If your dream is to become an established academic or to bring cutting-edge economics to the private sector, you’ve come to the right place.
In our economics PhD program, you’ll have access to top research labs, excellent research opportunities and publication-worthy collaboration with the department’s outstanding faculty.
The Program
Program Essentials
The first and second year are devoted to coursework on concepts and techniques in economic theory and econometrics. The preliminary exam for the PhD occurs at the end of the first year. During the second and third years, students work closely with the faculty and make the transition to doing their own research.
Areas of Specialization
The program allows you to specialize in behavioral economics, econometrics, economic history, environmental and energy economics, experimental economics, health economics, industrial organization, labor economics, law and economics or microeconomic theory.
I am truly indebted to the Eller Department of Economics. I received a first-class training in economics, and I was encouraged from the very beginning to pursue an ambitious academic career.
Natalia Lazzati ’11 PhD (Economics), Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of California Santa Cruz
Economics Faculty Research
Associate Professor of Economics Mo Xiao is one of many Eller Economics professors undertaking outstanding research and collaborating with PhD students. Meet Professor Xao, and learn about her research:
Admissions
Doctoral Admissions Process
Requirements include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent where you’ve completed and performed well in certain courses. Your application will also require current GRE scores, three letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee.
Funding
Tuition is waived for Economics PhD students. Most students are also funded with a living stipend of approximately $21,000 for serving as a graduate associate.
Application Deadline
Learn More
Research Labs
The Institute for Behavioral Economics promotes research in behavioral economics while the Economic Science Laboratory is home of cutting-edge experimental research and teaching in social science.
Placement
Our faculty work with PhD students to find placement in positions that match their skills. Almost all graduates obtain an academic appointment—if that's the student's objective. Recent graduates are working as fellows and professors at universities worldwide, including Indiana University, University of Southern Denmark and University of Michigan.
Economics Faculty
We’re focused but expert. We’re world leaders in experimental economics and economic history, plus have top faculty in industrial organization and labor economics. Our relatively small faculty has published hundreds of research papers, and that research consistently earns national and international awards.
Start Your Journey to the Top of Your Field
Small class sizes. A great faculty-to-doctoral-student ratio. Incredible research resources. A stellar track record. And you.
Contact us with any questions, or if you're ready to apply to the Eller Doctoral Program in Economics, just click below. We look forward to making breakthroughs together.