COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

About the Program

The Ph.D. in Applied Economics is designed to prepare the student for university teaching and research as well as for positions as economists in business, government, and industry. The program emphasizes the development of advanced research and scholarship skills in applied economics areas, including applied econometrics, economic development, financial economics, industrial organization, international economics, and labor economics. The program has a strong track record of placing its graduates in desirable positions. 

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Those engaged in part-time study take 8 or fewer credits per term. Students should note that classes are scheduled both during the day and evening as scheduling demands. Students are expected to be available for classes when they are scheduled.

Interdisciplinary Study: Interdisciplinary tracks may be established with other departments.

Areas of Specialization: The Economics faculty focus their research in the major areas of applied econometrics, labor economics, macroeconomics, industrial organization and international trade.

Job Prospects: The program is dedicated to producing well-trained researchers to work in academic positions and research-oriented jobs in companies, think tanks, government and other institutions. 

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:  Non-matriculated students are permitted to take doctoral courses when granted an exception. Students may enroll in up to 9 credits with the permission of the Economics Graduate Director. Minimum undergraduate GPA requirements apply.

Financing Opportunities: The Economics Department has a limited number of Ph.D. assistantships that are awarded to exceptionally good candidates on a competitive basis. The assistantship requires 20 hours of service per week, which can include teaching and/or supervised research. An assistantship provides a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. 

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15

Applications received after the January 15 deadline will be considered, but will not receive priority for financial assistance.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Complete the supplemental program application and upload scanned copies of all supporting documents to your account, with these exceptions: 

• Scores for the GRE and TOEFL, if applicable, must be reported directly by ETS to institution code 2906. 
• Official electronic transcripts must be sent to econgrad@temple.edu or the originals mailed to:

Janice Vincent, Department Coordinator, Temple University College of Liberal Arts, Department of Economics. 210 Gladfelter Hall, 1115 W. Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6089

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Details on appropriate background are available from the department upon request. 

Master's Degree in the Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree is not required. 

Bachelor's Degree in the Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required. Details on appropriate disciplines are available from the department. 

Statement of Goals: Approximately 500 to 1,000 words include your specific interest in Temple's program, your research goals, your future career goals, and your academic and research achievements. 

Standardized Test Scores: 
GRE: Required. Scores are typically in the 65th to 99th percentile on the quantitative section and in the 50th to 99th percentile on the verbal section. 

TOEFL: 79 iBT or 550 PBT minimum 

Transfer Credit: A grade of "B" or better must have been earned in a peer graduate program course in order for the credit to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 9. 

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 39

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
ECON 8001	Microeconomic Analysis	3
ECON 8002	Macroeconomic Analysis	3
ECON 8003	Mathematics for Economics I	3
ECON 8005	Microeconomic Theory I	3
ECON 8007	Macroeconomic Theory I	3
ECON 8009	Econometrics I	3
ECON 8119	Econometrics II	3
ECON 8129	Time Series Econometrics	3
ECON 8139	Panel Data Econometrics	3
ECON 8149	Computational Methods in Economics	3
ECON 8159	Econometric Estimation of Structural Models	3
Research Courses 1		6
ECON 9994	Field Examination/Dissertation Proposal Research 2
ECON 9998	Dissertation Proposal Research 3
ECON 9999	Doctoral Thesis Research 4
Total Credit Hours		39

¹

Upon finishing coursework, the student enters the research stage, which involves studying economics literature and models, preparing a dissertation proposal, and writing a dissertation. This process is structured and monitored by the use of ECON 9994 Field Examination/Dissertation Proposal Research, ECON 9998 Dissertation Proposal Research, and ECON 9999 Doctoral Thesis Research.

²

ECON 9994 is designed for students who have finished all coursework and passed the theory prelims. Along with completing the third-year paper, they must choose a topic and start researching their dissertation proposal.

³

ECON 9998 is designed for students who have passed all theory and and their third-year paper. The students are expected to complete their dissertation proposal and submit it to the Graduate Affairs Committee for consideration.

⁴

ECON 9999 is designed for students who have an accepted dissertation proposal. Their research should be divided into several stages, each leading to a successful dissertation defense.

Advanced Standing: Graduate coursework taken at an accredited institution prior to matriculation at Temple may be accepted for advanced standing credit. Students may transfer up to 15 credits.

Contacts

Department Contacts: