Ph.D. Program in Economics

The Ph.D. Program in Economics emphasizes analytical and quantitative skills and exposes students to a broad range of contemporary policy issues to prepare them for careers in academic, business, or government careers. In their first two semesters of study, students receive rigorous training in three core areas: microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

After completing the core sequences, students choose three fields of specialization for intensive study. For most students, work on the dissertation begins in the third year and occupies them through the fourth or fifth year of residence.

Core Courses

The core courses form an integrated sequence of courses that develop the theoretical and quantitative tools students will build on later in their careers. These courses include two semesters of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics.

An undergraduate major in economics is not a requirement, but students are expected to have taken some economics courses, including at least intermediate theory courses. Students should also have a solid background in mathematics. The recommended math courses are calculus, linear algebra, and mathematical statistics, but more math is generally considered an advantage. A master's degree is not required for admission to the Ph.D. program, nor for completing the Ph.D. degree.

Field Courses

Workshops

Beginning in the third year and extending through the fifth year of residence, students participate in departmental workshops. Workshops are commonly offered in theory, macro, money, international, applied micro, and econometrics. The workshops are designed to acquaint students with research methodology and to provide opportunities for them to present their own research.

Department Qualifying Exams

Students must pass qualifying examinations in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics following completion of the core sequences. The exams are given in late May and July. Students must also pass examinations in one field of specialization following completion of the appropriate field sequences. The field exams are given in January and May. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for additional requirements by the Office of Graduate Studies for the Ph.D. degree. You may find this in the Graduate Handbook on the web site http://ogs.tamu.edu

Dissertation

Students normally begin research on their dissertations in their third year. The dissertation is intended as a demonstration of the student's ability to perform original research.

Sample Four Year Program

Teaching & Research

In their first and second years of Ph.D. study, students receiving financial support are normally assigned as research assistants to faculty members to aid them in teaching and research activities.
In their third and fourth years, students may become teaching assistants and have the opportunity to instruct undergraduates at Texas A&M. Both types of assistantships are viewed as integral parts of the educational process, preparing students for careers in teaching and research.

Funding Opportunities

Bradley Fellows Program

The Bradley Fellows Program supports two outstanding 4th year Ph.D. students working on their dissertation research with a monthly stipend for 12 months. All third year Ph.D. students are encouraged to apply in the spring semester of their third year of study. The application will require submission of a cover letter, vita, research proposal along with a nomination letter from the student’s advisor. Applications are reviewed by a committee of faculty. This fellowship carries a waiver of out-of-state tuition for the recipient during the period of the award. The deadline for submission is March 31.

PERC Summer Fellowship

PERC awards two to three fellowships to support outstanding 2nd year Ph.D. students doing research in the summer. Recipients are expected to spend two summer months on a project, produce a working paper and present a seminar. Recipients must be enrolled for at least one summer term. Students are required to submit a cover letter and brief research proposal. The deadline for submission is March 31.

Gail Frey Monson Memorial Scholarship

The Monson Memorial Scholarship provides a one time stipend (typically $500) to a fourth-year female Ph.D. student in the Department of Economics. Applicants must be full time graduate students in good standing in the Department of Economics, have been admitted to Ph.D. candidacy, and demonstrate good citizenship in the department. Applicants must submit the following materials to the Scholarship Committee: (a) a cover letter, (b) a copy of her vita, (c) a copy of her dissertation proposal, and (d) a letter from her main advisor concerning student’s eligibility and qualification for the award. Letters from other members of the student's advisory committee are not required, but are encouraged. Deadline to apply is April 15.

S. Charles Maurice Graduate Fellowship in Economics

This fellowship is established by a generous gift from Niccie L. McKay, wife of late Professor S. Charles Maurice. This scholarship (typically $2,500) is for a 4th year Ph.D. student in Economics. Submit a letter of nomination from the chair of the advisory committee, papers and other supporting materials by April 15.

Korean Economics Alumni Merit Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the members of the Korean Economics Alumni Association and offers a lump sum payment of $1,000, and if the recipient is an out-of-state student, he/she will also receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition. It will be awarded in August to a second year student who has no funding from the department and has passed all qualifying exams.

Joan Shin Merit Scholarship

This scholarship offers a lump sum of $1,000, and if the recipient is an out-of-state student, he/she will also receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition. It will be awarded in August to a third or fourth year Ph.D. student in economics who show exceptional promise for research and are not otherwise funded by the department or any other public sources. Applicants must submit a letter by August 15.

Kihoon Lee Scholarship

This scholarship offers a lump sum of $1,000 to one or more new Ph.D. students who have no funding from the department or any other public sources. If the recipient is an out-of-state student, he/she will also receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition.