Prerequisites to Degree Program:
Most students must first earn a master's degree and then apply for entry to the doctoral program. In exceptional cases, students may enter the doctoral program immediately upon completion of the bachelor's degree. The requirements for this program include (1) intermediate theory, (2) 2 semesters of calculus, (3) statistics, and (4) linear algebra.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree:
The doctoral program consists of

1. Core requirements
2. Fields of specialized study
3. Electives
4. Candidacy Examinations
5. Dissertation
6. Final Examination

Additional course requirements may be requisite for PhD students in those economics classes populated primarily by Masters Students.

Core Requirements, Including Applied Econometrics Field Courses:
All doctoral candidates must satisfactorily complete 33 semester hours of core requirements and applied econometrics field courses listed below. In addition, they must register for the graduate seminar each semester they are in residence.

Seminars:
Doctoral students are required to register for ECON 643V or 644V each semester they are in residence. Normally they will register for one hour of credit. However, at one point in their program, usually the last year of course work, they must register for three hours of credit.

Fields of Specialized Study:
Students must select two fields of specialization, one of which must be applied econometrics. The second field may be in economics or in a complementary field if approved by the economics Program Director. Potential outside fields include Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, and Environmental Science. At least two graduate level courses must be taken in each field and a grade of "B' must be earned in each field course. The second year statistics requirements above cannot count towards a field in statistics.

Electives:
Two economics course electives are required after completing the first year core requirements.

Note:
The foregoing requirements are for students who enter the doctoral program directly from undergraduate school. Students whose qualifications exceed the baccalaureate will be evaluated individually in accordance with standards established by the Graduate School and the Walton College of Business. Students who have earned a master's degree in economics at the University of Arkansas or elsewhere will probably have substantially shorter programs. However, there is a minimum requirement of 24 hours of course work (5000 level and above) beyond that required for a master's degree. Doctoral candidates must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 on all graduate course work.

Dissertation:
The dissertation represents a demonstration of a candidate's ability to select, define, organize, and complete a major research project. It should demonstrate that the student has technical mastery of the field, is capable of doing independent scholarly research, and is able to formulate conclusions which enlarge the body of economic knowledge. Dissertation requirements include (1) a defense of proposal, and (2) presentation of an acceptable doctoral dissertation.

Candidacy Examinations for the Doctor of Philosophy:
Students must pass written candidacy examinations in microeconomics and macroeconomics. These exams will typically be given after the student completes the required core courses. The microeconomics candidacy exam will be given after the fall semester and the macroeconomics exam will be given after the spring semester. Students who do not pass an exam will have the option to retake it. Students who fail the exam a second time will normally be dismissed from the program.

Final Examination:
The final examination is normally an oral defense of the student's dissertation.

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