. degree or its equivalent before admission to the doctoral program. If the Master's degree does not meet the prerequisite requirements for entering our Master of Science program (see Section 5.1) then those requirements must be met in order to enter the Ph.D. program. Some exceptional students will be offered the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. directly from a Bachelor's program. In this case, see the Graduate Coordinator for course and program requirements.

Background in algebra, partial and total differentiation, integration and basic matrix or linear algebra operations are very useful to perform well in coursework and research work.

6.2. Credit Hour Requirements

The doctoral program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree and at least 12 credit hours of dissertation research (AAEC 8000).

6.3. Transfer of Credit

Transfer of graduate credit from other academic institutions may be allowed. The request for transfer must be initiated by the student and supported by the student's committee chair. Transfer decisions are made by the department Graduate Coordinator and must be approved by the Graduate School . Information required in support of transfer requests includes academic transcripts and course catalogue descriptions of each course proposed for transfer. Course syllabi may also be requested to support transfer decisions.

6.4. Substitution for Core Courses

Substitutions for core courses are allowed only under unusual circumstances. Requests for substitutions for core courses must be initiated by the student and his or her committee chair, to the department Graduate Coordinator and must be approved by the Graduate School . Final decisions on substitutions for core courses taught outside our department are made by the department Graduate Coordinator . Decisions on core courses taught in the department are made by the current instructor of the core course being replaced.

6.5. Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

The purpose of the Ph.D. comprehensive examination is to test the student's ability to integrate knowledge from various subject matter areas and apply appropriate concepts and tools to issues and problems relevant to the discipline. The comprehensive exam is administered by a departmental committee twice each year (usually in May and August) and is normally taken at the end of the first full year of coursework. The exam has two parts which are taken separately. Part 1 of the exam focuses econometric methods and Part 2 covers microeconomic theory. Students have two opportunities to pass both parts of the exam. If both parts of the exam are passed on the first attempt then the student has successfully completed this degree requirement. If one or both parts of the exam are failed on the first attempt (usually in May), the student must retake the failed part(s) at the next offering (in the following August). A second failure of either part of the comprehensive exam will result in dismissal from the student's Ph.D. program.

6.6. Qualifying Examination and Admission to Candidacy

Graduate school rules require that all doctoral students successfully complete a Qualifying Examination for admission to candidacy for the doctor's degree. In the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics the Dissertation Proposal Defense serves as the Qualifying Exam. Students are allowed two attempts to satisfactorily complete this examination. Failure to satisfactorily complete the examination on a second attempt will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program. Further information on the Dissertation Proposal and Proposal Defense is provided in Section 9.0 of this Handbook.

6.7. Final Examination

All doctoral candidates are required to pass a public final oral examination which is usually over the general field of the dissertation. Candidates should consult the Graduate School for details regarding scheduling of the final examination. After the final examination, the professor conducting comprehensive exams will send a written notification of the results to the Graduate Secretary for the student's graduate file.

Doctoral candidates, with their major advisor, are required to find their own Dean's Representative for the Graduate School for their defense, preferably someone outside of the department.

Public announcement of exams will be done through the department Graduate Secretary. Exams must be announced at least four weeks prior to the exam date, without exception.

6.9. Degree Program Course Requirements

Listed below are the course requirements for the Ph.D. program options. Courses listed specifically by number are core courses. Note that the option II course requirements have been revised in consultation with the Department of Personal Financial Planning.

Ph.D in Agricultural and Applied Economics - No Minor Required (option1) 1

Course number / course title / credit hours.

