applied economics phd programs

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Applied Economics

Wharton’s highly selective phd program in applied economics offers students many resources not available at other institutions, such as 1:1 faculty to student ratio, five years of funding, and minimal teaching requirements..

Combining the faculties of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics & Public Policy, Wharton’s Applied Economics program leverages the breadth and depth of its faculty to prepare students for careers doing frontier theoretical and empirical research. Students can focus on a variety of research areas, including Behavioral Economics, Development and International Economics, Energy and Environmental Economics, Health Economics, Industrial Organization and Regulation, Labor Economics, Law and Economics, Market Design, Public Economics, Risk and Insurance, Urban Economics and Real Estate. You can find the list of Applied Economics Faculty here.  Students may also develop an inter-disciplinary focus by taking courses and working with faculty in some of the other departments at Wharton such as Finance, Health Care Management, Management, and Marketing.

For more information on courses, please visit the University Graduate Catalog .

Sample Schedule

The course of study for the Ph.D. in Applied Economics requires the completion of 15 graduate course units. The common core consists of 3 theory courses and 3 statistics/econometrics courses. Students are also expected to master two field areas by passing two courses in each (total of 4 courses units). The remaining course units necessary to achieve 15 are split between the mandatory graduate student research seminars and other electives.

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

Students will apply for admission to the Wharton Program in Applied Economics, and may, if they wish, indicate a preferred field of study in their application. All else equal, the admissions committee may consider field choice in determining admission. Fellowship support will be in accordance with usual Wharton and University guidelines.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

Students will be required to master core materials in economic theory covering the topics of household decision-making, production theory, theory of markets and market failure, game theory, decision-making under uncertainty, and resource allocation in dynamic economies. The following courses will satisfy the three-course economic theory requirement:

Microeconomic Theory I: ECON 7010 Microeconomic Theory II: ECON 7110 Macroeconomic Theory: ECON 7200 or 7210 or FNCE 9240

Students will be required to master core materials in applied econometrics covering the topics of statistical inference, linear regression analysis, panel regression analysis, and estimation of models using discrete dependent variables. The following courses will satisfy the three-course econometric/statistics requirement:

Econometrics: ECON 7300, FNCE 9260, ECON 8310 or ECON 7310, BEPP 9110 and BEPP 9310

FIELD REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the core theory and econometrics materials, students will be required to master two applied fields by passing two courses in each field. Students will be free to offer their own field as a substitute with approval of the graduate group chair and (when relevant) an appropriate advisor from another Wharton graduate group.

• Development Economics BEPP 9410: Development Economics • Industrial Economics and Business Regulation: BEPP 9870: Industrial Organization and Competition Policy HCMG 9020: Special Topics of Health Services Research: Industrial Organization of Health Care ECON 8450: Empirical Methods in Industrial Organization • Market Design BEPP 9710: Market Design • Public Economics and Political Economy: BEPP 9330: Public Economics: Social Insurance & Government Expenditures HCMG 9030: Public Policy ECON 8410: Public Economics I ECON 8411: Public Economics II • Urban Economics and Real Estate: REAL 9450: Urban and Real Estate Economics REAL 9460: Advanced Topics in Urban Economics REAL 9470: Advanced Real Estate and Urban Economics • Behavioral Economics: BEPP 9040: Experimental Economics: Methods and Applications OIDD 9000: Foundation of Decision Processes OIDD 9040: Experimental Economics

In addition, all students must take elective courses to achieve the necessary 15 Course Credits to be eligible for Dissertation Status.

During the second and third year of the program students will be required to attend and actively participate in the graduate student research seminar. Students will also be responsible for presenting a paper of original research to the seminar before entering dissertation status. All students will also be required to attend the faculty Applied Economics Workshop during the 2nd and 3rd years.

BEPP 9000: Research Seminar BEPP 9620: Applied Economics Seminar

QUALIFYING EXAM

At the end of first year (usually in last week of May or first week of June), students are expected to take and pass the qualifying exam for Microeconomic Theory and the qualifying exam for Econometrics. These exams are written and graded by the Wharton Applied Economics PhD Committee. If a student fails in one qualifying exam, another opportunity to take that exam will be given at the end of the second year.

Students can also request a waiver for one or both exams if they perform well in the courses associated with each exam. A satisfactory performance for Microeconomic Theory, for example, corresponds to having at least a B- or better in each micro course, and an average of B or better.

FACULTY ADVISORS

Students are required to select or are assigned two faculty advisors in the beginning of the second year in the program. Because the student will not have had all of the major field courses at that time, it is possible that a student will later decide to change advisors; such an eventuality will be considered a normal outcome. In addition, since students will not have had all of the major field course work by June of their first year, they should “read ahead” in their chosen fields to begin identifying a research topic for the Second Year Paper. Students are expected to initiate meetings with faculty members to discuss possible research topics, and these meetings should begin as early as possible after the student enters the program and are part of the process of getting to know the faculty and learning about the field.

CANDIDACY PAPER

The Program in Applied Economics provides students with several opportunities to conduct research. All students are required to write a candidacy paper in their second year to be submitted in the summer of the second year in the program. This paper should demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct PhD quality research. This is often used as the Master’s Thesis submission- and, as the title implies, it is one of the requirements for admission to Doctoral candidacy.

The deadline for submission of the Candidacy Paper is strictly enforced, and failure to complete and submit the paper by the deadline (July 15 of the end of the student’s second year in the program) is grounds for dismissal from the program. The paper must be submitted to the faculty members who are the student’s principal advisors for the project, as well as to the Doctoral Coordinator. A copy of the candidacy paper, together with letters from two faculty members noting approval of it, must be in each student’s file in the Program office prior to the start of the student’s fifth term (typically the start of the third year). Failure to fulfill this requirement may result in the student being dropped from the program.

The main objective of the candidacy paper is to demonstrate the student’s ability to do original research. Often the Candidacy Paper is submitted for publication, and it can also serve as the foundation for PhD research, possibly as a dissertation essay. The Candidacy Paper must be solely authored by the student, not co-authored with the faculty advisor.

Milestones on the road to the candidacy paper are as follows:

September of 2nd year in the program Fall semester, 2nd year Spring semester, 2nd year Faculty advisors selected Candidacy Paper proposal Work on Candidacy paper Submit final version of Candidacy Paper

ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY Before admission to candidacy, the student is required to:

• Complete all required coursework, including all core courses, with at least a B + or better in each course and with an average GPA of B+ or better. (For some courses, a passing grade on a qualifying exam can substitute for a grade below B.)
• Pass both qualifying exams or request exam waivers.
• Submit a satisfactory candidacy paper

THE PHD DISSERTATION The best ways to find a dissertation topic is to talk to the program faculty and read the literature. Discussions with faculty can range from “cold calls,” where the student asks the faculty member for topic suggestions, to more proactive visits where the student discusses potential topic ideas that have come up in course work or research seminars. Students should also take a close look at recent dissertations written by students in their major field as well as dissertations written by students from other Wharton departments.

There are two primary models for the organization of dissertations. The “single study” traditional dissertation, and the essay approach. In the latter approach, two or three essays are generally found acceptable by the student’s dissertation committee, depending on length and quality. Dissertation essays are more prevalent for a number of reasons, including most importantly, (a) the Candidacy Paper may be permitted to constitute a substantial part of one essay, (b) an essay can be used as an interview paper (see discussion below), and (c) if properly structured, an essay can often be converted into a paper to be submitted to a journal. Whether two or three essays are appropriate depends on the length and complexity of the research undertaken and is determined by the student’s dissertation committee.

Dissertation essays may be co-authored, although the extent to which this is appropriate will depend on each student’s topic, doctoral committee, and faculty advisor. A circumstance where a co -authored essay might be appropriate could arise from a joint research project with a faculty member. However, the student’s dissertation must include at least one essay that is solely authored by the student. The dissertation process must begin with the selection of a principal advisor or co-advisors. Each student is responsible for this selection, and then the student works with the advisor(s) to select the dissertation topic and begin exploratory research. The student and advisor then work together to select committee members. Committee members can be approached to join the committee by either the student or the principal advisor(s). The student should work with the advisor(s) to arrange a mutually agreeable procedure. The student should review the Wharton Doctoral Programs Policies and Procedures, to be sure that the committee structure satisfies the overall requirements of the Wharton Doctoral Program.

Important: the PhD Dissertation proposal must be defended before the end of the fourth year in the program. Failure to defend can result in dismissal from the program.

