This cooperative environment begins in the first year of study. The typical first-year program consists of four Core courses each semester. Specifically, in both semesters there are courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics. These are administered twice a year, in June and in August. Under normal circumstances a student is permitted to take the examinations twice, and must pass both by the end of the second year of study.
Study groups work together on courses and in preparing for Qualifying examinations.
This cooperative environment starts early and continues through the program. In the second year students normally take either three or four courses for credit each semester in major and minor subjects or related courses. To establish subjects for majors or minors, or to establish expertise in an area of study generally requires two semesters of a 700-level course sequence. Some subjects require more than two courses of work. Again, students are generally working together, rather than competing with each other.