Ph.D. Program
The Arizona State University Ph.D. program in Economics is a full-time program intended to prepare students for teaching and research positions at four year institutions of higher education, as well research positions in public agencies or private business organizations. The Ph.D. program is relatively small in size with about 40 doctoral students in residence at any time. The low student-faculty ratio allows us to provide greater faculty attention and mentoring compared to larger programs. Students are involved in teaching, research, and seminar activities, becoming valued members of the department. Most of our Ph.D. students are supported through teaching and research assistantships for four years. Stipends are highly competitive with any graduate program in the country.
Our next entering class will be Fall 2010. Applications may be submitted starting September 9, 2009 and the application deadline is January 15, 2010.
For detailed information concerning the Ph.D. program in Economics see:
2009-10 Graduate Student Handbook
Economics Program of Study
The Ph.D. program is designed to provide rigorous training in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics. Additionally, students in our program are provided the opportunity to select a primary area of specialization for study. The current fields of specialization in economics:
- Macroeconomics
- Economic Theory
- Econometrics
- Financial Economics
- Environmental and Resource Economics
Admission Criteria
All applicants to the Ph.D. program in Economics must have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent. Each applicant must submit an application form, fee and other materials, including:
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Official University transcripts (both undergraduate and graduate)
- GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores required for all applicants whose first language is not English unless he/she has received a degree from a U.S. college or university.
Above materials should be submitted to the ASU Division of Graduate Studies Admissions; an application packet and list of guidelines are available from Graduate Admissions.
The Economics Department admissions policy weighs all of the above factors as well as performance in selected mathematics and economics courses. We have no absolute standards for any of the factors, but performance on each clearly should suggest academic potential that is far above those of the normal undergraduate student.
Recommended Background
Students need not have an undergraduate degree in economics to enter and successfully complete the Ph.D. program. As a general guide, an entering Ph.D. student should have a minimum of two years of calculus (including three calculus courses plus one course in advanced calculus and one course in differential equations), real analysis, mathematical analysis (proofs), linear algebra, two semesters of statistics and intermediate microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.
Financial Aid
ASU offers a full range of scholarships and student loans through the Division of Graduate Studies. In addition, the Department of Economics has teaching or research assistantships available on a competitive basis to qualified students in the Ph.D. program. These assistantships offer students the opportunity to work with faculty in their research and teaching activities, often allowing students to participate in original research and to gain recognition for their work through co-authorship of publications. Ph.D. students may receive as much as $19,000 for the academic year. Additional summer stipends are available for students who maintain satisfactory status. All assistantships include out-of-state tuition waivers and presently also cover in-state registration fees. Applicants who are interested in an assistantship should indicate their intention on their application forms. Satisfactory progress in the program may enable Ph.D. students to renew funding for three years beyond the initial year.
