Public Policy and Economics

Degree Requirements for the Public Policy & Economics PhD Program

Economics Specific Course and Exam Requirements

• Mathematics and Statistics courses: All students must pass ECON 600, 671, and 672 with a grade of at least a B (or pass a placement exam) in order to achieve candidacy in the PhD program.
   
• Core theory courses (microeconomics and macroeconomics): 
  • Students are required to take Microeconomic Theory (ECON 601, 602, 603, and 604) and Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 605 and 607).
• Major fields: Students in the joint doctoral program must pass a preliminary examination in one major field. Normal preparation for the prelim is a two-course sequence in that field.
  
  The current list of approved fields consists of:
  • Advanced Theory
  • Economic Development
  • Econometric Theory
  • Economic History
  • Finance
  • Industrial Organization
  • International
  • Labor
  • Monetary Theory
  • Natural Resources/Environment
  • Public Finance

Additional information regarding fields is available from the Economics Department.

Public Policy Specific Course Requirements

• Policy Institutions (1 course; 3 credits): students often take a 600 level Political Science course or petition to allow another course to count toward this requirement.
   
• Methods (1 course; 3 credits): students typically take ECON 675 or petition to allow another course to count toward this requirement. Note that the Econometrics field sequence will automatically meet this requirement.
   
• Substantive Policy Area (2 courses; 6 credits total): at least one of these courses must be taken outside the student's home social science department. Both courses must be approved by the PhD program director.
   
• Policy Seminar (4 semesters; 1 credit per semester): PUBPOL 810 meets biweekly, and students are required to enroll in this course during their first two years in the PhD program.

Additionally, all students must fulfill the Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS) requirement. Students typically take ECON 899 (or its equivalent) to satisfy this requirement.

 

Typical Plan for Public Policy & Economics Students

*Tracked by Economics. These courses will depend on the area of specialization and may vary somewhat from year to year.