Economics

Major: Economics
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 60.0 (Post-Master's degree) or 90.0 (Post-Bachelor's degree)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.0603
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3011

About the Program

Drexel's PhD program in Economics prepares economists for academic research as well as careers in government or industry by providing a solid background in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and analytical tools at the advanced level. Each year a relatively small number of PhD students are accepted into the program, which allows for a collegial environment where the PhD students interact with faculty on a daily basis. Requirements for the MS in Economics program are satisfied if the coursework associated with the first and second years of the PhD program are complete.

The PhD program in Economics offers three fields of study:

• Industrial Organization
• International Trade
• Open Economy Macroeconomics

The PhD program in Economics is also particularly strong in applied microeconometrics.  

Students typically complete their coursework in two years and the PhD degree in five. Students work as research and teaching assistants under the supervision of a faculty member. After their second year, students can teach independently.

Additional Information

More information can be found online at the PhD program in Economics webpage, as well as in the LeBow College of Business LeBow PhD Handbook.

To apply and for application information, please check online at the LeBow PhD Admissions webpage. 

Questions should be addressed to lebowphd@drexel.edu. 

Admission Requirements

The LeBow College of Business: School of Economics seeks applicants with exceptional ability and motivation. For the PhD, the School places emphasis on applicants who can provide evidence of strong potential in a research-oriented program. In general, prior training at either the undergraduate or graduate level in economics and mathematics is strongly encouraged. All courses in the program expect a preparation of at least principles of economics and basic statistics. Students who lack some part of this preparation may be considered for admission conditional on their completing the appropriate undergraduate courses as non-matriculated students during the summer term before they begin the program in the fall.  

Admission is competitive and highly selective.

 In reviewing an applicant's credentials, the faculty will consider the following factors:

• Prior Academic Accomplishments: The faculty will examine all course work taken prior to application, paying particular attention to the specific courses that have been completed. Applicants should have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all undergraduate course work completed. They also should have attained a minimum 3.3 average for any graduate-level course work taken. The faculty generally expects applicants to demonstrate a substantially higher level of accomplishment than these minimum requirements. A master's degree is not a requirement.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Applicants are required to submit GRE scores. GRE scores are not accepted if they are more than five years old.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not already received a degree from a U.S. university must also submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• Personal Statement/Essay: Each applicant must submit a personal statement. The personal statement should explain the applicant's educational and personal experiences that have influenced the decision to pursue a PhD and should discuss the candidate's career plans and goals. The faculty are especially interested in learning about an applicant's prior research experience and the commitment to future research in the applicant's area of specialization.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted in support of the application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek recommendations from academics or other professionals who can assess the applicant's likelihood of success in a research-oriented PhD program.

Admission Procedures

The PhD Programs in Economics admits students each fall. To be considered for admission, the completed application must be received by the LeBow College of Business Office of Graduate Admissions no later than January 15th. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendation, as well as the application form and the personal statement, are received by Drexel University no later than January 15th.

Assistantships and Financial Aid

The LeBow College of Business strives to provide graduate assistantships to all entering PhD students. Each applicant to the PhD program is automatically considered for a graduate assistantship as well as for admission into the program. First-year graduate assistants are assigned to work with a faculty member on research activities. During the second and subsequent years, graduate assistants are generally assigned a combination of teaching and research responsibilities. Assistants receive a stipend and 27.0 credits of tuition remission per academic year. Doctoral students who are making satisfactory progress toward the degree can expect to be provided with an assistantship for at least four years.

Degree Requirements

The PhD in Economics program prepares economists for careers in research, teaching, business, and government. It is designed to provide students with not only a broad understanding of modern economics, but also the opportunity to conduct high quality research in a number of specific fields of study including industrial organization, international economics, and health economics.

In the second year of study, the PhD in Economics offers three fields of specialization: industrial organization, international trade, and open economy macroeconomics. Students complete courses in two of these fields of specialization.

Curriculum 

60.0 credits (Post-Master's degree)
90.0 credits (Post-Bachelor's degree)

• 27.0 credits of first year core courses
• 18.0 credits of economics field requirements
• 15.0 credits (minimum) of dissertation research
• 30.0 additional dissertation research credits for students without a Master's degree

Facilities

School of Economics Faculty

Emeritus Faculty