PhD in Economics

The PhD in Economics program offers a thorough grounding in the basic tools of economics, statistics, and mathematics through a series of core courses followed by a series of well-defined seminars that cover areas of specialization within economics.

In addition to gaining basic analytical tools, candidates learn to develop economic intuition into economic problems and acquire the necessary mind-set to teach and conduct independent research as a university professor.

Curriculum

The curriculum consists of four components: required courses, an independent research paper, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation.

The PhD in Business Administration consists of a core sequence of classes in a variety of business fields, and an area of concentration consisting of a minimum of 18 hours of classes within a particular field.

The Economics concentration consists of two semesters of microeconomic theory, two semesters of econometrics, one semester of macroeconomic theory, and one semester of mathematical economics. Students will take an additional two-semester seminar sequence in an area of specialization within economics.

Course requirements

Students complete a program of study that leads to competency in three areas: quantitative methods, economics, and a subfield of specialization within economics. The requirements of the program of study are typically satisfied by completing 18 courses in the first two and a half years of the program. Required courses include seven courses in quantitative methods and econometrics, six in economics, and several electives. In some cases, coursework prior to entering the program may be substituted for required courses.

Research paper

Students are expected to engage in research early in the program. All students work at least part-time as research assistants during the first two years of the program. By the end of their second year, students are required to submit a research paper as part of the ECON 9099: Doctoral Special Topics in Economics seminar.

Comprehensive examination

Satisfactory performance on a written comprehensive examination marks the student's transition from coursework to full-time thesis research. The examination is intended to allow the student to demonstrate substantial knowledge of economics, econometrics and quantitative methods.

The candidate will have completed most course work, including all economics coursework, and submitted a satisfactory research paper prior to taking the comprehensive examination.

Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a substantial, significant and original contribution to knowledge. It is prepared under the guidance of a thesis committee of three or more faculty members (including one from outside the Economics department) selected by the candidate in consultation with his or her thesis advisor. Early in the process, the candidate submits a thesis proposal. The proposal is presented in a seminar to which the economics faculty and doctoral students are invited. The purpose of the presentation is to give the student an opportunity to hear the suggestions and comments of members of the UC economics community while the research plan is still fluid.

A thesis-defense seminar, open to the entire University of Cincinnati academic community, is held when the research is completed.

Required coursework

The economics program requires the following coursework:

Economics PhD program required coursework
  Course number Course title Credits
Prerequisites*
(One to five courses)
  Introduction to Research and Teaching
 
  Basic Business Knowledge Courses:  
ACCT 7000 Foundations in Accounting 2
FIN 7000 Foundations in Finance 1
MGMT 7000 Organization 2
MKTG 7000 Foundations in Marketing 1
BANA 6037 Data Visualization 2
Core BANA 7031 Probability Models 4
BANA 7041 Statistical Models 4
ECON 9010 and 9011 Econometrics I and II  
ECON 9018 Mathematical Economics  
Elective options
(Choose five courses)
  Forecasting/Time Series Analysis  
  Asset Pricing Theory  
  Foundations of Finance  
  Corporate Finance Theory  
RE 6031 Real Estate Analysis 3
  SAS Programming  
  Data Mining  
  Financial Mathematics I and II  
  Applied Probability and Stochastic Processes
 
  Linear Algebra  
Economics Seminars
(Choose six courses)
ECON 9019 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory: Macroeconomic theory taught at the PhD level 3
ECON 9020 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I: Microeconomic theory taught at the PhD level. This course introduces students to consumer theory, producer theory, industrial organization, game theory, risk and uncertainty, general equilibrium analysis and welfare economics. 3
ECON 9021 Advanced Microeconomic Theory II: Microeconomic theory taught at the PhD level. A continuation of Econ 9020. 3
ECON 9022 Advanced Topics in Econometrics I: Econometric theory taught at the PhD level. This course covers the theory of econometrics including coverage of the empirical methodologies used in testing and investigating economics topics, and empirical examinations of important economic issues 3
ECON 9030 Advanced Topics in Economics I: This course introduces students to current economic research. Each topic will be addressed in 3 respects: 1) commonly used empirical methodologies; 2) main empirical findings; and, 3) the relation between empirical research and theory. 3
ECON 9031 Advanced Topics in Economics II: This course covers a series of selected research topics that are not currently addressed within the department's other semester-length courses. Representative topics that may be covered include Urban and Regional Economics, Labor Economics, Industrial Organization, Real Estate Economics, Public Finance. 3
ECON 9099 Doctoral Special Topics in Economics: Most students take this course during their second year in the program. In this colloquium the student develops an independent, original research idea under the supervision of one or more faculty mentors. During the course the student carries out all the theoretical analysis and empirical tests required to convert their research question into an original paper. The colloquium culminates with the circulation of the finished research paper and a professional presentation of the research to the entire faculty. 3
 

*Many prerequisite courses can be waived for students with master’s degrees in business disciplines.

Required introductory courses

  • Introduction to Research and Teaching: taken the first semester in the program.
  • Business Core: if you do not have an MBA degree or you have not satisfied the Basic Business Knowledge (BBK) requirements, you are required to become familiar with the basic body of knowledge (e.g, marketing, management, and accounting). Many of these courses can be waived if you have a master's degree in a business discipline.

Core quantitative methods (five courses)

  • Probability Models (BANA 7031)
  • Statistical Models (BANA 7041)
  • Econometrics I and II (9010 and 9011)
  • Mathematical Economics (9018)

Typical PhD electives (five courses)

  • Forecasting/Time Series Analysis
  • Asset Pricing Theory
  • Foundations of Finance
  • Corporate Finance Theory
  • Real Estate Analysis
  • SAS Programming
  • Data Mining
  • Financial Mathematics I and II
  • Applied Probability and Stochastic Processes
  • Linear Algebra

Economics seminars (six courses):

The department offers the following seminars:

ECON 9019: Advanced Macroeconomic Theory

Macroeconomic theory taught at the PhD level. Three credit hours.

ECON 9020: Advanced Microeconomic Theory I

Microeconomic theory taught at the PhD level. This course introduces students to consumer theory, producer theory, industrial organization, game theory, risk and uncertainty, general equilibrium analysis and welfare economics. Three credit hours.

ECON 9021: Advanced Microeconomic Theory II

Microeconomic theory taught at the PhD level. A continuation of ECON 9020. Three credit hours.

ECON 9022: Advanced Topics in Econometrics I

Econometric theory taught at the PhD level. This course covers the theory of econometrics including coverage of the empirical methodologies used in testing and investigating economics topics, and empirical examinations of important economic issues. Three credit hours.

ECON 9030: Advanced Topics in Economics I

This course introduces students to current economic research. Each topic will be addressed in three respects: 1) commonly used empirical methodologies; 2) main empirical findings; and, 3) the relation between empirical research and theory. Three credit hours.

ECON 9031: Advanced Topics in Economics II

This course covers a series of selected research topics that are not currently addressed within the department's other semester-length courses. Representative topics that may be covered include urban and regional economics, labor economics, industrial organization, real estate economics, and public finance. Three credit hours.

ECON 9099: Doctoral Special Topics in Economics

Most students take this course during their second year in the program. In this colloquium the student develops an independent, original research idea under the supervision of one or more faculty mentors. During the course the student carries out all the theoretical analysis and empirical tests required to convert their research question into an original paper. The colloquium culminates with the circulation of the finished research paper and a professional presentation of the research to the entire faculty. Three credit hours.