• AAEC 5303 / Advanced Production Economics / 3
• AAEC 5307 / Applied Econometrics I / 3
• AAEC 6316 / Advanced International Trade and Policy / 3
• AAEC 5321 / Research Methodology in Economics/ 3
• AAEC 6302 / Food, Ag., and Nat. Resource Policy Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6305 / Economic Optimization / 3
• AAEC 6308 / Advanced Natural Resource Economics / 3
• AAEC 6310 / Demand and Price Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6311 / Applied Econometrics II / 3
• AAEC 6301 / Microeconomic Theory II / 3
• AAEC 6315 / Applied Microeconomics I / 3
• ECO 5311 / Macroeconomic Theory and Policy / 3
• Committee Approved Field Courses / / 24
• AAEC 8000 / Doctor's Dissertation / 12

Total Credit Hours 72

Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics - Minor in Family Financial Planning (option 2) 1,2

• AAEC 8000 / Doctor's Dissertation / 21
• PFP 5371 / Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning / 3
• PFP 5372 / Asset Management II / 3
• PFP 5373 / Personal Financial Planning Cpstn. / 3
• PFP 5394 / Retirement Planning / 3
• PFP 5497 / Risk Management and Insurance Planning / 4
• PFP 5398 / Estate Planning / 3
• PFP 5362 / Asset Management I / 3
• PFP 5377 / Client Communication and Counseling / 3
• ACCT 5311 / Individual Study in Accounting / 3

total credit hours 85

1 Numbered courses are core courses. 2 Draft revisions pending review and approval of AAEC faculty.

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MIT’s Master of Applied Science in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy program adds a public policy track

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MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and Department of Economics have announced an expansion of their jointly administered Master of Applied Science in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP) program . This expansion adds a new public policy track to complement the existing international development track, opening up new avenues for student learning and research. 

Designed to tackle poverty alleviation and other pressing policy challenges in the United States and other high-income countries, the curriculum of the new track spans a diverse set of issues, from domestic concerns like minimum wage and consumer welfare to global matters including trade, climate change, and immigration. Applications for the public policy track will open this fall, with the inaugural cohort set to arrive on MIT’s campus in spring 2026.

The DEDP program, led by MIT professors and Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, along with professors Sara Fisher Ellison and Benjamin Olken, was established with the mission of equipping diverse cohorts of talented professionals with the knowledge and skills to tackle poverty using evidence-based approaches. The new master’s degree track will support this mission while also underscoring the program’s commitment to addressing a broad array of critical challenges in the fight against poverty worldwide.

"The DEDP program has proven successful on many dimensions, and we are enthusiastic about leveraging its successes to address a broader set of social challenges,” says Ellison, a faculty lead for the program. “The public policy track will enable us to apply evidence-based methodology to poverty alleviation and other related issues in the context of high-income countries, as well. Given increasing levels of wealth and income inequality in these countries, we feel that the timing is opportune and the need is great."

The DEDP program distinguishes itself with an innovative admissions model that prioritizes demonstrated ability and motivation over traditional credentials, such as standardized tests and recommendation letters. To be eligible to apply to the master’s program, candidates must have earned a DEDP MicroMasters credential by passing five of the DEDP online courses. The courses are completely free to audit. Those who wish to earn a course certificate can pay a fee, which varies by the learner’s ability to pay, to take the proctored exam. While applications are reviewed holistically, performance in these classes is the primary factor in admissions decisions.

This approach democratizes access to higher education, enabling students from typically underrepresented backgrounds to demonstrate their potential for success. Notably, the program has welcomed many students from nontraditional backgrounds, such as a student who enrolled directly from high school (and who is now a second-year PhD student in economics at MIT), reflecting the ambition of its faculty directors to make higher education more accessible.

Sofia Martinez, a graduate of the class of 2023 and now co-founder of Learning Alliance , says, "Without the MicroMasters paving the way, applying to MIT or any similar institution would have been unthinkable for us. Initially, my aim in taking the online courses wasn't to pursue the residential program; it was only after witnessing my own progress that I realized the possibility wasn't so distant after all. This sentiment resonates with many in our cohort, which is truly humbling.”

Since its launch in 2020, the DEDP master’s program has conferred degrees to 87 students from 44 countries, showcasing its global reach and the success of its admissions model. Upon arriving on campus, students embark on an accelerated master's program. They complete a full course load in the spring, followed by a capstone project in the summer, applying the theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained through the program at research and policy organizations.

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