All M.A. students must pass a written examination that stresses applications of core course material during their final semester of enrollment. A joint program offered in conjunction with the School of Law provides graduate students the opportunity to obtain an M.A. degree in economics and a J.D. degree in three years plus one summer session. Admission to both degree programs is required. Students must complete 82 semester hours in law and 18 semester hours in economics, inclusive of 9 hours of core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Doctor of Philosophy Degree The Ph.
D program has a strong quantitative orientation.
Students must complete 48 semester hours of approved course work, inclusive of 24 hours of core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, probability and statistics, and econometrics, as well as 18 semester hours of dissertation research. In addition, students must establish competency in at least two areas of specialization in economics. Although there is no specific foreign language or research skills requirement, students are expected to acquire whatever foreign language and research skills necessary to complete their course work and dissertation research. The Ph.D degree typically requires four to five years to complete, depending on preparation. D students must pass a written qualifying examination in economic theory no later than third year of enrollment.