applied economics phd usa

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Applied Economics

Wharton’s highly selective phd program in applied economics offers students many resources not available at other institutions, such as 1:1 faculty to student ratio, five years of funding, and minimal teaching requirements..

Combining the faculties of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics & Public Policy, Wharton’s Applied Economics program leverages the breadth and depth of its faculty to prepare students for careers doing frontier theoretical and empirical research. Students can focus on a variety of research areas, including Behavioral Economics, Development and International Economics, Energy and Environmental Economics, Health Economics, Industrial Organization and Regulation, Labor Economics, Law and Economics, Market Design, Public Economics, Risk and Insurance, Urban Economics and Real Estate. You can find the list of Applied Economics Faculty here.  Students may also develop an inter-disciplinary focus by taking courses and working with faculty in some of the other departments at Wharton such as Finance, Health Care Management, Management, and Marketing.

For more information on courses, please visit the University Graduate Catalog .

Sample Schedule

The course of study for the Ph.D. in Applied Economics requires the completion of 15 graduate course units. The common core consists of 3 theory courses and 3 statistics/econometrics courses. Students are also expected to master two field areas by passing two courses in each (total of 4 courses units). The remaining course units necessary to achieve 15 are split between the mandatory graduate student research seminars and other electives.

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

Students will apply for admission to the Wharton Program in Applied Economics, and may, if they wish, indicate a preferred field of study in their application. All else equal, the admissions committee may consider field choice in determining admission. Fellowship support will be in accordance with usual Wharton and University guidelines.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

Students will be required to master core materials in economic theory covering the topics of household decision-making, production theory, theory of markets and market failure, game theory, decision-making under uncertainty, and resource allocation in dynamic economies. The following courses will satisfy the three-course economic theory requirement:

Microeconomic Theory I: ECON 7010 Microeconomic Theory II: ECON 7110 Macroeconomic Theory: ECON 7200 or 7210 or FNCE 9240

Students will be required to master core materials in applied econometrics covering the topics of statistical inference, linear regression analysis, panel regression analysis, and estimation of models using discrete dependent variables. The following courses will satisfy the three-course econometric/statistics requirement:

Econometrics: ECON 7300, FNCE 9260, ECON 8310 or ECON 7310, BEPP 9110 and BEPP 9310

FIELD REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the core theory and econometrics materials, students will be required to master two applied fields by passing two courses in each field. Students will be free to offer their own field as a substitute with approval of the graduate group chair and (when relevant) an appropriate advisor from another Wharton graduate group.

• Development Economics BEPP 9410: Development Economics • Industrial Economics and Business Regulation: BEPP 9870: Industrial Organization and Competition Policy HCMG 9020: Special Topics of Health Services Research: Industrial Organization of Health Care ECON 8450: Empirical Methods in Industrial Organization • Market Design BEPP 9710: Market Design • Public Economics and Political Economy: BEPP 9330: Public Economics: Social Insurance & Government Expenditures HCMG 9030: Public Policy ECON 8410: Public Economics I ECON 8411: Public Economics II • Urban Economics and Real Estate: REAL 9450: Urban and Real Estate Economics REAL 9460: Advanced Topics in Urban Economics REAL 9470: Advanced Real Estate and Urban Economics • Behavioral Economics: BEPP 9040: Experimental Economics: Methods and Applications OIDD 9000: Foundation of Decision Processes OIDD 9040: Experimental Economics

In addition, all students must take elective courses to achieve the necessary 15 Course Credits to be eligible for Dissertation Status.

During the second and third year of the program students will be required to attend and actively participate in the graduate student research seminar. Students will also be responsible for presenting a paper of original research to the seminar before entering dissertation status. All students will also be required to attend the faculty Applied Economics Workshop during the 2nd and 3rd years.

