Economics, Ph.D.

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

About the Program

The Ph.D. in 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: Students complete the degree program through classes offered after 5:30 p.m. The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

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, development economics, financial economics, industrial organization, international economics, and labor economics.

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
Spring: November 15

Applications received after the January 15 deadline will be considered, but will not receive priority for financial assistance. Spring admission is restricted to those students who have taken classes at Temple University in the Fall or who can pass the waiver exams. All other prospective students are advised to apply for Fall admission.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program to begin the application process and receive your TUid number.

Next, visit https://www.cla.temple.edu/interfolio/economics-phd to create or log in to your Interfolio account. 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:

      Linda Wyatt, Graduate Coordinator
      Temple University College of Liberal Arts
      Dept. of Economics
      1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 822 Ritter Hall Annex (004-00)
      Philadelphia, PA 19122-6091

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.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 53

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: 42

Required Courses:

Culminating Events:
Preliminary Examinations:
The purpose of the preliminary examinations is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge of current research. There are two theory exams, one each in microeconomics and in macroeconomics, and two field exams. The theory exams must be passed by the end of the second year, while the field exams must be completed within three terms of passing the last theory exam.

The subject areas of the field exams are chosen by the student, in consultation with the Graduate Director. To prepare for a field exam, the student must take one or two courses in the subject area. The number of required courses is specified by the Field Examination Committee. If a required course is not offered, it can be substituted by ECON 9183 Directed Study. Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their departmental advisor.

Members of the Economics Department write the questions for the preliminary examinations. The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated. The Department Committee evaluates the examination. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of specific research areas; a critical application of that knowledge to specific phenomena; and an ability to write technical prose. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed.

Dissertation Proposal:
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the following:

1. the context and background surrounding a particular research problem,
2. an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem, and
3. a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem.

The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after passing the last field exam. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and the writing process is established.

Dissertation:
The doctoral dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standard of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader discipline of Economics; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.

The Doctoral Advisory Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the department. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the committee members, and informing the student of her/his academic progress.

If any member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee decides to withdraw from the committee, the student shall notify the Chair of the committee and the Director of the Ph.D. program. The student is responsible for finding a replacement, in consultation with the Chair. Inability to find a replacement shall constitute evidence that the student is unable to complete the dissertation. In such a case, the student may petition the Director of the Ph.D. program for a review. Once a review of the facts and circumstances is completed, the Director rules on the student's progress. If the Director rules that the student is incapable of completing the dissertation, s/he is dismissed from the program. This decision may be appealed to the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and, if necessary, to the Graduate School.

The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and at least one additional faculty member from outside the department. It examines the student's ability to express verbally her/his research topic, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.

Students preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Examining Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary arranges the time, date, and room within two working days, and forwards the appropriate forms to the student. The student then sends a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form, found in TUportal under the Tools tab within “University Forms,” at least 10 working days before the defense to the Graduate School. The Economics Department posts an announcement of the defense.

Contacts

Department Contacts: