Graduate Programs
Ph.D. Programs in Economics and Agricultural Economics
Worksheet for PhD in Economics or Agricultural Economics (PDF, Word)
Ph.D. Field Requirements
The School of Economic Sciences offers two doctoral programs--the Ph.D. in Economics and the Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. These programs are offered in coordination with the Ph.D. degree program in Business Administration for a concentration in Finance.
These two degree programs draw on the complementary strengths of the faculty in the School of Economic Sciences and the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate. School faculty teach core courses in economic theory and quantitative research methods and offer advanced topics courses in several applied economics fields. Finance faculty offer additional advanced topics courses in applied finance fields. Students in both degree programs take the same set of core courses (five in theory and three in quantitative methods) and have access to the full array of advanced topics courses offered by both faculties. They also have access to both faculties for dissertation research guidance.
The Ph.D. in Economics is designed to prepare students for careers as professional economists in academia, government, and the private sector. The program is structured so that a student with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and an appointment as a graduate assistant should be able to complete the required coursework within three academic years, excluding summer sessions. Students with a Master of Arts in Applied Economics degree may be able to complete the required coursework in less time, depending on the content and quality of the previous work. The length of time required to complete the dissertation varies greatly but students usually complete the entire program, including the dissertation, within four years.
The Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics is designed to provide the student with an excellent foundation in the theory and methods of economic analysis as well as experience in applied analysis of agricultural, agribusiness, and/or resource economics problems. Career opportunities for agricultural economists also include academia, government, and the private sector. Many academic positions (especially at land grant universities) include salary support for a combination of teaching, research, and/or outreach related to the food and fiber sectors and the natural resource base that supports them. The time required to complete the doctoral degree in agricultural economics is comparable to that required for the economics Ph.D.
The Ph.D. programs enhance the marketability of graduates in all degrees by deepening their training in economic theory and econometrics and preparing them for a greater variety of employment opportunities than was possible with independent programs. To further strengthen their quantitative training and with the consent of their advisory committee, students may simultaneously pursue an M.S. degree in Statistics.
The Ph.D. requires core courses in economic theory and econometrics, advanced topics courses in applied fields, and the completion of a dissertation. The first year, study in the doctoral program is tightly structured. During the first year, full-time students take four core theory courses, one core course in statistics for economists and one core econometrics course. Because the fall core courses offered in the first year are prerequisites for subsequent courses, students generally must begin the program in the fall semester. Additional core courses are taken in the second year. Field courses are taken in the second and (possibly) third years. Total requirements for the Ph.D. degree include a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate, including at least 37 credits of coursework from the core and field courses and 20 credits of doctoral research.
While an advisory committee tailors each student's program to his or her interests, all programs are designed to meet the following requirements.
Core courses: A 22-credit core curriculum ensures that each Ph.D. student receives advanced training in economic theory and quantitative methods: (1) theoretical foundations of economics--12 credits (EconS 500, 501, 502, 503) or their equivalents; and (2) tools for research and empirical analysis--10 credits (EconS 510, 511 and 512) or their equivalents.
Directed elective: Students take one 3-credit, 500-level course as a directed elective with the approval of their academic advisor.
Fields of specialization: A student's program is required to demonstrate an area or areas of concentration that prepare the student for the dissertation. Through field courses, the students receive additional preparation in at least two areas of specialization. Together with individual research activities and mentored study, the field courses prepare the student to apply economic theory and quantitative methods to real-world problems. Selections among field courses allow students to tailor their graduate program to specific interests and to interact with faculty working in their area. Seven fields of study are offered: Econometrics; Environmental & Natural Resource Economics; International Economics; Industrial Organization; Agricultural Economics (required for Agricultural Economics Ph.D.); Public Economics; and Financial Economics (offered by the Finance Department).
Advanced topics are taught in a repeatable, variable-credit course in each field area. Students take a minimum of six credit hours in each of two fields, and 12 credits overall in field courses.
Additional credits: Additional coursework and research credits are used to bring the student up to 72 credits.
Foundation Classes
Foundation classes in economic theory, mathematics, and quantitative methods are normally taken in the student's master’s program and satisfy prerequisites for the theory and quantitative methods outlined above. When missing from the student’s preparation, foundation classes are taken as remedial and do not count towards core requirements.
Residence Requirement
The residence requirement for the doctoral degree is three years (six semesters) beyond the baccalaureate degree. At least two of these years must be spent in residence at Washington State University. A minimum of two regular semesters must be continuous. Full-time enrollment for three summer sessions may be substituted for two academic-year semesters.
Transfer Credit
Credit earned in other recognized graduate schools may be applied (subject to School and Graduate School approval) toward the doctoral degree, if appropriate to the student's program, and representing work of acceptable quality (grades of 3.0 or higher). Transfer credit does not substitute for residence requirements. The amount of transfer credit allowed on a doctoral degree is subject to School recommendations and approval by the Graduate School.
Seminar Requirement
All doctoral students are required to present a seminar based on their research (dissertation). The purpose of these seminars is to improve communication of research activities among interested members (students and faculty) of the School. Timing of the seminar is at the discretion of the student and his/her committee but is normally done in conjunction with the student's preliminary or final examination. This requirement may be waived if the student's committee deems it inappropriate. All waivers must be approved by the School director.
Teaching Experience
Although no formal teaching experience is required for advanced economics degrees, the School encourages Ph.D. students to obtain teaching experience. Teaching experience can be obtained formally as a graduate teaching assistant and/or informally through mentoring relationships with faculty. All Ph.D. students should seek opportunities to make classroom presentations.
Written Core and Preliminary Examinations
Students seeking the Ph.D. must take comprehensive written examinations following the completion of applicable core courses or their equivalents. Students earning at least an A- grade in both classes of a core sequence will not be required to take the qualifying examination in that sequence. After the written examinations have been passed, the student continues with coursework that leads to a written research proposal and takes a comprehensive oral preliminary examination administered by the Graduate School. For further explanation of the written and preliminary examinations, see the section entitled "Examinations."
Dissertation
Each student seeking the Ph.D. must prepare a dissertation. It must be an original, scholarly work representing a significant contribution to knowledge in economics. A final examination consisting of an oral defense of the dissertation must be taken when the dissertation has been completed. This examination is required by the Graduate School and represents the capstone of the student's program.
Final Examination
Doctoral candidates must pass a final oral examination which is primarily a defense of the dissertation, but which may also cover the general field of knowledge pertinent to the degree.
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