GOING ON THE JOB MARKET The ultimate objective of the Wharton Doctoral Program is to prepare our students for a teaching and research career, ideally at a college or university. Because the placement process for academic jobs is lengthy, students should become familiar with it well in advance of the “job market year.” The program provides full support for students going on the job market, and a series of meetings and timelines are provided to the students during the fourth and fifth years in the program.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION The program will be administered by the graduate group in Applied Economics. Primary appointments in the Departments of Business Economics and Public Policy and Real Estate will be automatic members of the graduate group and comprise the initial membership of the graduate group. The graduate group can extend membership to other Wharton and University faculty as they consider appropriate. The graduate group will decide on its preferred administrative structure. Currently, the chairs of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics and Public Policy are responsible for jointly appointing a PhD Coordinator that will serve a two-year term, with the option to renew it for another two years. The PhD Coordinator is also the representative for the group to the Doctoral Executive Committee.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Students are expected to spend full-time on their coursework and research during the first two years of the program. In subsequent years, students are expected to work with faculty, preferably as research assistants or co-authors, thereby gaining the experience required to be successful researchers. Students are also required to TA a core course (any alternatives will need to be approved by the PhD Coordinator) each in their 3rd year and 4th year of the program as a funding requirement. Other activities that further the student’s research careers are encouraged, subject to the approval of the doctoral coordinator (this includes teaching assistant positions). Failure to communicate with the doctoral coordinator about a research assistant or teaching job may result in cancellation of your scholarship.

Get the Details.

Visit the Applied Economics site for details on program requirements and courses. Read faculty and student research and bios to see what you can do with an Applied Economics PhD.

Applied Economics Graduate Programs in America

1-25 of 35 results

Wharton School

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

Graduate School

• • Rating 4.67 out of 5   15 reviews

Master's Student: Intensive but interesting. Great people, but professor quality varied. Lectures tend to be very interesting, but are high level in some cases. Coming from an engineering background, this felt "easy", but it is a different type of learning- more focused on the concepts than proving theories and underlying complexities. TAs are great and there is a lot of effort put towards making students understand the material. Since there isn't a sink or swim culture, I think it incentivizes learning for the sake of learning rather than curving to a "B". Professors are very friendly and actually enjoy getting to know their students. ... Read 15 reviews

University of Pennsylvania ,

Graduate School ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

15 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Intensive but interesting. Great people, but professor quality varied. Lectures tend to be very interesting, but are high level in some cases. Coming from an engineering background, this felt "easy",... Professors are very friendly and actually enjoy getting to know their students. .

Read 15 reviews.

College of Arts and Science

Nashville, TN •

Vanderbilt University •

Vanderbilt University ,

NASHVILLE, TN ,

Ross School of Business

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   9 reviews

Master's Student: I will be beginning my MBA in January of 2024. The admissions staff are excellent and very supportive. I received my decision very quickly. ... Read 9 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I will be beginning my MBA in January of 2024. The admissions staff are excellent and very supportive. I received my decision very quickly. .

Read 9 reviews.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - Georgetown University

Nw Washington, DC •

Georgetown University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The program is highly practical. The professors explain concepts in class and give us home works to submit on each topic discussed on a weekly basis. This enables us to grasp the concepts more. We are informed of the professors office time and so we can email them to make inquiries and get assistance when needed. We make presentations during class which train us to become more bold and be able to communicate the concepts easily. We are able to discuss and critic writings independently. We work on projects in groups of about 3-4 and discuss findings to the entire class and professor. We review research papers and make meta-analyses inform of class projects. The program is well structured and i am gaining skills. My worst experience is having to worry about Tuition and other related school bills. ... Read 2 reviews

Georgetown University ,

NW WASHINGTON, DC ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The program is highly practical. The professors explain concepts in class and give us home works to submit on each topic discussed on a weekly basis. This enables us to grasp the concepts more. We... .

Read 2 reviews.

UCLA College of Letters and Science

Los Angeles, CA •

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

Woods College of Advancing Studies

Chestnut Hill, MA •

Boston College •

• • Rating 4.67 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: great teachers. great faculty, easy to get help. course material not too stressful and manageable with full time/part time job. ... Read 3 reviews

Boston College ,

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says great teachers. great faculty, easy to get help. course material not too stressful and manageable with full time/part time job. .

Read 3 reviews.

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College of Business - Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA •

Lehigh University •

Blue checkmark.

Lehigh University ,

BETHLEHEM, PA ,

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Dallas, TX •

Southern Methodist University •

Southern Methodist University ,

DALLAS, TX ,

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   9 reviews

Other: I have overall enjoyed my experience at the Colorado School of Mines. The professors are very knowledgeable and I truly believe that the goal of this school is to create engineers who are going to succeed and create solutions in the real world. ... Read 9 reviews

GOLDEN, CO ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I have overall enjoyed my experience at the Colorado School of Mines. The professors are very knowledgeable and I truly believe that the goal of this school is to create engineers who are going to... .

Carlson School of Management

Minneapolis, MN •

University of Minnesota Twin Cities •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: Top notch program with high rankings. Highly respected in the Midwest and heavily recruited by nearby companies - lots of Fortune 500 companies in the Twin Cities! ... Read 4 reviews

University of Minnesota Twin Cities ,

MINNEAPOLIS, MN ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Top notch program with high rankings. Highly respected in the Midwest and heavily recruited by nearby companies - lots of Fortune 500 companies in the Twin Cities! .

Read 4 reviews.

The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences

Columbus, OH •

The Ohio State University •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Graduate Student: Not a bad place, good reputation but the College is cutting funds every year. Cutting funds within sociales sciences and humanities has been a problem that the college face every year. ... Read 1 review

The Ohio State University ,

COLUMBUS, OH ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Not a bad place, good reputation but the College is cutting funds every year. Cutting funds within sociales sciences and humanities has been a problem that the college face every year. .

College of Social Sciences and Public Policy - Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL •

Florida State University •

• • Rating 4.73 out of 5   11 reviews

Master's Student: FSU's graduate social work program is competitive & includes several experiential learning opportunities for online students. FSU ensures that online work does not equate to a compromise in education. The professors often include up-to-date lectures and utilize video forums for peer discussions which allows for a different modality of class engagement when synchronous learning is not possible. Additionally, the classes that I have enrolled in have encouraged me to critically analyze the field of social work and even the coursework being taught. I feel challenged in classes while also optimistic that students are encouraged to creatively problem-solve the field's current dilemmas. With the practical experience provided throughout the program it is important for students to consider their motivating influences for becoming a social worker which often includes forms of policy change. FSU offers an academic platform for students to explore such ideas via diverse coursework. ... Read 11 reviews

Florida State University ,

TALLAHASSEE, FL ,

11 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says FSU's graduate social work program is competitive & includes several experiential learning opportunities for online students. FSU ensures that online work does not equate to a compromise in education. The professors often include up-to-date lectures and utilize video forums for peer discussions which allows for a different modality of class engagement when synchronous learning is not possible. Additionally, the classes that I have enrolled in have encouraged me to critically analyze the field of social work and even the coursework being taught. I feel challenged in classes while also... .

Read 11 reviews.

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Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business

St Louis, MO •

Saint Louis University •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: I am in SLU's professional MBA program. The classes are good, but I have found that some professors give a tremendous amount of work that feels much more like undergrad vs. graduate school. I believe that the program is mostly comprised of recent graduates, so if you're a more experienced professional you should expect to be the oldest in the classroom. As an senior-level director with a heavy workload and as a mom, I can only successfully take one course at a time. Subsequently, this program will take me about 5 years to complete. Neighboring schools like WashU have switched to offering all classes in-person and online, and students have the choice to attend whichever they prefer/can. I feel SLU is behind in offering this benefit. Especially if they want to continue to attract busy professionals and executives who regularly travel for work, despite a pandemic. ... Read 4 reviews

Saint Louis University ,

ST LOUIS, MO ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am in SLU's professional MBA program. The classes are good, but I have found that some professors give a tremendous amount of work that feels much more like undergrad vs. graduate school. I believe that the program is mostly comprised of recent graduates, so if you're a more experienced professional you should expect to be the oldest in the classroom. As an senior-level director with a heavy workload and as a mom, I can only successfully take one course at a time. Subsequently, this program will take me about 5 years to complete. Neighboring schools like WashU have switched to offering all classes in-person and online, and students have the choice to attend whichever they prefer/can. I feel SLU is behind in offering this... .

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences - Washington State University

Pullman, WA •

Washington State University •

Washington State University ,

PULLMAN, WA ,

School of Management - University at Buffalo, SUNY

Buffalo, NY •

University at Buffalo, SUNY •

University at Buffalo, SUNY ,

BUFFALO, NY ,

Marquette University College of Business Administration

Milwaukee, WI •

Marquette University •

Marquette University ,

MILWAUKEE, WI ,

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences - University of Houston

Houston, TX •

University of Houston •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews

Current Master's student: The academic program is rather good at the University of Houston. I have three social work classes and they are robust and full of great information. The choices of classes at UH is very good and allows students to follow their academic path and find classes that fit their program. The advisors at UH are on top of things and are always able and willing to help. I would honestly say that UH is a great place for academics! ... Read 3 reviews

University of Houston ,

HOUSTON, TX ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The academic program is rather good at the University of Houston. I have three social work classes and they are robust and full of great information. The choices of classes at UH is very good and... .

