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The University of Texas at Dallas
Graduate Admissions

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/eco/

Faculty

Professors: Daniel G. Arce M., Kurt J. Beron, Rachel Croson, Catherine Eckel, James Murdoch, Todd Sandler, Barry J. Seldon, Donggyu Sul
Associate Professors:, Nathan Berg, Susan Williams McElroy, Kevin Siqueira
Assistant Professors: Rodney Andrews, Xin (Sherry) Li

Mission

The mission of the Ph.D. in Economics is to provide a cutting-edge education in economic theory, the development of a rigorous toolkit of mathematical and econometric techniques, and in various research areas in economics. This education allows students to think critically about how to approach the analysis of economic problems and to contribute to the knowledge base of the discipline

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 three computing laboratories which have over 100 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. A score of at least 4.5 in analytical writing is considered desirable.

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) ECON 3310 Intermediate Microeconomics; (ii) ECON 3311 Intermediate Macroeconomics; (iii) ECON 4351 Mathematical Economics; (iv) EPPS 7316 Advanced Regression Analysis or ECON 4355 Econometrics; (v) EPPS 7313 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.

Degree Requirements

The University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.

Students seeking the Ph.D. in Economics must complete 75 graduate hours. In addition, they 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 an average grade of A- or better); (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:

ECON 6301 Microeconomics Theory I
ECON 7301 Microeconomics Theory II
ECON 7303 Microeconomics Theory III
ECON 6302 Macroeconomics Theory I
ECON 7302 Macroeconomics Theory II
ECON 6305 Mathematical Economics
ECON 6311 Statistics for Econometrics
ECON 6309 Econometrics I
ECON 7309 Econometrics II

In addition, they are required to register for the following courses at the appropriate stages of their study:
ECON 7V01 Survey/Research Seminar
ECON 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 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 U.T.Dallas Graduate Catalog.  

Last Updated: July 18, 2012