The Ph.D. Program is designed for future researchers and educators who want to contribute to the development and application of knowledge in economics. After completing coursework in the fundamentals of economic theory and econometrics, students may choose specializations in the following fields: health economics, labor economics, industrial organization, applied macroeconomics, and applied econometrics. By emphasizing these complementary research areas, we provide students with the training necessary to understand complex and often intertwined economic and policy issues. They also learn cutting-edge econometric techniques that allow them to make important research contributions in their specializations.

In addition to multiple faculty with research interests in health, labor, industrial organization, and applied macroeconomics the program features experts who are accomplished in a variety of other fields in business and economics. This provides our Ph.D. candidates broad access to research topics within their chosen field, and the faculty resources needed to apply their knowledge to related disciplines.

Another important aspect of our Ph.D. program is its balanced approach to both research and teaching. All of our students serve as teaching assistants, and some of them have the opportunity to teach their own courses. At any given time, there are approximately 16 to 18 students in residence. As a result, classes are small and students have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty.

Through their participation in the program, our students have improved their abilities to analyze economic problems, enhanced their communication skills, and gained the requisite background and experience in their areas of interest to make sustained contributions. As a result, we have succeeded in placing them in positions consistent with their career goals.