Division of Social Sciences - UC Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA •

University of California - Santa Cruz •

University of California - Santa Cruz ,

SANTA CRUZ, CA ,

Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences

Corvallis, OR •

Oregon State University •

Oregon State University ,

CORVALLIS, OR ,

College of Business - Bryant University

Smithfield, RI •

Bryant University •

Bryant University ,

SMITHFIELD, RI ,

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, IL •

University of Illinois Chicago •

University of Illinois Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

Nistler College of Business and Public Administration

Grand Forks, ND •

University of North Dakota •

Master's Student: Coursework pertains directly to the skills used in the social work profession. All classes have thoroughly prepared me for commencing my internship soon. ... Read 2 reviews

University of North Dakota ,

GRAND FORKS, ND ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says Coursework pertains directly to the skills used in the social work profession. All classes have thoroughly prepared me for commencing my internship soon. .

College of Agriculture and Applied Science - Utah State University

Logan, UT •

Utah State University •

Utah State University ,

LOGAN, UT ,

Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Bozeman, MT •

Montana State University •

Montana State University ,

BOZEMAN, MT ,

Haworth College of Business

Kalamazoo, MI •

Western Michigan University •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Niche User: The business program I’m currently enrolled in will prepare me for my future in business. The coursework not only is preparing me but the opportunity to network and build relationships with successful WMU alumni also helps. ... Read 2 reviews

Western Michigan University ,

KALAMAZOO, MI ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Niche User says The business program I’m currently enrolled in will prepare me for my future in business. The coursework not only is preparing me but the opportunity to network and build relationships with... .

Showing results 1 through 25 of 35

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Applied Economics, PhD

Combining the faculties of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics & Public Policy, Wharton’s Applied Economics program leverages the breadth and depth of its faculty to prepare students for careers doing frontier theoretical and empirical research. Students can focus on a variety of areas including Behavioral Economics, Development Economics, Energy and Environmental Economics, Industrial Organization, Market Design, Public Economics, Risk Management, and Urban Economics and Real Estate. Students may also develop an inter-disciplinary focus by taking courses and working with faculty in some of the other departments at Wharton such as Finance, Health Care Management, Management, and Marketing.

For more information: https://doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu/programs-of-study/applied-economics/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

The course of study for the Ph.D. in Applied Economics requires the completion of 15 graduate course units. The common core consists of 3 theory courses and 3 statistics/econometrics courses. Students are also expected to master two field areas by passing two courses in each (total of 4 courses units). The remaining course units necessary to achieve 15 are split between the mandatory graduate student research seminars and other electives.

Students may also take STAT 9210 , STAT 5200 , and STAT 5210 .

Taken in the Spring and Fall of years 2 and 3 for 0.5 cu each

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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PhD in Applied Economics

The PhD program is small and focused, with students concentrating in one field of specialization. Fewer than ten students enter the program each year. Students may concentrate in either industrial organization, competition policy, and regulatory economics; or labor economics. Each field is covered in two semester courses at the PhD level. Students who elect the industrial organization, competition policy, and regulatory economics field may further elect a second field in transportation economics. Admission from the Bachelor’s level requires taking the MA core courses and two additional elective courses plus the PhD requirements.

The PhD program is  STEM  certified covering a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. ( The IPEDS classification:   Detail for CIP Code 45.0603    Title: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics)

The field of  Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics  analyzes and evaluates the performance of markets and devises appropriate policy responses when markets are not performing well. By developing techniques for examining the structure, conduct, and performance of markets, it bridges economic theory and the real world. In addition, it helps to develop and implement antitrust and regulatory policies to remedy failures of those markets. Students specializing in industrial organization may further elect a second field in transportation economics.

The field of Labor Economics analyzes the neoclassical labor market, covering such topics as the supply of labor from the perspective of the individual and the family, human capital. The demand for labor, market equilibrium, and the determination and distribution of wages and earnings are analyzed. Theoretical and empirical issues surrounding current topics in labor economics are examined, and may include discrimination, efficiency wage theory, labor legislation, life cycle analysis and the use of microdata (panel studies), search behavior, intergenerational earnings mobility, and employment and training policies.

Silvia Prina

Associate professor of economics.

Silvia Prina is a development economist interested in understanding the behavior of poor households for the purpose of uncovering potential strategies to improve their lives. Her first set of papers investigates how financial access, particularly via…

Contact: Northeastern University 360 Huntington Avenue 301 Lake Hall Boston, MA 02115-5000 phone: 617.373.2871 fax: 617.373.3640

email: [email protected]  

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Type of Program

Get more information about this graduate program., more programs, bachelor of arts (b.a.) in economics, bachelor of science (b.s.) in economics, combined majors, masters of science in economics, plusone accelerated master’s program economics.

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Applied Economics PhD

The Applied Economics PhD program provides training valuable for success in academic, analytical, and policy positions. Students focus on quantitative economic analysis of problems and policies in areas primarily related to agriculture, natural resources and the environment, trade, development, energy, marine and coastal resources, and health care. Our graduate program learning outcomes are here .

The program emphasizes rigorous immersion in economic theory, econometrics and other quantitative methods, and in their uses and applications in the student’s concentration areas. The curriculum draws on core courses offered within the Applied Economics graduate program – and on concentration and elective courses from the Applied Economics Department, the Colleges of Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, and the School of Public Health.

The Applied Economics PhD program prepares students for careers in academia, consulting, and government and in financial services and other industries.

The Graduate Program Director (currently Dr. David Kling ) acts as the temporary advisor for students beginning PhD studies. Students are strongly encouraged to find a permanent advisor/major professor by winter quarter of their second year. Ideally this is the same as the advisor for the empirical paper, but it does not need to be. The Director will provide guidance on the first year 1 courses that will be suitable to the program requirements and to the student’s background and interests.

The Applied Economics PhD program is committed to diversity . 

The overall program consists of five components:

(1) Core courses in microeconomic and quantitative methods

(2) Two concentration areas, each with a minimum three-course requirement

(3) Elective courses

(4) An empirical research paper written during the student's second year, and

(5) Dissertation research

Students must receive a B or higher in all courses meant to fulfill PhD program requirements. PhD program completion time is normally four years.

--------------------------------

Core Courses  ( course catalog )

AEC 512 Microeconomic Theory 

AEC 525 Applied Econometrics 

AEC 611 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I 

AEC 612 Advanced Microeconomic Theory II 

AEC 625 Advanced Econometrics I

AEC 626 Advanced Econometrics II 

AEC 627 Computational Economics 

GRAD 520 Responsible Conduct of Research 

Concentration Courses 

Concentrations available in the Applied Economics Program are: (a) Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, (b) Development Economics, and (c) An open concentration area developed in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. 

Students are required to complete two concentrations.  Each should include at least three courses, two of which must be at the 600 (PhD) level.  Concentration courses in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics and in Development Economics will be offered in alternate years.

The following courses ( course catalog )  are relevant to the two defined concentration areas:

Natural Resource and Environmental Economics 

AEC 550 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

AEC 651 Advanced Natural Resource Economics

AEC 652 Advanced Environmental Economics

AEC 653 Empirical Environmental and Resource Economics

Development Economics 

ECON 555 Economic Development

AEC 640 Sustainable Development

AEC 643 Advanced Topics in Development Economics

Electives and Dissertation

A total minimum of 108 credits (500 or 600 level) are needed to complete the PhD program, of which at least 36 must be PhD dissertation credits.   The minimum number of elective credits needed for the degree will be that required – together with the core, concentration, and dissertation credits – to fulfill the 108-credit total minimum. Some examples of previous student dissertations are here . 

Some example elective classes include (see the Graduate Handbook for more examples): 

Forestry Policy

FOR 531 Economics & Policy of Wildland Fire

FOR 534 Economics of Forest Resource

FE 640 Combinatorial Optimization

MTH 528 Stochastic Elements in Mathematical Biology

Health Economics

H 638 Public & Private Health Insurance

H 659 Health Policy Research Methods II

H 632 Applied Health Economics

Data Science

AEC 555 Program Evaluation

ST 537 Data Visualization

ST 538 Modern Statistical Methods for Large and Complex Datasets

ST 543 Applied Stochastic Models

CS 534 Machine Learning

Program Requirements

To be advanced to candidacy, the student must pass a written preliminary examination (at the end of the first year), write an empirical research paper during the second year, and pass a comprehensive oral qualifying examination (no later than fall of the third year).

Written Preliminary Exam

The written preliminary exam focuses on the microeconomic theory courses taken during the first year, together with applications of the theory covered in the first-year econometrics and quantitative methods courses. Microeconomic Theory III (AEC 613) taken in the second year and Computational Economics (AEC 627), taken in the second year, are not tested on the written preliminary exam.

