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Program Overview

Summer 0

Year 1

  • Expectations

    • Pass the six core courses with a 3.0 minimum GPA.
    • Pass at least two of the core courses with a B+ or higher.
    • Students who do not meet the above requirements are switched to the M.A. track.
    • Enroll in two additional courses to bring the total number of first year course credits to 27 (Mathematics for Economists and each of the six core courses already counting for 3 credits each). English proficiency courses required by the Graduate School for international students (see the Requirements page for details) suffice to fulfill this requirement. Otherwise, students must enroll in ECON 380.11 (First Year Research Workshop) each semester in order to complete this requirement.

  • Funding

    For the majority of students, a fellowship is provided with no work obligation, though failing a class results in removal from the program with no future fellowship money.

Summer 1

  • Expectations for Ph.D. Track

    • Enroll in at least one of the following courses (late May through mid-July): Real Analysis for Economists or Vocational Skills for Empiricists.
    • Pass qualifying exams in all core courses where a B+ or higher was not obtained.  These exams will take place the last week of Summer Term II).
    • Students who have not shown competency in all core courses by the end of the summer are switched to the M.A. track.

  • Expectations for M.A. Track

    To finish the Master's degree, students must enroll in at least one of Real Analysis for Economists or Vocational Skills for Empiricists, starting in late May and running through mid-July. A Master's degree is then obtained the summer after the first year.

  • Funding

    For students on fellowship, an additional $2000 for students who have 1) maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in the core courses and 2) received a grade of B+ or better in at least two core courses (funding is for Ph.D. track only).

Year 2

    Must be on the Ph.D. track to enroll in the second year.

  • Expectations

    • Take at least 10 graded credits, with 6 credits recommended in the fall and 6 credits recommended in the spring.
    • Choose a course plan that leads to a well-defined field.
    • Enroll in both a lunch group and a workshop in the spring of the second year.
    • Pass relevant field exams (some field exams are offered in the second year).

  • Funding

    Students are funded either as teaching assistants (TA rates vary but are higher than those for GAs or graders), graduate assistants, (GA is a mix of research and teaching negotiated with the faculty member, $7000 a semester), or graders ($6450 a semester).

Summer 2

  • Expectations

    • Begin to form research agenda.
    • Enroll in continuation credit, CTN 1, if funded through the Departmental R.A. Program.

  • Funding

    Eligible to work as a departmenal research assistant ($4000). Alternatively, may teach in the summer.

Year 3

  • Expectations

    • Wrap up course work.
    • Enroll in both a lunch group and a workshop in both semesters.
    • Pass a field exam - students who do not pass a field exam by the end of their third year are automamatically switched to the M.A. track.
    • Form a supervisory committee by the end of the fall semester.
    • Pass prospectus defense by the end of the spring semester (and at least two months after forming the surpervisory committee).

  • Funding

    Students are funded either as TAs (rates vary), GAs ($7000 a semester), or graders ($6450 a semester).

Summer 3

  • Expectations

    • Work on dissertation.
    • Finish RCR requirements (6 hours) for a total of 12 hours.
    • Enroll in continuation credit, CTN 1, if funded through the Departmental Summer Dissertation Fellowship or Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship.

  • Funding

    Eligible for Departmental Summer Dissertation Fellowship ($4000) provided 1) successfully passed both field exams and prospectus and 2) applied for (and did not receive) the Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship ($4000). Alternatively, may teach in the summer.

Year 4

  • Expectations

    • Enroll in both a lunch group and a workshop in both semesters.
    • Work on dissertation.
    • If prospectus was not passed in the third year, must pass by the end of the fall semester to avoid being switched to the M.A. track.

  • Funding

    Students are funded either as TAs (rates vary), GAs ($7000 a semester), or graders ($6450 a semester), provided prospectus was passed.

Summer 4

  • Expectations

    • Complete job market paper.
    • Enroll in continuation credit, CTN 1, if funded through the Departmental Summer Dissertation Fellowship or Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship.

  • Funding

    Eligible for Departmental Summer Dissertation Fellowship ($4000) provided applied for (and did not receive) the Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship ($4000). Alternatively, may teach in the summer.

Year 5

  • Expectations

    • Enroll in both a lunch group and a workshop in both semesters.
    • Finish dissertation.
    • Go on the job market.

  • Funding

    Students are funded either as TAs (rates vary), GAs ($7000 a semester), or graders ($6450 a semester). No departmental funding after the 5th year. However, there may be opportunities to teach a summer course or work as an RA for someone with an outside grant.