The M.A. and Ph.D. are full-time day programs. Entering M.A. and
Ph.D. students are expected to have a basic knowledge of calculus
(differential and integral) and linear algebra, which are used in the
basic microeconomics and statistics courses. Courses 16:220:500, 501,
502, 504, 505, 506, and 507 are prerequisites for each elective field
course.
The M.A. program offers students two options, one
with a master's essay and one without. Under the first plan, students
take 30 hours of coursework and complete a master's essay. The oral
examination in defense of the essay, which serves as the comprehensive
examination for the master's degree, includes tests on economic theory
and quantitative methods. Students who complete 30 credits and pass the
theory portions of the Ph.D. qualifying examination can earn the M.A.
degree without writing a master's essay. Students in the M.A. program
are required to take two semester courses in microeconomic theory and
macroeconomic theory, one course in statistical methods, and two
courses in econometrics.
The Ph.D. program consists of
coursework, qualifying examinations, and the dissertation. The Ph.D.
requires 48 credits of coursework (16 courses). Because students are
not permitted to take more than four courses a semester, coursework for
the Ph.D. requires at least two academic years to complete. Graduate
and teaching assistants normally are not permitted to take more than
three courses a semester. The master of philosophy degree is available to
doctoral candidates.
Ph.D. students take one course in
mathematical methods, two courses in microeconomic theory, two courses
in macroeconomic theory, 6 credits in statistical methods and
econometrics, one course in economic history, and one course in either
applied microeconometrics or macroeconometrics. The balance of the
course of study is determined by each student's requirements. To ensure
breadth of coverage, each Ph.D. student is required to take at least
two courses in two elective fields offered in the program.
There
are nine elective fields: economic theory, econometrics, economic
history, monetary theory, public finance, development economics and
economic systems, international economics, labor and human resources,
and industrial organization.
The first part of the Ph.D.
qualifying examination consists of written tests in
microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory. Students are expected to
take these written tests after one year of coursework. The second part
of the qualifying examination requires successful completion of two
elective fields and must be fulfilled after passing the
microeconomic and macroecomic theory examinations. Any
student who fails any written examination must retake the
test(s) at the next examination sitting.
Doctoral
students also are required to complete a second-year research paper
over the summer of their second year and write a dissertation proposal
in the summer of their third year. The dissertation, which is written
under the supervision of a faculty committee, must be defended in a
final examination before the student's committee.