Second Year Research Paper

All PhD students are expected to complete a research project during their second year in the program. Each student will register for AEC 606 (Special Projects) for each quarter of the second year – 1 credit in the fall and 3 credits in the winter and spring term. The purpose of the empirical project is for PhD students to begin thinking about research and identifying potential advisors and topics early in the program, and to produce a research paper that provides evidence on an original idea. Each student should identify an AEC graduate faculty member to advise the development of the paper. However, ultimately the research paper is the responsibility of the student, though a collaborative effort with the faculty advisor is acceptable. The faculty advisor is the principal source of feedback on the paper and students are strongly encouraged to identify a faculty advisor by the beginning of their second year. This faculty member may, but does not have to, eventually become the student’s permanent dissertation advisor. Similarly, the chosen topic may, but does not have to, develop into (part of) the student’s dissertation topic. The organization of AEC 606 is meant to provide each student with guidance and a set of deadlines to help facilitate completion of the project. There are multiple hard deadlines that will be enforced. The purpose of the deadlines is to ensure steady progress is made throughout the year.

Comprehensive Oral Qualifying Exam

After the student has identified a major professor, assembled a committee, and filed a program of study, he/she must pass the comprehensive oral qualifying examination (no later than fall of the third year). The oral exam has two components: a) A proposal of the student’s intended dissertation research; and b) An oral exam covering all of the student’s core and field course work up to the time of the exam. Once the student passes this exam, he/she is advanced to PhD candidacy.

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. 

About the Programs

Georgetown’s Department of Economics offers three graduate programs: a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Economics, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Economics and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economics.

The M.A. in Applied Economics  provides students with a solid understanding of the fundamental tools of economic analysis, which can be employed to undertake rigorous analyses of economic issues and economic policies. The focus of this program is in contrast to an alternative professional degree, such as an MBA, which provides the relevant training for a career in business or management. It also is distinct from an M.S. degree in economics, which is frequently considered a stepping stone to a Ph.D. in economics and concentrates on academic contributions.

The M.S. in Economics  is an innovative two-year program, recognized as a STEM degree, emphasizing frontier training in econometrics and quantitative economics.

The Ph.D. in Economics  is a full-time course of study designed for students who seek research careers on the forefront of economic science. The Ph.D. program provides an excellent training environment for future scholars. Located in the nation’s capital, it is ideally situated for both students specializing in pure science and those who wish to study policy informed by the science.

Ph.D. students may choose from among nine fields of specialization:

• Econometrics
• Economic Development
• Economic Theory
• Industrial Organization
• International Macro and Finance
• International Trade
• Labor Economics
• Macroeconomics
• Public Economics and Political Economy

Degrees Offered

M.a. in applied economics, m.s. in economics, ph.d. in economics, admissions requirements.

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the  program’s website  for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Statement of Purpose
• Transcripts:  Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official  transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit our Application Information page for additional details and FAQs.
• WES Evaluation: strongly encouraged (if applicable)
• Official Recommendations (3)
• TOEFL = 100 minimum
• IELTS = 7.0 minimum

Undergraduate training in economics is desirable, but exceptions are made in cases of students with appropriate alternative backgrounds. Undergraduate training in statistics and multivariable calculus is required, plus superior performance on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical aptitude sections of the GRE.

The core courses in typical Ph.D. programs in economics, including Georgetown’s, are highly mathematical. The typical matriculant to the Georgetown Ph.D. program has a strong mathematics background and achieves above the 80th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE. Ideally, applicants should have completed three semesters of calculus and one semester each of linear algebra and differential equations. Courses in Real Analysis and/or Measure Theory are highly desirable.

Analytical skills and a strong preparation in mathematics are essential for a successful application.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: January 15
• January 15 (priority)
• April 1 (final)

Degree Requirements

For the master’s program, students will be expected to complete the minimum of 30 course credits by taking a combination of core and elective courses. For further information please visit the department’s website .

To attain a Ph.D., a student must complete the Graduate School requirement of 54 credit hours of course work and maintain satisfactory progress in all phases of the course of study. For additional information, please visit the department’s department’s website .

Connect with Us

Program Contacts:

• Ph.D. Program Julius J. Shapiro:  [email protected]
• Master’s Programs Thomas Lewis: [email protected]

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Applied economics (ph.d., m.a., m.s., minor).

Oregon State University's Applied Economics Graduate Program offers M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Economics. The curricula provide, at both master’s and doctoral levels: (i) a foundation of rigorous core courses in economic theory, econometrics, and other quantitative methods; and (ii) areas of concentration in resource and environmental economics, trade and development, and other open fields tailored to students interest. Students employ economic theory and methods to examine important real-world problems with significant attention to the relevant institutions, contexts, and data.

The program is designed and staffed by OSU’s distinguished graduate faculty of Applied Economics, drawn from the Departments of Applied Economics; Forest Ecosystems and Society; Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management; the School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences; and the Economics Program in the School of Public Policy.

  Applied Economics Website

  College of Agricultural Sciences

  Graduate Handbook

 Corvallis

Primary Contact

Mais contact, admissions requirements, required tests.

GRE scores are optional

English Language Requirements ?

• TOEFL iBT: 90
• TOEFL Paper: 575

Additional Requirements

Application requirements, including required documents, letters, and forms, vary by program and may not be completely represented here. The processing of your application will not be completed until these requirements have been met. Please, before applying to this program, always contact the program office to confirm application requirements.

Application Process

Please review the graduate school application process and Apply Online .

Dates & Deadlines ?

Admissions deadline for all applicants.

Priority deadline

Final deadline

Funding Deadline for all applicants

Concentrations , mais participation.

This program is not offered as a MAIS field of study.

AMP Participation ?

This program participates in the Accelerated Masters Platform (AMP)

AMP Contact

Contact info.

Graduate School Heckart Lodge 2900 SW Jefferson Way Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1102

Phone: 541-737-4881 Fax: 541-737-3313

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AAE Ph.D. Program

Please Join Us

Virtual PhD Information Session: November 20, 9-10 am US Central Time

The AAE Ph.D. program provides a rigorous background in economic theory and analysis, combined with applied economics courses in the areas of Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Community Economics. Students will enjoy small class sizes, a supportive atmosphere, and strong relationships with their major advisor and the AAE community.

The program takes 4-5 years to complete. The Ph.D. curriculum relies on the doctoral core in theory and econometrics offered by Wisconsin’s outstanding and highly ranked Department of Economics . When matched with the department’s applied courses,  students learn how to use advanced methods to conceptualize and answer contemporary economic problems. This strong core training prepares students for a variety of challenging careers .

Required Coursework:

Microeconomics Theory I (Econ 711, 3 credits) Microeconomic Theory II (Econ 713, 3 credits) Macroeconomic Theory (Econ 712, 3 credits)

• Statistics and Econometrics (6 credits) Economic Statistics (Econ 709, 3 credits) Econometrics (Econ 710, 3 credits)
• Major field courses (9 credits) 3 courses from advanced applied economics area courses
• Minor field courses (9 credits) 3 courses from one outside department or 3 courses from two or more departments z
• AAE 780: Research Colloquium, 3 credits
• 51 credits are required for the PhD. After coursework, the remainder of credits are taken as independent research credits, AAE 990, 15 credits.

Active department seminar and workshop series complement formal classroom instruction.

Preliminary examinations are required in microeconomic theory and a major field. The microeconomic theory prelim is administered and graded by the faculty in Economics. Students receiving grades of B or better in the microeconomic theory core can choose not to sit for the prelim. Pass rates for AAE students have historically been around 85%. The major field prelim is administered and graded by the AAE faculty.

The Ph.D. also requires a dissertation. Most students’ dissertation work includes a period of primary data collection and field work either in this country or abroad, often in the developing world.

Accepted candidates are offered funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships or Fellowships.

The following video features an AAE Ph.D. student and his research.

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PhD student research

Poverty alleviation

AAE PhD student Qinan Lu looks at impacts of residential relocation on rural household efficiency.

Conflict and learning

PhD student Osaretin Olurotimi uses spatial data to analyze the effect of conflict on learning outcomes of children in Uganda.

Award-winning research

Gaurav Doshi receives the 2022 PhD Bromley Paper Prize for research on short and long-run effects of electricity grid expansion.

Social norms & economics

Sakina Shibuya works on a project in Pakistan looking at roles of social norms on decisions to hire women in the garment industry.

Wetland ecosystems

Nicole Karwowski, left, studies how wetland ecosystems improve crop yields and create climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Crime & economic shocks

Itzel De Haro Lopez studies the effect of NAFTA on violence and economic growth in Mexico's avocado sector.

Scholar research award

Vikas Gawai was selected by the Center for Financial Security to be a Junior Scholar chosen for his research on social security.

