Overview
The objective of the Ph.D. program in Economics is to prepare students for productive careers in teaching, research, government agencies, and business in the United States and abroad. The course of studies provides a solid foundation in economic theory, econometrics, and various applied fields. Students will gain technical proficiency in the core disciplines, learn to develop independent models, and undertake empirical research in an applied field of study.
Admissions
Prerequisites for the Ph.D. in Economics include intermediate microeconomics theory, intermediate macroeconomics theory, two semesters of calculus, statistics, and linear algebra. Applicants to the program are required to take the GRE and complete the Sam M. Walton College of Business Ph.D. Application for Admission. For more information about the program or the admissions process, contact Cary Deck, Ph.D. Program Director, at cdeck@walton.uark.edu. For an admission packet, please contact the Graduate School of Business at gsb@walton.uark.edu. Application deadline is January 15.
Program Requirements
Students in the Ph.D. in Economics are required to complete 33 semester hours of core courses in economics, econometrics, and statistics as well as a graduate seminar each semester while in residence. Students also select fields of specialized study. One field must be directed to applied econometrics while the second may be in economics or a related field (e.g., finance). Additionally, two economics course electives are required. All students in the program participate in a Candidacy Examination. The successful student must pass written exams in microeconomics and macroeconomics. A dissertation and dissertation defense complete the program requirements.
Core Courses
- ECON 5233 Mathematics for Economic Analysis
- ECON 5533 Microeconomics Theory I
- ECON 6233 Microeconomics Theory II
- ECON 6253 Microeconomics Theory III
- ECON 5433 Macroeconomics Theory I
- ECON 6243 Macroeconomics Theory II
- ECON 5613 Econometrics I
- ECON 6623 Econometrics II
- ECON 6633 Econometrics III
- STAT 5103 Theory of Statistics
- STAT 5113 Statistical Inference
Specialized Fields of 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.