BEPP 9000: Research Seminar BEPP 9620: Applied Economics Seminar

QUALIFYING EXAM

At the end of first year (usually in last week of May or first week of June), students are expected to take and pass the qualifying exam for Microeconomic Theory and the qualifying exam for Econometrics. These exams are written and graded by the Wharton Applied Economics PhD Committee. If a student fails in one qualifying exam, another opportunity to take that exam will be given at the end of the second year.

Students can also request a waiver for one or both exams if they perform well in the courses associated with each exam. A satisfactory performance for Microeconomic Theory, for example, corresponds to having at least a B- or better in each micro course, and an average of B or better.

FACULTY ADVISORS

Students are required to select or are assigned two faculty advisors in the beginning of the second year in the program. Because the student will not have had all of the major field courses at that time, it is possible that a student will later decide to change advisors; such an eventuality will be considered a normal outcome. In addition, since students will not have had all of the major field course work by June of their first year, they should “read ahead” in their chosen fields to begin identifying a research topic for the Second Year Paper. Students are expected to initiate meetings with faculty members to discuss possible research topics, and these meetings should begin as early as possible after the student enters the program and are part of the process of getting to know the faculty and learning about the field.

CANDIDACY PAPER

The Program in Applied Economics provides students with several opportunities to conduct research. All students are required to write a candidacy paper in their second year to be submitted in the summer of the second year in the program. This paper should demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct PhD quality research. This is often used as the Master’s Thesis submission- and, as the title implies, it is one of the requirements for admission to Doctoral candidacy.

The deadline for submission of the Candidacy Paper is strictly enforced, and failure to complete and submit the paper by the deadline (July 15 of the end of the student’s second year in the program) is grounds for dismissal from the program. The paper must be submitted to the faculty members who are the student’s principal advisors for the project, as well as to the Doctoral Coordinator. A copy of the candidacy paper, together with letters from two faculty members noting approval of it, must be in each student’s file in the Program office prior to the start of the student’s fifth term (typically the start of the third year). Failure to fulfill this requirement may result in the student being dropped from the program.

The main objective of the candidacy paper is to demonstrate the student’s ability to do original research. Often the Candidacy Paper is submitted for publication, and it can also serve as the foundation for PhD research, possibly as a dissertation essay. The Candidacy Paper must be solely authored by the student, not co-authored with the faculty advisor.

Milestones on the road to the candidacy paper are as follows:

September of 2nd year in the program Fall semester, 2nd year Spring semester, 2nd year Faculty advisors selected Candidacy Paper proposal Work on Candidacy paper Submit final version of Candidacy Paper

ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY Before admission to candidacy, the student is required to:

• Complete all required coursework, including all core courses, with at least a B + or better in each course and with an average GPA of B+ or better. (For some courses, a passing grade on a qualifying exam can substitute for a grade below B.)
• Pass both qualifying exams or request exam waivers.
• Submit a satisfactory candidacy paper

THE PHD DISSERTATION The best ways to find a dissertation topic is to talk to the program faculty and read the literature. Discussions with faculty can range from “cold calls,” where the student asks the faculty member for topic suggestions, to more proactive visits where the student discusses potential topic ideas that have come up in course work or research seminars. Students should also take a close look at recent dissertations written by students in their major field as well as dissertations written by students from other Wharton departments.

There are two primary models for the organization of dissertations. The “single study” traditional dissertation, and the essay approach. In the latter approach, two or three essays are generally found acceptable by the student’s dissertation committee, depending on length and quality. Dissertation essays are more prevalent for a number of reasons, including most importantly, (a) the Candidacy Paper may be permitted to constitute a substantial part of one essay, (b) an essay can be used as an interview paper (see discussion below), and (c) if properly structured, an essay can often be converted into a paper to be submitted to a journal. Whether two or three essays are appropriate depends on the length and complexity of the research undertaken and is determined by the student’s dissertation committee.