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Economics

Please note that we are not accepting applicants for the Fall 2024 cohort.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in applied economics in the Department of Economics at Western Michigan University is designed to meet the needs of future high-level practicing economists in non-academic and academia settings . The Ph.D. program is intended to be completed within four years.

NOTE:  Our Ph.D. in Applied Economics has the following CIP Code: 45.0603

The Department of Economics has faculty demonstrating a wide range of research interests with a common theme of applied research. The faculty uses state-of-the-art economic theory and empirical methods to address a myriad of applied economic problems.

Program requirements

Components of the doctoral program

The WMU Ph.D. program in applied economics develops skills required for applied research and prepares doctorates for their first job in academia.

Workshops and internships

WMU's program retains a core curriculum as is required by traditional Ph.D. programs in economics, but also requires participation in applied economics workshops and allows the completion of an internship in a non-academic organization.

During an internship, students report to an employee of the organization and a Department of Economics faculty member. The internship gives students the incentive and opportunity to apply knowledge of economic theory and empirical methods to the actual problems faced by an organization. The internship may provide the subject of the dissertation and therefore send graduates into the job market with a somewhat different orientation than that of graduates from traditional programs.

For admission to the Ph.D. program in applied economics, students must satisfy all the criteria identified in the graduate catalog . In addition, the Department of Economics requires:

• GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). Note: Students in our most recently admitted Ph.D. class had an average verbal GRE of 146, an average quantitative GRE of 158, and an average analytical GRE of 3.2.  We do not have a minimum required GRE.
• Intermediate level microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory.
• One year of calculus.
• A personal statement discussing career plans.
• Three letters of reference from persons in a position to assess your qualifications for doctoral-level study and likelihood of successful completion of the Ph.D. degree.

Meet our students

The Department of Economics has a diverse student body with students from all over the world. Our doctoral students have opportunities to teach undergraduate classes, attend conferences and conduct research both independently and in collaboration with faculty.

Our Ph.D. alumni have established successful careers and lives. Check out current job positions of some of our Ph.D. alumni .

Contact Dr. Christine Moser , director of graduate programs, for additional information.

Ph.D. in Applied Economics

Attention prospective students.

As of June 2023, Applied Economics Ph.D. now has a STEM CIP code ( 45.0603   replaces 45.0602).

Building better businesses

The doctoral program in applied economics focuses on the applications of economic theory and econometrics to resolve problems concerning agricultural endeavors.

The  Ph.D. graduate degree program includes faculty from  the   Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology  as well as the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts’ Department of Economics . 

Our doctoral program prepares students for leadership careers in government, private industry and education.  The program also offers a minor in statistics . 

Areas of Specialization

• Applied Market Analysis
• Applied Production Economics
• International Economics
• Natural Resource & Environmental Economics
• Statistics Minor

Doctoral PROGRam

The information below is a brief description of the  Doctoral program in Applied Economics (Agriculture)  offered by our department.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.)

The Ph.D. in applied economics leaves graduates well-versed in subjects including  applied production economics, demand analysis, international economics, resource and environmental economics,   to name a few . 

There is an oral exam in the field of specialization and proposed dissertation topic plus final oral dissertation defense.

CURRICULUM & REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for a Ph.D. include a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the baccalaureate.  In the first year, students take two semesters of microeconomics and econometrics, one semester of macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and research methods, and a special topics course on writing for scholarly journals that serves as the basis for the Ph.D. research paper that is due at the beginning of the second year of coursework.   

In the second year, students take two semesters of advanced micro-econometrics along with other core courses and complete their Ph.D. research paper. Upon completion of the  p aper, the student schedules an  o ral  p reliminary  e xamination, which lays the groundwork for the dissertation.   

The third year is devoted to completing required core courses and the dissertation. The dissertation typically consists of the Ph.D. research paper and two essays. The dissertation is defended at the final oral examination, which constitutes the final requirement for the Ph.D.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE COURSE CURRICULUM  

Ph.D. Research Paper

The writing of a publishable paper is required during the first two years of the Ph.D. program. The paper must be sole-authored and worthy of submission to an economics or related journal with a Google Scholar h-index of 25 or above.

Journals meeting this standard can be found on the bibliometric search engine “Harzing’s Publish or Perish” available as a free download on Harzing’s website. Students are encouraged to begin developing research ideas immediately upon entering the graduate program. Initial ideas for the paper (consisting of a concise research question, a sketch of a framework for investigation, and verification of available data) must be submitted to the Paper Committee by January 15 of the first year as part of the Research Paper course (described later).

Based on the paper idea and student nominations, the Paper Committee assigns a Paper Advisor to each student. Thereafter, students report to and interact frequently with their Paper Advisor. Students are also encouraged to seek advice or reactions to drafts from faculty throughout the development of their paper, just as a faculty member might seek advice from a colleague. However, the paper must be solely the student’s work, which excludes work done jointly with faculty here or elsewhere (such as a professor in prior undergraduate/graduate work). Plagiarism standards of the journals apply, and violations could result in expulsion from the university (see Student Academic Honesty Code and discussion below).

The student’s progress is evaluated by the Paper Committee together with the Paper Advisor. To assist the student in meeting the paper requirement, the Paper Committee will teach a 3-hour course on the basics of writing for journals. In this course, which is offered Spring Semester, students make an oral presentation on the development of their paper ideas and submit a formal Paper Prospectus on or about April 30 (end of Spring semester). Attendance is required.

The student’s paper must be submitted to the Paper Committee by September 30 following the first year of coursework.

After soliciting a thorough review of the paper by the Paper Advisor and two independent reviewers selected from the faculty, the Paper Committee classifies the paper into one of three categories:

• (i) the paper meets the standard as is,
• (ii) the paper could meet the standard with minor revision, or
• (iii) the paper needs substantial work.

Students with papers in the first category are finished with the paper requirement. Students with papers in the second and third categories are given careful advice on how to bring their papers up to journal quality and continue to work with their Paper Advisors (which subsequently include the independent faculty reviewers).

The revised paper must be submitted by January 15 of the second year, when a similar evaluation process occurs. If the revised paper fails to meet the standard, a second revision will be due on April 30 .

If the paper at that point does not meet the standard, or could not do so with straightforward revisions, the student will not be allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program. These students have the option of changing to a terminal MS program or leaving the Ph.D. program. The chair of the Paper Committee conveys the committee’s final evaluation of each student in writing to the Graduate Program Officer, who, in turn, provides written notification of the final decision to the student and the Department Chair.

Read the complete AERS PhD Research Paper Requirements (PDF)

3 Tips to Produce a Successful Paper

• Select a topic that contributes to the AERS Department’s research program. Most faculty have research projects funded by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station , or outside contracts and grants. Familiarize yourself with these research projects, with the aim of developing a researchable idea that contributes to the research objectives. This will align your interest with faculty expertise, and thus result in higher quality feedback as the writing process unfolds.
• Do a thorough review of the literature with the aim of identifying gaps, problems, or puzzles that your work could address. Focus on work published in the better journals, i.e., those with a GS h-index higher than 25. Avoid unpublished work, and work published in “popular” outlets, i.e., those intended for a non-scientific audience. And be sure that the review is up to date, i.e., includes the most recent work on the topic. A good place to find relevant articles is EconLit, the electronic data base maintained by the American Economics Association. Harzing’s Publish or Perish is also a good source, as it allows you to re-arrange articles on any given topic by date of publication, journal, and citation rate.
• Assemble a data base early in the research process, ideally by the end of the first semester of classes. This will give you an opportunity to explore alternative hypotheses, apply econometric techniques learned in class, and develop a realistic understanding of what can be accomplished given data limitations and time constraints.

Writing Help

Poorly written papers are apt to be rejected by faculty reviewers. With this in mind, international students whose first language is not English in particular are strongly encouraged to take advantage of writing help offered by the university.

Two places where help can be found are the International Student/Scholar English Center (ISEC) and the Miller Writing Center located in RBD Library. ISEC offers free tutoring services as well as specialized courses (INTL 1800 and INTL 1830) designed to improve proficiency in oral and written English. The Miller Writing Center has a program called “WriteFest” that is designed specifically to support graduate student writing.

Students (domestic and international) who turn in poorly written papers and who have not taken advantage of these services are apt not to get much sympathy in the appeals process. So it is smart to work these services/programs into your schedule early in your Ph.D. studies, preferably in the first year.

Graduate Degree Documents

For more information in detail please reference these graudate degree documents regarding our Ph.D. in Applied Economics.

Applied Economics Ph.D. Program Description (PDF)

Aers phd research paper requirement (pdf), aers graduate handbook (pdf), graduate degrees & programs, aers placement, research office, financial aid & scholarships, career discovery, student services.

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PHD, Agricultural & Applied Economics

Rigorous curriculum and cutting-edge research programs in a wide range of economic fields. Work closely with nationally recognized, experienced faculty to break new ground in our understanding of human decision making and economic institutions.

