Introduction
The Ph.D. program in economics provides students with training in modern microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, combined with specialized training in the fields of international finance, international trade, economic development, monetary economics, applied microeconomics, experimental economics, and other areas.
Advancement to Candidacy
Course Requirements
First-year Ph.D. students are required to enroll in the following courses:
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ECON 210B*, and the three sequences:
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ECON 204A-ECON 204B-ECON 204C, Advanced Micro Theory I-II-III;
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ECON 205A-ECON 205B-ECON 205C, Advanced Macro Theory I-II-III; and
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ECON 211A-ECON 211B-ECON 211C, Advanced Econometrics I-II-III.
* Scheduled in pre-fall as a three-week math camp that precedes the start of fall quarter. The three sequences are taken during the traditional academic year.
Second-year Ph.D. students are required to complete two field sequences, and take 30 units of coursework in the second year. Only two courses per topic are needed to satisfy one sequence. Students may choose one of the following sequences:
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International Trade I-II (ECON 240A-ECON 240B),
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Advanced International Finance I-II-III (ECON 241A-ECON 241B-ECON 241C),
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Development Economics I-II (ECON 220A-ECON 220B),
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Advanced Methods in Macroeconomics I-II-III (ECON 221A-ECON 221B-ECON 221C),
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Applied Microeconomics I-II-III (ECON 250A-ECON 250B-ECON 250C), and
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Experimental Economics (ECON 238*, ECON 270, ECON 272*);
*Normally offered in alternate years
Students are required to submit a second-year field paper which is due on Aug. 31, just before the start of the third year. The department's graduate online handbook details the evaluation procedure for the field papers.
Third-year Ph.D. students must attempt and pass the Oral Qualifying Exam by the end of the fall quarter. In addition, students must enroll in a workshop focused on advanced topics in their field of interest: ECON 274, ECON 275, or ECON 276. In addition, students enroll in ECON 299B, Doctoral Thesis Research (10 units), under their adviser.
Fourth-year Ph.D. students and beyond are focused on their dissertation research and enroll in ECON 299B, Doctoral Thesis Research (10 credits), and a workshop focused on advanced topics in their field of interest: ECON 274, ECON 275, or ECON 276.
All graduate courses must be taken for letter grade with the exception of ECON 210B, ECON 274, ECON 275, ECON 275 and courses numbered ECON 293 and higher. Only courses with a letter grade of B- or higher can be counted toward the degree requirements.
Ph.D. Courses and Program Requirements
First Year
| ECON204A | Advanced Microeconomic Theory I | 5 |
| ECON204B | Advanced Microeconomic Theory II | 5 |
| ECON204C | Advanced Microeconomic Theory III | 5 |
| ECON205A | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory I | 5 |
| ECON205B | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory II | 5 |
| ECON205C | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory III | 5 |
| ECON211A | Advanced Econometrics I | 5 |
| ECON211B | Advanced Econometrics II | 5 |
| ECON211C | Advanced Econometrics III | 5 |
| ECON210B | Mathematical Methods for Economic Analysis | 5 |
At the conclusion of the first year, students are required to take and pass microeconomic and macroeconomic preliminary examinations, which are scheduled end of June with a make up in September.
Second Year
Complete 30 units of coursework and complete two field sequences.
| ECON220A | Development Economics I | 5 |
| ECON220B | Development Economics II | 5 |
| ECON221A | Advanced Methods in Macroeconomics I | 5 |
| ECON221B | Advanced Methods in Macroeconomics II | 5 |
| ECON238 | Market Design: Theory and Pragmatics | 5 |
| ECON240A | International Trade I | 5 |
| ECON240B | International Trade II | 5 |
| ECON241A | Advanced International Finance I | 5 |
| ECON241B | Advanced International Finance II | 5 |
| ECON241C | Advanced International Finance III | 5 |
| ECON250A | Applied Microeconomics I | 5 |
| ECON250B | Applied Microeconomics II | 5 |
| ECON270 | Advanced Topics in Applied Microeconomics | 5 |
| ECON272
/BIOE 274/CSE 209
| Evolutionary Game Theory | 5 |
Second-year field paper: due on Aug. 31 after the second year.
*Not all field sequences are offered every year or in the same quarter each year.
Third Year
| ECON274 | Workshop in Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics | 3 |
| ECON275 | Workshop in Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON276 | Workshop in Experimental Economics | 3 |
| ECON299B | Doctoral Thesis Research | 10 |
Fourth Year and Beyond
| ECON274 | Workshop in Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics | 3 |
| ECON275 | Workshop in Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON276 | Workshop in Experimental Economics | 3 |
| ECON299B | Doctoral Thesis Research | 10 |
Based on university policy, course requirements are satisfied by a letter grade of B- or better or a grade of S (satisfactory). A letter grade of C in a course is not satisfactory for meeting a course requirement for the Ph.D. program.
Pre-Qualifying Requirements
First-year students take two written preliminary examinations; one each in Micro and Macro, in the second week after final exams in June. Students who do not pass either exam may attempt the exam again in September at a date scheduled by the department. Students who fail either exam twice are not allowed to continue in the program.
Second-year students must complete a field paper that consists of original research demonstrating the student's readiness to undertake the Ph.D. in economics. The paper is due on Aug. 31 in the summer after the second year in the program.
Qualifying Examination
Advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree requires completion with satisfactory grades or better of the required coursework, preliminary examinations, the field paper, and the oral examination. The oral examination is taken after all other requirements have been completed. A student cannot advance to candidacy before clearing any incomplete grades from their record. Students are expected to complete the oral qualifying examination (QE) during the fall quarter of their third year.
Dissertation
Dissertation
The final requirement for the Ph.D. degree is acceptance of the student’s dissertation under the rules of the Academic Senate. A three-member dissertation advisory committee, headed by the student’s research adviser, evaluates the dissertation for the department. The dissertation advisory committee must be approved by both the economics Ph.D. committee and the Graduate Division. The committee may require a formal public defense of the dissertation.
Academic Progress
The main requirements for the program are as follows:
- Students must pass all first year courses.
- Students must pass the micro and macro preliminary exams within the maximum 2 attempts.
- Students must pass the 2nd-year paper, due on Aug. 31 in the summer after the second year.
- Students must pass the oral qualifying exam. This is expected to be completed by the end of the fall quarter of the third year.
- Students must pass a workshop in each quarter in years three and above.
Students who fail to meet any of these requirements within the timeline specified will be placed on academic probation with the Graduate Division. Students who fail to rectify the terms of their probation within the timeline specified in their probation will be dismissed from the program. Note that probation and dismissal can only be formally issued by the Graduate Division (under recommendation from the Economics Department). More detail on these procedures, as well as student’s right to appeal such decisions, can be found in the Graduate Division Handbook. The minimum residency requirement for a Ph.D. degree at UC Santa Cruz is six quarters. To receive a graduate degree from UC Santa Cruz, you must be registered at the Santa Cruz campus for at least three of the six quarters. A minimum of one quarter in residence must elapse between advancement to candidacy and awarding of degree.
Applying for Graduation
By the end of the second week of instruction in the quarter you intend to graduate, you must file an "Application for Degree" form with the Division of Graduate Studies.