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Dec 04, 2025
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American University Catalog 2025-2026
Economics (PhD)
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Offered by the Department of Economics , College of Arts and Sciences , American University’s Economics (PhD) program offers a diversity of approaches to economics that encourages students to understand the historical, cultural and institutional context of the economic problems facing society today. Students are provided with the methodological tools and theoretical foundations necessary to make significant contributions to our understanding of economic issues and the formation of policy. Students engage in coursework, research seminars, and independent research with renowned faculty to prepare for careers across academia, the public sector, industry, consulting and research institutions.
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Admission to the Program
In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general tests (verbal, math, analytical). Admission is based on academic record, test scores, and at least two letters of recommendation. Applicants who are not native speakers of English must submit the results of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). In general, a B+ average for previous undergraduate work or graduate work, whichever is more recent, is the minimum required. As a rule, students are admitted for the fall semester only; application must be made by the previous January 15 in order to be considered for financial support. Degree Requirements
- 45 credit hours of approved graduate work, exclusive of ECON-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (1-9) /ECON-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
- With the permission of the program director and in accordance with university academic regulations, transfer credits may be applied to the PhD program. Customarily the number of total credits transferred to the program would be no greater than 6 credit hours
- A two-part preliminary theory comprehensive examination based on ECON-802 Macroeconomics I (3) , ECON-803 Microeconomic I (3) , ECON-806 Macroeconomics II (3) , and ECON-807 Microeconomics II (3) , which must be completed after taking those courses, normally at the end of the first year. A student who fails one or both parts of the comprehensive examination may apply to the program director for one additional attempt on the failed part(s)
- Program of study must be approved prior to registration for courses beyond the core courses, normally in the second semester of the first year
- Research Paper: Students must submit a substantial and original research paper prior to defending the dissertation proposal. The paper is due on the last day of the academic year in which course requirements are completed. The paper serves as a comprehensive examination. The paper must be graded on a pass/fail basis by a faculty member of the department. A student who does not submit a passing paper by the due date may apply to the program director to submit a revised paper. Resubmission is due on the first day of the following fall semester and is graded by at least two faculty members
- Dissertation:
- Committee Approval: Subject to applicable university academic regulations, students must identify an eligible faculty member working in their area of interest who is willing to become chair of their dissertation committee as well as at least two additional dissertation committee members. Students must obtain approval for the composition of the committee, normally in the third year
- Proposal Defense: Subject to applicable university academic regulations and departmental requirements, students must submit a written proposal to the dissertation committee prior to the dissertation proposal defense. Students must successfully present and defend a dissertation proposal to an approved dissertation committee, before or during the fall of the fourth year. Exceptions to defend later than the fall of the fourth year are rare and require permission from AU’s administration
- Oral Dissertation Defense: When the actual dissertation is nearly finished, an oral defense of the complete draft dissertation is held. The oral defense includes the dissertation committee as well as an outside member that meets the qualifications as stipulated in the applicable university academic regulations. Final approval of the dissertation depends on satisfactory completion of any changes required by the committee members following the oral defense. Dissertations are subject to all applicable university regulations
Research Seminar (3 credit hours)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following:
Additional (21 credit hours)
Complete 21 credit hours from the following: |
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