Degree Type: Doctoral

Degree Program Code: PHD_AGAE

Degree Program Summary:

Graduate study in agricultural and applied economics leading to a Master of Science degree in agricultural and applied economics or environmental economics and Doctor of Philosophy degree provides a wide range of educational opportunities in addressing the issues of production and distribution of food and fiber, natural resource and environmental management, and the quality of rural life. These programs prepare students for careers of leadership through development of a high degree of economic comprehension and decision making. Applications of economic theory and econometrics to resolve economic problems are the major areas of focus for courses in the department. The department has offered graduate degree programs for over 55 years. Its graduates hold key positions in both the private and public sectors in the state, the nation, and throughout the world. Graduates are employed in a wide range of positions, with robust demand in private industry from health care to food and fiber wholesale firms. Graduates are employed in domestic and international academic positions.

Graduate study is offered at both the masters and doctoral levels. The Master of Science (MS) in agricultural and applied economics and the Master of Science (MS) in environmental economics degrees require 27 hours minimum of course work and three hours of thesis. A Master of Agribusiness (MAB) degree consists of a minimum of 36 hours of course work including a technical report in lieu of a formal thesis. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree consists of a minimum of 63 hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree, satisfactory performance on written and oral examinations, and a formal dissertation.

Graduate instruction and research may be undertaken in the following areas of specialization: agricultural marketing and consumer demand, agricultural business management, production economics, natural resources and environmental economics, and international trade and development.

Graduate research is coordinated with the department’s overall research program. Students may select a research topic related to the department’s current research projects or an approved area of sponsored research. Exceptional computer facilities, software, and support are available for departmental research.

Financial assistance is available to graduate students on a competitive basis in the form of departmental research assistantships. Paid internships are also available from regional and national agribusiness firms.

Locations Offered:

Athens (Main Campus)

College / School:

College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

147 Cedar Street Athens, GA 30602

706-542-3924

Department:

Agricultural and Applied Economics

Graduate Coordinator(s):

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College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Agricultural & Consumer Economics

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Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Applied Economics

Degree requirements   Sample program

Study and research for the Ph.D .in Agricultural and Applied Economics typically requires four years beyond the MS degree.

• The first year is devoted to completing the Ph.D. core courses which cover the theory and quantitative methods upon which field or elective courses in agricultural and consumer economics are based.
• The second year is usually devoted to courses in the student's chosen area(s) of specialization and to completion of an independent research paper.
• The third year students present their research paper, complete research, and orally defend a proposal for dissertation topic.
• The fourth year student defend their final exam and deposit their dissertation.

Upon completing courses and passing a written preliminary examination, doctoral students must complete a significant research paper and orally defend a proposal for dissertation research. The oral defense assesses their preparation and plans for independent research and other related topics. Each Ph.D. candidate presents the completed research in a final dissertation defense.

The Ph.D. degree is a STEM-designated program.

To view the general requirements of the PhD program, see the university's academic catalog . We have also created a sample program to help visualize how a Ph.D. student's time would be spent.

Specializations

ACE is a leader in agricultural and applied finance. The program has both a strong research base, and proven record working with industry participants and policy makers to address real-world problems and develop useful tools and outreach products. Students in the graduate program can become involved in any of a wide range of finance-related topics including asset valuation, credit assessment, firm-level financial management, investment and capital budgeting evaluation, leverage, financial structure, lending policies, agricultural credit institutions, and national and international trends affecting financial outcomes in agriculture. The faculty's strong ties to production agriculture, lending institutions, and agribusiness create an environment conducive to problem-oriented research, and provide highly promising post-graduation opportunities.

Recommended Courses for Ph.D. Area of Specialization

Descriptions of courses listed below are available on the  course catalog

• ACE 542, Advanced Agricultural Finance

and at least two of:

• ACE 591, Independent Study (Approved Finance Topics), 4 hours
• FIN 511, Investments, 4 hours
• FIN 561, Financial Intermediation, 4 hours
• FIN 562, Macrofinance, 4 hours
• FIN 591, Theory of Finance, 4 hours
• FIN 596, Seminar in Fin Intermediation, 4 hours

For more information about Agricultural Finance, please contact:

Students in family and consumer economics use applied economics to address policy-relevant issues related to the behavior and well being of families, individuals, and consumers. This area of specialization focuses on household demand, household production, family formation and dissolution, consumer finance and family economics, and government policy. Faculty members are leading experts in several areas of family and consumer research including child support payments; effects of family structure on children's schooling, health, and well being; determinants of household financial well-being; family and consumer policy; consumer information and regulation; and health care issues. Faculty members also have a strong and growing interest in the international dimensions of family and consumer economics, including applications in the areas of international development and consumer finance.

• ACE 531, Impact Evaluation, 2 hours
• ACE 571, Household Economics, 2 hours
• ACE 572, Economics of the Family, 4 hours

For more information about Family and Consumer Economics, please contact:

This area focuses on a variety of management and decision issues relevant to farms and other firms in the food and agribusiness sector. Cooperation with the College of Business allows students to take courses or minor in related business fields. Research areas include decision analysis, information systems, operations management, business organization and strategy, marketing tactics and strategy, and behavior of organizations and decision makers. Close ties with industry executives enrich students' opportunities.

For more information about Food, Agribusiness and Farm Management, please contact:

Students in this area study the role of government in economic development, marketing, finance, international trade, and agriculture. They analyze policies related to market stabilization, international economic relations, food safety and biotechnology, natural resource use, income distribution, and public sector-private sector relations. Students and faculty also study the role of interest groups in the development of policies. Faculty have experience in Australia, Africa, Canada, Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

• ACE 531 Impact Evaluation, 2 hours
• ACE 556 Agricultural Policy and Political Economy, 4 hours
• ACE 557 Food, Poverty and Development, 2 hours
• ACE 559 Food, Trade and Development, 2 hours
• ACE 571 Household Economics, 2 hours

For more information about International and Development Economics, please contact:

ACE is a leading contributor to economic studies of bioenergy, soil carbon sequestration, water resource management and valuation, resource and habitat conservation, and voluntary environmental programs. Our proximity to some of the world’s most productive agricultural land as well as to the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and Chicago provides ready access to important field sites and enables us to be major contributors to environmental, natural resource, and agricultural policy development both nationally and regionally.

At least two of:

• ACE 510, Adv Natural Resource Economics, 4 hours
• ACE 516, Environmental Economics, 4 hours

For more information about Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, please contact:

Students in price analysis and agricultural marketing address the performance of agricultural markets. The department is closely linked with one of the world's most important markets for agricultural commodities. It is a leader in analyzing those markets, including options and futures markets located in Chicago, to find ways of improving the worldwide flow of food and fiber. Other areas of research include market information, grain quality in domestic and international markets, location and transportation analysis, and managing price and income risk.

• ACE 520, Food Commodity Markets, 4 hours
• ACE 527, Advanced Price Analysis, 4 hours

For more information about Price Analysis and Agricultural marketing, please contact:

Regional economics is an intellectually demanding and exciting field. Recognizing that space or location matters adds another dimension of complexity and realism to traditional economics. Traditional questions of regional economics include why some regions prosper while others do not, why some industries cluster, and what public policies can help places become more competitive and prosperous. More recent questions deal with the spatial externalities of weather events on, among others, crop yield and interregional trade as well as the impact of climate change on global supply chain linkages. The University of Illinois has a 40‑year heritage of educating leading regional economists and providing leadership to the Regional Science Association International.

• ACE 532/SE, Spatial Econometrics, 4 hours
• ACE 592, Environmental and economic Input-Output, 4 hours

For more information about Regional Economics and Public Policy, please contact:

Sample Program

*If approved, one field course may also fulfill the quantitative methods requirement.

Our Ph.D. program

We are in the process of updating our ph.d. student planning guide. if you have questions in the meantime, please email amy guerin at [email protected] ., admissions requirements.

Requirements for applying are:  

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 base for the last two years of undergraduate studies or satisfactory performance at the graduate level.
• GRE scores (Verbal score of at least 30th percentile and a quantitative score of 50th percentile or higher)
• A minimum of three reference letters
• 1-2 paged Personal Statement
• A minimum TOFEL score of 90 on the internet-based test (iBT) with subscores of at least 20 in each area for students whose primary language is not English.  An IELTS score of 6.5 is also acceptable for this admission requirement.

Areas of specialization:

Applied econometrics.

