PhD in Economics

The Department of Economics offers a PhD degree with programs of study in either political economy or traditional economic theory. The PhD program emphasizes international and economic policy perspectives. The program offers diverse theoretical approaches including feminist, neo-classical, and post-Keynesian and provides solid training in empirical methods which prepares graduates for teaching in colleges and universities, research positions in government departments or consulting firms, and policymaking.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The economics department offers two tracks in the PhD program: economics and political economy. Both have the same required tools of research courses, which are usually taken during the first two years and include:

• ECON-705 Mathematical Economics or ECON-721 Advanced Mathematical Economics
• ECON-723 and ECON-724 Econometrics
• ECON-604 Economic Thought
• ECON-607 or ECON-608 U.S. or European Economic History

The economics track requires:

• ECON-703 and ECON-713 Microeconomic Theory
• ECON-702 and ECON-712 Macroeconomic Theory
• Passing two comprehensive examinations in microeconomics and in macroeconomics.

The political economy track requires:

• ECON-703 and ECON-702 Microeconomics and Macroeconomic Theory
• ECON-511 and ECON-711 Political Economy
• Passing two comprehensive exams, in neoclassical and in heterodox theory.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
• 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate work;
• scores from the GRE General Aptitude test;
• two letters of recommendation;
• a well-written Statement of Purpose;
• TOEFL score of 600 paper / 250 computer for all international students whose first language is not English.

Contact information:

Department of Economics
American University
Roper Hall, 105
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016-8029
Email: econ@american.edu
Phone: 202-885-3770
www.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/econ/phd/phd.htm