The Ph.D. in economics is the terminal degree that prepares students for careers as professional economists in academia, in business or the public sector.

Admission

Each student must meet the admission requirements for the Masters of Arts degree in economics as well as the Graduate School requirements for admission to the PhD program.

Curricula

A student must complete at least 54 graduate hours beyond the bachelor's degree or at least 30 approved graduate hours beyond the master's degree.  Each student must meet the core requirements for the M.A. degree and present credit in Economics 530, 613, 614, 628, 630, and 631.  A student must complete two fields of specialization, each of which will consist of 9 hours of course work.  One field may be in an approved area outside economics.  Economics fields include applied microeconomics, applied macroeconomics, and econometrics.

Descriptions of the Graduate Level Economics Courses

Written Comprehensive Examination

Each student must successfully complete a written comprehensive exam in economic theory and econometric methods.  This exam is administered during the student's second year of enrollment.

Dissertation and Oral Defense

After the student has completed all coursework and passed the written comprehensive examination, a dissertation proposal must be successfully presented to, and approved by, a dissertation committee.   After the dissertation is written, a final oral defense culminates the student's doctoral program at the University.

For additional information, see the Graduate Handbook

Contact

Dr. Lewis Smith
235 Holman Hall
(662) 915-5924
lsmith@olemiss.edu