Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics

The Ph.D. program in Economics at Brown trains students in economic theory and the tools of economic analysis. Through course work, participation in seminars, and supervised research students are taught to conduct theoretical and empirical research at the highest level. The Ph.D. degree usually requires two years of course work, followed by supervised research and the completion of a doctoral dissertation. The first year involves core courses in microeconomics (Economics 2050, 2060), macroeconomics (Economics 2070, 2080), econometrics (Economics 2030, 2040), and two additional courses, one in mathematics (Economics 2010) and one in applied economics analysis (Economics 2020). Students take written core examinations in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics at the end of the first year. Starting in the second year, each student chooses two fields of specialization, and takes an oral field exam. Each field comprises two advanced courses within an area. Beyond the fields, the student takes three additional advanced courses, for a total of seven. The rest of pre-dissertation requirements include a research paper turned in at the end of the third year and two successful seminar presentations. The detailed description of all requirements, along with guidelines for the student, can be found in The Handbook of the Graduate Program. The Handbook of the Graduate Program. The culmination of the Ph.D. program is the dissertation, which embodies the results of the student's original research. Work on the dissertation usually takes two-three years after completion of course work. Students working on dissertations participate actively in research workshops. After a faculty committee has approved the dissertation, the student takes a final oral examination on the subject of the dissertation. The work in the Ph.D. program is demanding and the standards of performance are high. The Department's reputation for providing superb training has enabled its graduates to compile an excellent placement record. Some of the institutions at which recent graduates have obtained positions include major research universities (Chicago, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Minnesota, New York University, Penn State, University College London, University of British Columbia, University of Pittsburgh, University of Toronto, University of Virginia), prestigious liberal arts colleges (Williams), government and international agencies (International Monetary Fund, Federal Trade Commission, World Bank, Congressional Budget Office, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, US Census Bureau), and private industrial, consulting, and research firms. Brown graduates have an outstanding record of research accomplishments and publications. The Department offers a one-year MA program. Applicants to the MA program should apply to the PhD program, and are evaluated using the same criteria as applicants to the PhD program. Students in the MA program are not funded by Brown. However, those MA students who take the core examination and pass it will continue in the PhD program and receive funding. In addition, PhD students can earn the MA on the way to the PhD or can receive the MA if they choose not to complete the PhD program. To receive the MA degree in economics at Brown University, students are required to obtain a passing grade in the following eight first-year courses: EC2010, EC2020, EC2030, EC2040, EC2050, EC2060, EC2070, and EC2080. Substitutions for these courses are possible with permission from a Faculty Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.