Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

Our PhD students typically spend an average of five years in our program. Comprehensives in Microeconomics, Econometrics and a field (Industrial Organization, Environmental Economics or Experimental & Behavioral) are typically completed by the start of the student’s third summer.  Students are required to complete 40 course credits and 18 dissertation credits along with their Dissertation.

Required Courses include a 1-credit first year seminar (Res-Econ 791Y), two courses in Microeconomic Theory (Res-Econ 711, Res-Econ 712), four courses in Econometrics and Quantitative Methods (Econ 751, Res-Econ 701, 702, 703), two courses in a Major Field (Natural Resources and Environmental Economics Res-Econ 720 and 721; Industrial Organization (Res-Econ 732 and 733); Experimental Economics (Res-Econ 740 and 741), and 15 credits of applied econometrics, minor fields, and electives. 6 out of the 15 credits must be fulfilled by completing two field courses in the department that are not from one's major. All other electives as well as Independent Study can be used to fulfill the remaining 9 credits. In addition, the Independent Study credit is capped at 3 credits per semester per instructor. Exceptions must be approved by the student’s advisor and the GPD. Course descriptions can be found here.