Applying econometric tools to quantify and address societal problems. This field focuses on applying advanced econometric tools to address a broad range of economic problems with a strong focus on computational methods and programming. Students will become proficient in a variety of statistical software packages, such as R, Matlab, and STATA, and learn to build their own "custom-tailored" algorithms to solve applied econometric problems. Students can take courses in both advanced econometric theory and applied methods. The latter include nonlinear optimization, panel data econometrics, time series analysis, and Bayesian econometrics. Additional elective courses, such as time series analysis, nonparametric methods, and spatial statistics are available through the Department of Statistics. The analytical skills acquired through the applied econometrics field combine well with any of the other field areas offered in the department.  For this reason, Ph.D. students often choose Applied Econometrics as one of their main fields.

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

Evaluation of the economic impact of environmental and resource problems and policies. This field focuses on the economic implications of environmental and natural resource issues and policies.  Students who choose environmental and resource economics as one of their Ph.D. fields will take two field courses - “Environmental Economic Theory and Policy Analysis” and “Dynamic Optimization and Natural Resource Economics”. The first course develops the theoretical foundation for environmental and natural resource policy designs and covers externalities, public goods, property rights, and the design of optimal environmental and natural resource policies. Research projects by recent Ph.D. students include public preferences for forest protection from invasive infection as an ecological indicator of climate change, robust nonparametric and Bayesian econometric approaches for combining secondary data to inform environmental policy, optimal design of residential outdoor watering policies, demand for natural gas as a transportation fuel, and cost-effective strategies to control nonpoint source pollution.

International Development and Trade

Factors and policies affecting economic prospects, poverty, and inequality in developing countries. International trade negotiations, trade agreements, disputes, and barriers to trade. This field focuses on the economics of development and international trade. Students who complete a field in international development and trade will take at least two field courses - “Topics in Applied Development Economics” and “International Trade and Finance”. These courses cover topics such as economic theories of development; methods for measuring poverty and inequality; evaluation of public policies for poverty reduction and economic growth; interactions between environment, health, and development; methods for measuring technical change; political economy of trade; imperfect competition and intra-industry trade; and monetary aspects of international trade. Students have conducted research in areas such as the impact on food security in Ethiopia of improved maize varieties, asset indexes and measurements of poverty in Zimbabwe, returns to agricultural research, non-tariff measures and their impact on international trade flows, causes and consequences of the proliferation of free trade agreements, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its role in the multilateral trading system, the scale and duration of international agricultural product trade, and U.S.-China international trade.

Food and Health Economics

The economics of food, nutrition, and health choices with implications for policy design and effectiveness. This field focuses on the economics of food, nutrition, and health choices with implications for policy design and effectiveness.  Students who select food and health economics as their research focus will take two field courses - “Food and Health Microeconomics” and “Food and Health Macroeconomics”. These courses cover topics such as basic nutrition, unitary and collective household production models of food choices and health, nutrition and food production from the supply side, principal-agent theory, and cost and benefit measurement in health economics.  Students in the past have done research in a variety of areas such as the academic performance of malnourished or overweight children, estimating the average cost-effectiveness of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program, designing better incentive-compatible weight loss programs, determining the impact of Food Stamp Participation on child and household food security, estimating the elasticity of substitution between time and goods in food production at home, and maternal choices to provide safe drinking water.

Combined Program

Academic Employment Track with Future Professoriate Graduate Certificate:  AAEC partners with the Virginia Tech Graduate School to offer an  academic employment track  that prepares Ph.D. students for future roles in academia. 

Interdisciplinary Degree in Remote Sensing:  AAEC Ph.D. students can combine their program with the  Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing  by taking additional courses related to Remote Sensing and participating in a weekly seminar. Students who complete the requirements receive a certificate in Remote Sensing in addition to their Ph.D.

Department requirements

Advisory committee.

All Ph.D. students must have an advisory committee. This committee must be formed before the plan of study is filed. The major professor normally serves as chair of the advisory committee. The advisory committee will consist of a minimum of four faculty members (including the advisor). The committee chair, or at least one co-chair, must have a Ph.D. in economics, agricultural economics, or applied economics. Ph.D. students must identify at least two dissertation readers, but readers are not designated on the program of study.

Each student is encouraged to visit with faculty members concerning his/her interests prior to forming an advisory committee. In forming their advisory committee, students are encouraged to have at least one member committed from the faculty in Economics and at least one member from Agricultural and Applied Economics. Students may also include member(s) from other departments.

Once selected, it is the responsibility of the advisory committee to review the student’s proposed coursework and to assess the likelihood of the student successfully completing his/her program. As a student progresses with their program, research plans should be discussed with and approved by their advisory committee. It is the responsibility of the advisory committee chair and the readers to evaluate drafts of the dissertation and provide continuous reviews.

Plan of Study

Each Ph.D student’s plan of study must be approved prior to completion of their third semester. The plan of study should include a listing of all courses including course name and credit hours using the appropriate form. The student should submit a copy of the program of study, signed by all advisory committee members, to the Graduate Program Coordinator. Upon approval by the Graduate Director and the Department Head, the Graduate Program Coordinator will electronically submit the program of study to the Graduate School.

The Graduate School requirements for a Ph.D. degree include a minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the baccalaureate, with at least 27 hours of course work and 30 hours of Research and Dissertation (AAEC/ECON 7994).

Doctoral students must satisfactorily complete both Qualifying and Preliminary examinations according to the guidelines in the Student Planning Manual. The Qualifying examination should be taken during January of the second year. The preliminary examination must be taken before entering a seventh semester of full time enrollment in the Ph.D. program.

Preliminary Examination

Each student must pass a preliminary examination consisting of a written and an oral component. The preliminary examination is required by the Graduate School. A student and his/her advisory committee can choose from two approaches to the preliminary examination: either a three-hour written examination followed by an oral examination, or preparation of a dissertation proposal with the oral examination a defense of that proposal. In either case, a student must attempt the preliminary examination before entering a seventh semester of full-time enrollment in the Ph.D. program unless approval for extension is given by the co-chairs of the Graduate Program Committee. The determination of whether a student fails or passes the preliminary examination rests solely with the student’s advisory committee.

Under the written examination approach, students complete an examination covering material relevant to the student’s declared fields of study. The oral part of the exam covers all of the student’s coursework and material that the student’s advisory committee deems relevant for a Ph.D. candidate.

The preliminary examination proceeds as follows:

1. The written preliminary examination is designed by the student’s advisory committee, which may enlist the help of other faculty in preparing and grading individual questions.

2. A successful attempt at passing the written examination is followed within two months by the oral examination. The oral examination must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to taking the examination and a card must be obtained for recording the grade on the day of the exam. The results of the oral examination (pass or fail) are recorded with the Graduate School by filing the card upon completion of the oral examination.

3. If a student is unsuccessful with the written examination, it is considered a failure of the preliminary examination and is recorded with the Graduate School. A failure on the written examination is recorded by the chair of the student’s advisory committee, who writes a letter to the student, with copies to the Dean of the Graduate School and the Graduate Program Director, indicating that the student has failed the written portion of the examination, which constitutes failure of the preliminary examination.

Under the dissertation proposal approach, the written component consists of a preliminary investigation of a certain field of research. The proposal should contain evidence that the student has a thorough and broad understanding of the field of investigation, evidence of sufficient innovations within this field of investigation to constitute at least one paper, and an outline of a research agenda beyond the proposed innovations leading to the completion of a dissertation. The proposal should be accompanied by a bibliography of the field of investigation.

1. The student must submit a draft of the written dissertation research proposal to his/her advisor and the designated readers at least six weeks prior to the proposed date of the oral examination. The student is required to have at least one meeting with his/her advisor and the designated readers regarding the dissertation research proposal prior to the submission of the proposal to the advisory committee as a whole. If necessary, the student will have an opportunity to modify his/her proposal to respond to remarks from his/her advisor and designated readers.

2. The student has to submit the final version of the written dissertation research proposal to all members of his/her advisory committee at least two weeks prior to the defense date. The oral examination must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to taking the examination and a card obtained for recording the grade on the day of the exam. Results of the oral examination (pass or fail) are recorded with the Graduate School by filing the card upon completion of the oral examination.

If a student fails the first attempt of the preliminary examination, the student’s Department Head may grant a second attempt. If a second attempt is granted, the preliminary examination process must be redone between fifteen weeks and six months after the first attempt. A maximum of two attempts to pass the preliminary examination will be allowed. There will be no opportunity to repeat the preliminary examination process after two attempts.

Progress Reports

Progress reports are submitted twice annually to the Graduate Director. Reports are reviewed and signed by the chair of the student’s advisory committee or temporary advisor. For students with assistantship financial support, the progress reports may be used to help determine the student’s stipend level for the following year. The progress reports will be filed with the student’s permanent record and may be reviewed or copied by the student upon request.

Graduate Seminar

Students are encouraged to participate actively in the research seminars within the department. All master’s and Ph.D. students writing a thesis or dissertation are expected to present a seminar on their research proposal or results. In order to schedule a final thesis or dissertation defense, the student may need to complete a short form, which is signed by the chair of his/her advisory committee, indicating that the seminar was given. A copy of the form may be obtained from the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Ph.D. Examinations

In addition to coursework, Ph.D. students are required to pass three examinations: (1) a written qualifying examination, (2) a written and oral preliminary examination, and (3) a final oral dissertation defense.

