Before the beginning of the second year, qualifying examinations in microeconomics and macroeconomics are offered. In the second year, students must choose a major field and a minor field in which to specialize. The major field requires a significant term paper by the end of the second year. The total number of credits required for the Ph.D. in Economics is 54. They also register for thesis research each semester.
Additional requirements focus on students' progress on their dissertations.
Each student is expected to present a dissertation proposal in the appropriate workshop by the end of the third year. Finally, each student is expected to present a dissertation seminar in the appropriate workshop by the end of the fourth year. Students must satisfy their dissertation committees that they are working actively toward completing their dissertations within graduate school time limits. The Graduate Committee regularly reviews every student's progress in the Ph.D. Program. In the event that a student does not maintain satisfactory progress, the student's continued financial aid and enrollment in the program is at the discretion of the Graduate Committee.