Description of the Program

This section provides a brief sketch of the requirements for the Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. The Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisors work closely with graduate students to ensure that they meet the Department's specific degree requirements.

The time required to complete the Ph.D. program depends on a number of factors, including the student's preparation for and commitment to the course of studies. A well-prepared Ph.D. student should expect to complete the program in five years.

Summer Course in Mathematical Economics

A summer course in Mathematical Economics (Econ 600) is offered free of charge to all students who will enter the graduate program in the ensuing fall. This seminar is designed to supplement the student's mathematical background in preparation for first-year graduate work. The prerequisite for the course are three semesters of calculus and one semester of linear algebra. The course is quite intensive: the class meets for three weeks beginning in late July, five hours per day.  This course is not required but students are urged strongly to attend.

Summer Course in Probability and Statistics

A summer course in probability and statistics is offered free of charge to all students who will enter the graduate program in the ensuing fall.  This course is designed to give students a firm foundation in probability and statistics, which is required for the first year econometrics sequence.  This is an intensive course, meeting for 6 hours a day for 7 days in August; the course is scheduled so as not to conflict with Mathematical Economics (Econ 600).  Entering students with strong backgrounds may attempt to test out prior to the course.  Students who do not test out are required to attend the summer course, and will take a test at the end of the summer to assess their mastery of the material.  Students who do not pass either test will be urged to attend additional lectures on probability and statistics in the fall. 

First Year Course Work and Comprehensive Theory Examinations

Typically, students take three courses each semester during their first two years. In their first year most students take yearlong core courses in macroeconomics (ECON 601 and 602), microeconomics (ECON 603 and 604) and econometrics (ECON 623 and 624).

The Comprehensive Examinations in Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Theory are given in August and again in January. Usually, students first take this examination in the August following their first academic year.  Students have two chances to pass these exams and must pass both to remain in the Ph.D. program. 

Field Requirements

In their second year students must select a major field and a minor field for advanced study. A long list of alternatives is available: advanced macro, advanced micro, comparative economic systems and economies in transition, econometrics, economic development, economic history, economic modeling, environmental and natural resource economics, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics, political economy, public choice, and public economics. In addition, a student's advisor, in conjunction with the Director of Graduate Studies, may approve another field offered outside the Department of Economics. The courses offered by the Department in each field are listed below. In their second year students are also encouraged strongly to attend one or more of our graduate workshops described below.

Students complete the requirements for their major and minor fields during the summer after their second year and during their third year. Major field requirements are set by the individual fields. In some fields, students will write a significant third year paper; in some cases, the third year paper will eventually become part of a student's dissertation. In other fields, students will complete the major field requirements by passing a field examination. The minor field requirement will be satisfied by earning satisfactory grades in the field courses.

Third year students complete their course work by taking a course in economic history or the history of economic thought and a course chosen in conjunction with the faculty in their major field. Third year students join a workshop appropriate to their research interests. These workshops involve regular, intensive interaction among faculty and students and are designed to help students identify research topics and develop research and writing skills.

Dissertation

In spring of the fourth year, students present a written dissertation proposal and defend it before a committee of three faculty members. Students continue participating in workshops and working on their dissertation during the fourth year.

The doctoral dissertation should be completed in the fifth year and be defended before a committee of five faculty members.

Please select the topic of interest below:

FAQ | Inquiries | Admissions | Financial Aid | Job Placement | Minority Students | Economics Graduate Student Association | Computer Facilities | The Masters Program | Graduate Courses in Economics | Graduate Workshops | Graduate Program handbook | International Applicants