The doctoral program consists of a two-year, primarily coursework stage and a dissertation stage. During the first year, all students complete a set of core courses, which cover microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, statistical and econometric theory, and computational and empirical methods. During the second year, students complete a two-semester sequence in econometrics and two additional elective fields: industrial organization, international trade, macroeconomics, and public economics.
Some first-year core courses may be waived for students who have already taken equivalent courses by passing a waiver exam. Students who waive a course will enroll in some other appropriate course subject to approval by the Graduate Coordinator.
First Year Core Curriculum
First Term Courses | Second Term Courses |
| Microeconomic Theory I | Microeconomic Theory II |
| Macroeconomic Theory I | Macroeconomic Theory II |
| Statistical Methods in Economics | Econometric Methods and Models |
| Computing and Computational Methods I | Computing and Computational Methods II |
Fields of Specialization
Each student undertakes intensive course work in at least three fields of specialization. These field courses must be completed during the second year of study. At the end of the second year, the student takes written qualifying examinations in at least two fields. The fields offered are:
Econometrics | Macroeconomics |
| Advanced Econometrics I | Applied Macroeconomics I |
| Advanced Econometrics II | Applied Macroeconomics II |
Industrial Organization | Public Economics |
| Empirical Industrial Organization I | Public Economics I |
| Empirical Industrial Organization II | Theoretical Public Economics |
International Trade | |
| Theory of International Trade | |
| International Economic Relations |