PhD Degree in Applied Economics
The PhD degree in the Applied Economics Graduate Program prepares students for research, teaching, and extension positions, and for research and administrative posts in public and private sector organizations. This rigorous program includes core coursework in economic theory, quantitative methods, and two fields of specialization selected from the following:
- Consumer Behavior and Household Economics
- Development and Trade Economics
- Health Economics
- Labor Economics
- Policy Analysis
- Production and Marketing Economics
- Resources and Environment Economics
Applicants for the PhD degree should have completed an MS degree in economics, agricultural economics, or closely related field. Prior training should include micro and macroeconomic theory at the master's level, calculus and linear algebra, and mathematical statistics. Students lacking background in economics or quantitative methods may be required to complete additional coursework before entering the program.
Degree Requirements for the PhD
The following degree requirements have been effective since July 2005. All students are required to complete a set of core courses in micro and macroeconomic theory and econometrics. They must also complete a welfare course and two additional "methods" courses.
Required Core Courses
Microeconomic Theory
- Econ 8001-2-3-4: Microeconomic Analysis, 8 credits, two-semester sequence
or
- Econ 8101-2-3-4: Microeconomic Theory, 8 credits, two-semester sequence
Macroeconomic Theory
- Econ 8105-6: Macroeconomic Theory, 4 credits, one semester
Econometrics
- ApEc 8211-12: Econometric Analysis, 8 credits, two-semester sequence
Welfare Economics
- ApEc 8203: Applied Welfare Economics and Public Policy, 3 credits, one semester
Applied Economic Methods - must take 2
- HRIR 8811: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods in HRIR, 4 credits
- Econ 8117-18: Non-cooperative Game Theory, 4 credits, one semester
- ApEc 8202: Math Optimization in Applied Economics, 3 credits
- ApEc 8205: Applied Game Theory, 3 credits
- ApEc 8206: Dynamic Optimization, 3 credits
PhD seminar
- ApEc 8902: Ph.D Seminar, 1 credit
All Ph.D students must include a "supporting field" or a "minor" program of 12 to 18 credits.
Courses in economic theory and applied econometrics are to be completed on the A-F grade basis. At least two-thirds of the credits included on any PhD degree program must be taken on the A-F grade basis. A minimum GPA of 3.0 for all program coursework is preferred.
Written preliminary examinations for the PhD degree include the minor or major examination in microeconomic theory (offered by the Department of Economics) and field examinations in two of the seven PhD fields (offered by the Applied Economics Graduate Program). Courses in the Applied Economics Graduate Program prepare students for these field exams. An approved minor in another graduate program (e.g., Economics or Statistics) can be substituted for one field exam.
After passing the written preliminary examinations, the student must take a preliminary oral examination. This exam can be on coursework, a thesis prospectus, or some combination of the two. It is administered by a committee of four people including three from the graduate faculty in the Applied Economics Graduate Program and one from the graduate faculty outside the Applied Economics Graduate Program. At the conclusion of the thesis research, a final oral examination is taken. The final oral exam consists of a public seminar (in which the candidate presents the thesis) and a closed meeting between the candidate and the appointed examining committee.
The expected time for completing the PhD degree is forty-five months for full-time students. | 
