Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
Faculty
Professors: Daniel G. Arce, Kurt J. Beron, Brian J. L. Berry (Dean), Lloyd J. Dumas, Catherine Eckel, Donald A. Hicks, James Murdoch, Todd Sandler, Barry J. Seldon, Wim P.M. Vijverberg
Associate Professors: Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Nathan Berg, Susan Williams McElroy, Kevin Siqueria
Assistant Professors: Chetan Dave, Roxanne Ezzet-Lofstrom, Xiu (Sherry) Li, Magnus Lofstrom, Isaac McFarlin
Objectives
The Ph.D. Program in Economics prepares students for careers in academics as well as for research-oriented positions in the private and public sectors. It provides a cutting-edge education in micro- and macroeconomic theories, the development of a rigorous toolkit of mathematical and econometric techniques, and extensive exposure to various research areas in economics. This education enables students to think critically about economic problems and to contribute to the knowledge base of the disciple.
Facilities
Students have access to the computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University’s Computing Center. The School has two computing laboratories which have over 30 computers that are network linked and equipped with major social science software packages, including E-Views, R, Rats, SPSS and STATA. A computerized geographic information system, the Lexis Nexis Database, and WestLaw are also available for student use. The University’s Computing Center provides personal computers and UNIX Workstations. Many important data and reference materials are also available online via the library’s and school’s memberships in numerous organizations.
Admission Requirements
The University’s general admission requirements are discussed here.
Applicants will be judged and evaluated by the existing admission standards as set forth by the University in its Graduate Catalog. These standards include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent, fluency in written and spoken English, a grade average of 3.25 or better in upper-division and graduate course work in economics and related courses, submission of official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: GRE scores in the verbal and quantitative components of the exams should total to at least 1200. Students may also wish to consider submitting their score from the writing component of the GRE test as additional evidence of their writing skills.
Standardized tests scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission. Given the demands that will be placed on the student in his/her study of economics, a strong background in calculus, linear algebra, and mathematical statistics is highly desirable.
Students should submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining the applicant’s background, education, and personal objectives.
Prerequisites
Students who lack the necessary background to start the program are advised to take courses at the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences to strengthen their preparation, but they will not receive credit towards their Ph.D. program. The following courses may be used to gain the prerequisite knowledge (i) ECO 3310 Intermediate Microeconomics; (ii) ECO 3311 Intermediate Macroeconomics; (iii) ECO 4351 Mathematical Economics; (iv) POEC 5316 Advanced Regression Analysis or ECO 4355 Econometrics; (v) POEC 5313 Basic and Inferential Statistics or equivalent. It is also necessary to have had undergraduate courses in calculus and matrix or linear algebra. Additional math courses, such as differential equations, mathematical statistics and real analysis, are useful.
Transfer Policies
Students who have previous graduate work pertinent to the Ph.D. Program in Economics may be given transfer credit. Up to 45 hours of credit hours may be transferred, but students must fulfill the requirements outlined in the next section at the University of Texas at Dallas, and they must be students in residence while doing so. Students desiring to transfer graduate courses thought to be equivalent to core courses may be required to demonstrate competency through examination. The award of such transfer credit must be consistent with the University’s “Transfer of Credit” policy.
Degree Requirements
The University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.
Students seeking the Ph.D. in Economics must (i) complete core courses with an average GPA of 3.00; (ii) pass comprehensive exams in micro- and macroeconomic theory and in econometrics (although the econometrics exam will be waived for students who complete each of the required econometrics courses with a grade of A); (iii) be certified in two research areas within the science of Economics; and (iv) submit an approved dissertation. The following paragraphs elaborate on these requirements.
Students are required to complete the following core courses:
ECO 5301 Microeconomics Theory I
ECO 6307 Microeconomics Theory II
ECO 5302 Macroeconomics Theory I
ECO 6308 Macroeconomics Theory II
ECO 5309 Mathematical Economics
ECO 6109 Econometrics I Lab
ECO 6311 Statistics for Econometrics
ECO 6309 Econometrics I
ECO 6310 Econometrics II
In addition, they are required to register for the following courses at the appropriate stages of their study:
ECO 7V01 Survey/Research Seminar
ECO 8V01 Dissertation Seminar
In order to assure that the student progresses satisfactorily, each student is required to consult with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)of Economics Programs prior to registration in every semester.
For research area certification, the student must select the two research areas, preferably during the second year of study, and advise the (DGS) of the selection. The DGS will, in conjunction with the Economics Curriculum Committee, advise the student regarding the appropriate certification requirements. The general guidelines for certification consist of (i) making a grade of B or better in three courses within each area; (ii) writing a major literature survey on a topic in one area; and (iii) writing an acceptable research paper in one area.
The submission of an approved dissertation will complete the course of study for the Ph.D. degree in Economics. The procedure for approval of the dissertation is outlined in the UTD Graduate Catalog. See Graduate Registration Requirements.
The program highlights seven research areas. (i) Econometric and Spatial Analysis, (ii) Experimental and Behavioral Economics, (iii) Financial Economics, (iv) Industrial Organization, (v) International Development, (vi) Labor Economics, and (vii) Public Economics. The definition of these areas offers a guideline. Students may wish to request a customized research area definition that better suits their research objectives. Such requests will be evaluated by the DGS in conjunction with the Economics Curriculum Committee.
- Updated: September 5, 2007
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