Economics PhD
Major: Economics
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0 (post-bachelor's) or 60.0 (post-master's)
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. To apply and for application information, please check online at the LeBow PhD Admissions webpage. Questions should be addressed to lebowphd@drexel.edu. For more information please contact our Graduate Student Services department at lebowgradenroll@drexel.edu.
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
| Core Courses * | ||
| ECON 902 | Mathematical Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 910 | Advanced Microeconomics I | 3.0 |
| ECON 911 | Advanced Microeconomics II | 3.0 |
| ECON 920 | Advanced Macroeconomics I | 3.0 |
| ECON 921 | Advanced Macroeconomics II | 3.0 |
| ECON 940 | Econometrics I | 3.0 |
| ECON 941 | Econometrics II ** | 3.0 |
| ECON 942 | Applied Microeconometrics | 3.0 |
| ECON 980 | Game Theory | 3.0 |
| STAT 931 | Statistics for Economics | 3.0 |
| Fields of Specialization | 18.0 | |
| Student are required to complete the coursework for at least two of the following fields/sequences: | ||
| Industrial Organization | ||
| Industrial Organization I | ||
| Industrial Organization II | ||
| Industrial Organization Seminar | ||
| International Trade | ||
| International Trade | ||
| Empirical International Trade | ||
| International Trade Seminar | ||
| Open Economy Macroeconomics | ||
| Macroeconomic Dynamics | ||
| Open Economy Macroeconomics | ||
| Open Economy Macro Seminar | ||
| ECON 998 | Dissertation Research in Economics | 42.0 |
| Total Credits | 90.0 | |
- *
First Year Examination: After the completion of the core coursework, students are examined on their competence in the core material and their readiness to proceed.
- **
Taken in the second year.
Sample Plan of Study - Macroeconomics
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ECON 902 | Mathematical Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 980 | Game Theory | 3.0 |
| STAT 931 | Statistics for Economics | 3.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 910 | Advanced Microeconomics I | 3.0 |
| ECON 920 | Advanced Macroeconomics I | 3.0 |
| ECON 940 | Econometrics I | 3.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 911 | Advanced Microeconomics II | 3.0 |
| ECON 921 | Advanced Macroeconomics II | 3.0 |
| ECON 942 | Applied Microeconometrics | 3.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 941 | Econometrics II | 3.0 |
| ECON 950 | Industrial Organization I | 3.0 |
| ECON 960 | International Trade | 3.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 951 | Industrial Organization II | 3.0 |
| ECON 961 | Empirical International Trade | 3.0 |
| Elective/Exemption | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 959 | Industrial Organization Seminar | 3.0 |
| ECON 969 | International Trade Seminar | 3.0 |
| Elective/Exemption | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 998 | Dissertation Research in Economics | 9.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 998 | Dissertation Research in Economics | 9.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 998 | Dissertation Research in Economics | 9.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| ECON 998 | Dissertation Research in Economics | 9.0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 998 | Dissertation Research in Economics | 6.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
Facilities
Gerri C. LeBow Hall, home to the LeBow College of Business, is a state-of-the-art building located at the heart of Drexel’s University City Campus. The building unites the school’s various constituencies around an atrium surrounded by classrooms, lecture halls, student lounges, events spaces and offices. The upper floors contain faculty offices, seminar rooms and group study rooms, with the top floor housing the dean’s suite, a boardroom and a conference suite that opens to east- and west-facing terraces.
Please visit the LeBow College of Business web page, the Behavioral Lab web page and the Finance Trading Lab web page to learn more about Gerri C. LeBow Hall.