Economics (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. in economics provides students with research-oriented training in the theoretical foundations of economics and modern empirical techniques. Students complete coursework in advanced micro, macro, and econometric theory. We offer specific training in financial economics and applied microeconomics fields such as health, education, development, environment, and trade, and advanced computational methods, among others. We also offer coursework and training in applied and theoretical macroeconomics, including monetary and open economy macroeconomics.
Students are taught by faculty with international reputations in their fields and who bring research excellence to the classroom. Students in their third year and above work directly with their faculty mentor to develop a research proposal and dissertation.
Learning Goals
Through the economics Ph.D. program, our students will:
- Understand the historical and modern theories of micro and macroeconomics and econometric theory
- Deepen their understanding of economic models of the household, firm, and institutions
- Learn advanced mathematics to create mathematical models of the economy
- Develop the ability to organize and analyze specialized data
- Learn advanced empirical methods for data applications in financial markets, international development, health, education, environmental economics, among others through our course work in Econometrics, Financial Econometrics, Applied Micro Econometrics, and special topics such as Machine Learning and Non-parametric Econometrics
- Learn about the social dimensions of economic policy and about policies to improve equity and efficiency of economic outcomes in a variety of contexts
- Learn to develop research questions and strategies for addressing them
- Learn to effectively communicate their research via research posters and presentations in our dedicated Ph.D. student workshops and lunch-time seminars
- Learn to develop publication quality research through our advanced course-work in Research & Writing and Research Methods, as well as dedicated faculty mentoring
Candidates must complete 63 credits (21 courses) beyond the bachelor's degree, including at least 33 credits (11 courses) beyond the Economics M.A. taken at Fordham, or 45 credits (15 courses) beyond an M.B.A. or a non-Fordham M.A. in Economics or in a related field. Ph.D. candidates must maintain a 3.5 (B+) average in course work to remain in the program.
Candidates must certify in Macroeconomic Theory and Microeconomic Theory in addition to three of the four fields of concentration offered by the department. Certification in economic theory (Macro and Micro theory) is achieved through written comprehensive examination. Each examination may be repeated once. Certification in three fields is achieved by receiving a 3.5 (B+) or higher in the course work in that field and through a pre-dissertation paper (ECON 0940/ECON 0945) which must be completed prior to the student's dissertation proposal. The pre-dissertation paper must be accepted prior to beginning proposal development. The pre-dissertation paper can be resubmitted once. Students must certify in economic theory and complete field coursework prior to registering for ECON 0940.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 6010 & ECON 7010 | Microeconomic Theory I and Microeconomic Theory II | 6 |
| ECON 6020 & ECON 7020 | Macroeconomic Theory I and Macroeconomic Theory II | 6 |
| ECON 7910 & ECON 7920 | Econometrics I and Econometrics II | 6 |
| ECON 5700 & ECON 6700 | Mathematical Methods in Economics I and Mathematical Methods in Economics II | 6 |
| ECON 8600 | Research and Writing in Economics | 3 |
| One of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Financial Econometrics | ||
| Applied Microeconometrics | ||
| Topics in Econometric Theory | ||
| Two courses each in three of the following concentrations: 1 | 18 | |
Development | ||
Financial | ||
International | ||
Monetary | ||
| Five graduate-level electives in Economics 2 | 15 | |
| Dissertation and Examination courses | 5 | |
| Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination: Economics (comprises two core exams) | ||
| Pre-Dissertation Paper Development | ||
| Pre-Dissertation Paper Acceptance | ||
| Proposal Development | ||
| Proposal Acceptance | ||
| Dissertation Direction | ||
| Total Credits | 68 | |
- 1
Students entering the Ph.D. with an earned M.A./M.S./M.B.A. degree (either from Fordham or elsewhere) complete two courses in each of two concentrations, as opposed to two courses in each of three concentrations.
- 2
A list of area courses can be found on the M.A. in Economics page. A list of all graduate-level economics courses can be found on our department page. Students entering the Ph.D. program with an earned M.A./M.S./M.B.A. degree (either from Fordham or elsewhere) complete one elective course as opposed to five.
CIP Code
45.0603 - Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
Development concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 6440 | Development Economics (required if this concentration is chosen) | 3 |
| ECON 5600 | Health and Development | 3 |
| ECON 6460 | Agriculture and Development | 3 |
| ECON 6470 | Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECON 6480 | Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
Financial concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 6240 | Financial Economics | 3 |
| ECON 6340 | Financial Theory | 3 |
International concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 6510 | International Trade | 3 |
| ECON 6560 | International Finance | 3 |
Monetary concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 6310 | Monetary Policy | 3 |
| ECON 6320 | Monetary Theory | 3 |