• Students are required to take the written qualifying examination during the summer after their first year in the program. Exceptions, while unusual, may be obtained on an individual basis. To be considered for an exception, a student must petition the AAEC Graduate Program Director in writing as early as possible, and not later than four weeks prior to the examination date. Students who fail to take the written qualifying examination without the required permission will be considered to fail, unless there are extraordinary extenuating circumstances.
• Each student must pass a preliminary examination consisting of a written and an oral component. The preliminary examination is required by the Graduate School. A student and his/her advisory committee can choose from two approaches to the preliminary examination: either a three-hour written examination followed by an oral examination, or preparation of a dissertation proposal with the oral examination a defense of that proposal. In either case, a student must attempt the preliminary examination before entering a seventh semester of full-time enrollment in the Ph.D. program unless approval for extension is given by the co-chairs of the graduate program committee. The determination of whether a student fails or passes the preliminary examination rests solely with the student’s advisory committee.
• The final oral examination is a defense of the student’s dissertation. The Graduate School requires that the final oral exam be scheduled at least six months after the student has successfully passed the preliminary examination.

Exit Interview

At the completion of their degree, students are also expected to provide the Graduate Program Coordinator with their forwarding address, date of degree, title of thesis or dissertation, and position of employment or further educational plans.

Virginia Tech alumna advocates for women's advancement in data science >> Ewa Kleczyk Ph.D. ’08 profile

Kiseok Shin, Ph.D. student, presents on 'shifts in trade in top soybean import countries' at a Metrics Mixer.   These mixers bring our graduate students and faculty together to discuss data analytics and econometric methods with an emphasis on the “analysis” of their research projects.

EVENTS: SEMINAR SERIES

Graduate school resources.

• Application deadlines
• Graduate School Student Forms

Department Forms and Resources

Inclusion and diversity resources.

Susan Chen, Ph.D. Graduate Program Director

Amy Guerin Graduate Program Professional Coordinator [email protected]

Follow @VTAgEcon

Job Placements: MS & PhD in Applied Economics

Graduate students of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management are actively recruited by U.S. and foreign universities for academic positions. They also hold high-profile positions in state and federal government agencies, international agencies, such as the World Bank and the United Nations, and at leading companies in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Recent PhD Job Placements

Recent ms job placements, mps careers, student spotlight, maulik jagnani.

Bombay, India

Ph.D., International and Development Economics with a focus on behavioral economics and applied econometrics

IFMR Centre for Micro Finance/MIT Poverty Action Lab (2012-2014)

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• MSc Applied Economics

15 April 2024

02 september 2024, 31 august 2024, master's programs, find out more here.

Gain a strong grounding in advanced economics, with a focus on the application of economic theory and policy analysis in contemporary real-world settings.

Closely related to our MSc Economics course , MSc Applied Economics takes a more practical approach to the subject to prepare you for a range of professional roles in the field of economics.

You'll receive rigorous training in all the main aspects of economics – such as microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics – with a focus on their application to contemporary economic challenges and issues.

Alongside the study of economic theory, you can select from a range of supplementary topics to tailor the course to your personal interests and career aspirations. These may include:

• behavioural economics and finance
• environmental and natural resource economics
• economics of politics
• macroeconomic policy and institutions
• applied financial economics
• economics of banking and financial institutions
• financial markets and investment banking
• machine learning applications in economics and finance

If you want to specialise in finance or banking, you may be more suited to our MSc Applied Economics with Banking and Financial Markets course . MSc project The course culminates with a project, in the form of two policy briefs or a traditional dissertation. Both options give you the opportunity to apply your newly acquired knowledge to a specific economic area or debate that interests you or is relevant to your career aspirations.

Policy briefs The policy briefs allow you to communicate the practical implications of a real-world piece of policy, or your own research into a challenge or issue, to an audience of private and public sector practitioners. You will conduct appropriate research and data analysis (if necessary), before presenting your findings as a written report.

Dissertation You can choose to do a traditional dissertation. This enables you to use sophisticated economic theories in a piece of applied research work. Use specialist facilities You’ll have access to some of the latest industry-standard statistical, mathematical and econometric software in our computer labs, including EViews, Stata, Matlab and Python.

Access to top-tier international databases will allow you to access up-to-the-minute data on real-world trends to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

• understand and apply microeconomic and macroeconomic theories to a wide range of economic scenarios
• apply theories and statistical tools to analyse, visualise and conceptualise economic data
• use mathematical, statistical and econometric methods to carry out quantitative analyses of applied economics problems
• conduct applied research in both private and public contexts.

We limit student numbers on this course to ensure a collegiate atmosphere and a high degree of interaction between students and lecturers.

Graduate prospects This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical abilities required to work in various careers within economics. These include banking, consulting, governmental organisations and research institutions. It also provides suitable preparation for doctoral study and future roles in academia.

Common graduate roles in applied economics include:

• applied economist
• civil servant
• financial analyst
• investment banker
• risk analyst

Recent graduates have gone on to work in a number of different roles across the world in organisations such as:

• Royal Bank of Scotland
• JP Morgan Chase &Co.
• HMRC and other government institutions both in the UK and overseas

Others have chosen to continue their careers in academia.

Compare all our economics master’s courses  

More Information

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Claverton Down

BA2 7AY Bath , United Kingdom

• Applied Economics
• Master in Applied Economics
• University of Bath

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Program Code: 315*/315B CIP Code: 52.0601

General Education Requirements (44 Hours)

• General Education Requirements    
• ECO 2030    and ECO 2040    (6 hours) count towards the General Education Liberal Studies Experience requirement
• A foreign language course at the 1050/1060 level counts as 3 hours of the General Education Liberal Studies Experience requirement
• MAT 1035    must be taken to meet the Quantitative Literacy requirement (1 hour of ECO 2100    will meet the other hour)

Language Requirements (3 Hours)

Students are required to demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in a language other than English. Intermediate-level proficiency is demonstrated by successful completion of a 4th-semester language course in one of the following:

• Intermediate Language Course II   * or
• Combined Intermediate Language Course   * or
• Higher level language courses     (A higher-level language course that requires one of the above listed courses as a prerequisite may also be used to fulfill the language requirement.)

Note: Beginning language course I & II or beginning combination language course and intermediate language course I are prerequisites for *intermediate level II course. Placement tests are designed for placement purposes only and a score on this test alone is not sufficient to demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency.

Language courses 1050 or 1060 may be used in General Education Liberal Studies Experience.

Major Requirements (39 Hours)

Major GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation. Major GPA calculation will include all courses taken as part of Foundation Courses, Capstone/Applied Research Course, Required Courses and Economics Electives. A minimum of 18 semester hours of courses taken to fulfill major requirements must be courses offered by Appalachian. No more than 46 semester hours of Economics courses may be counted toward the B.A. Degree. Common prerequisites for 3000/4000 level economics courses are 54 hours to take any 3000 level economics course, 84 hours and a minimum grade of “C” in a WID course to take any 4000 level economics course.

Foundation Courses (18 Hours)

• ECO 2030 - Principles of Microeconomics (3) [GenEd: SS]
• ECO 2040 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3) [GenEd: SS]
• ECO 2100 - Business and Economic Statistics I (3)
• ECO 3010 - Intermediate Microeconomics (3)
• ECO 3020 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (3)
• ENG 3100 - Business Writing (3) [WID] [WID]

Capstone/Applied Research Course (3 Hours)

• ECO 4810 - Seminar in Economics (3) [CAP] [CAP]

Required Courses (12 Hours)

• ECO 2200 - Business and Economic Statistics II (3)
• ECO 2620 - Environmental and Resource Economics (3) [GenEd: SS]
• ECO 4621 - Environmental Economics and Policy (3)
• ECO 4660 - Benefit-Cost Analysis (3)

Economics Electives

6 hours Economics courses from the following:

• ECO 3550 - Public Finance and Taxation (3)
• ECO 3610 - Economics of Health Care (3)
• ECO 3680 - Experimental and Behavioral Economics (3)
• ECO 4720 - Applied Econometrics (3)
• ECO 3800 - Urban and Regional Economics (3)

Required Minor (12-21 Hours)

• A minimum of nine semester hours of courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be courses offered by Appalachian State University.

Electives (23-32 Hours)

Taken to total 120 hours for the degree

Total Required (120 Hours)

120 - 44 sh Gen Ed requirements PLUS 39 sh major/foreign language requirements (minus 6 sh of ECO 2030, ECO 2040, 1 sh of ECO 2100 and 3 sh of a foreign language course at the 1050 level already counted in Gen Ed) PLUS 12-21 sh minor and 23-32 sh electives.