Candidates in this program are responsible for observing the general requirements stated in this catalog as well as requirements specified by the Department. Information may be obtained from the graduate advisor. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to qualified students.
Satisfy the general requirements of the University for advancement to candidacy.
1. Thirty-two units of upper-division and graduate courses (500- and 600-level courses, of which 26 units must be in economics). All students must develop two fields of concentration in economics, in addition to demonstrating competence in economic theory (microeconomics and macroeconomics), and econometrics.
2. Satisfactory completion of the following courses:
3. Students must pass two qualifying examinations in the early part of the program; one in microeconomics and one in macroeconomics. Both exams must be attempted at the conclusion of the first full semester's coursework (13 units) that are counted towards the degree. The qualifying exams may be taken no more than two times each.
4. Students must successfully complete coursework in two fields of concentration in economics. Coursework for each concentration includes at least one 500-level prerequisite course and a 600-level course. Students are required to write a research paper in each 600-level course and pass the course with a grade of "B" or better.
5. Students must successfully pass an oral comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam requires students to defend one of the research papers submitted from a 600-level course. This exam will assess the student's ability to integrate the knowledge in the field of concentration, show critical independent thinking, and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. A committee of three faculty members will determine if the student has successfully passed the exam based on the quality of the written paper and the oral defense of that paper.