Dissertation essays may be co-authored, although the extent to which this is appropriate will depend on each student’s topic, doctoral committee, and faculty advisor. A circumstance where a co -authored essay might be appropriate could arise from a joint research project with a faculty member. However, the student’s dissertation must include at least one essay that is solely authored by the student. The dissertation process must begin with the selection of a principal advisor or co-advisors. Each student is responsible for this selection, and then the student works with the advisor(s) to select the dissertation topic and begin exploratory research. The student and advisor then work together to select committee members. Committee members can be approached to join the committee by either the student or the principal advisor(s). The student should work with the advisor(s) to arrange a mutually agreeable procedure. The student should review the Wharton Doctoral Programs Policies and Procedures, to be sure that the committee structure satisfies the overall requirements of the Wharton Doctoral Program.

Important: the PhD Dissertation proposal must be defended before the end of the fourth year in the program. Failure to defend can result in dismissal from the program.

GOING ON THE JOB MARKET The ultimate objective of the Wharton Doctoral Program is to prepare our students for a teaching and research career, ideally at a college or university. Because the placement process for academic jobs is lengthy, students should become familiar with it well in advance of the “job market year.” The program provides full support for students going on the job market, and a series of meetings and timelines are provided to the students during the fourth and fifth years in the program.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION The program will be administered by the graduate group in Applied Economics. Primary appointments in the Departments of Business Economics and Public Policy and Real Estate will be automatic members of the graduate group and comprise the initial membership of the graduate group. The graduate group can extend membership to other Wharton and University faculty as they consider appropriate. The graduate group will decide on its preferred administrative structure. Currently, the chairs of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics and Public Policy are responsible for jointly appointing a PhD Coordinator that will serve a two-year term, with the option to renew it for another two years. The PhD Coordinator is also the representative for the group to the Doctoral Executive Committee.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Students are expected to spend full-time on their coursework and research during the first two years of the program. In subsequent years, students are expected to work with faculty, preferably as research assistants or co-authors, thereby gaining the experience required to be successful researchers. Students are also required to TA a core course (any alternatives will need to be approved by the PhD Coordinator) each in their 3rd year and 4th year of the program as a funding requirement. Other activities that further the student’s research careers are encouraged, subject to the approval of the doctoral coordinator (this includes teaching assistant positions). Failure to communicate with the doctoral coordinator about a research assistant or teaching job may result in cancellation of your scholarship.

Get the Details.

Visit the Applied Economics site for details on program requirements and courses. Read faculty and student research and bios to see what you can do with an Applied Economics PhD.

PhD in Economics

You are here: american university college of arts & sciences economics phd in economics.

• Request Info

Are you interested in…

Explore more.

Are you interested in...

202-885-3770

Fax: 202-885-3790

[email protected]

Kreeger , Room 104 on a map

Back to top

PhD in Economics At a Glance

• 45 credit hours of course work, completed in as little as 2.5 years.
• Study diverse theoretical perspectives, including post-Keynesian, intuitionalist, evolutionary, and feminist economics.
• Tailor your field coursework to best match your research interests.
• Designated as a STEM degree program 
• Program Director: Professor Nathan Larson .

Tailor Your Degree to Your Research Interests

Offering a combination of rigorous technical training and a focus on policy-relevant research, our PhD in Economics will prepare you for careers in academics, research, and government. Our students master economic theory, statistical methods, and applied field knowledge. Then, through the dissertation-writing process, they develop the ability to formulate and empirically answer economic questions.  

• Diverse Perspectives : In addition to a strong foundation in macro and micro theory and econometrics, students learn a more diverse perspective on economics through required courses in economic thought and economic history, as well as optional courses in heterodox theoretical models of economics, including post-Keynesian, intuitionalist, evolutionary, and feminist economics.
• Flexibility : Students choose four applied field courses that best fit their research interests. The department offers a wide selection of concentrations, including courses in development, gender, international, labor, macro/monetary, and other applied micro topics.
• Preparation : Students must successfully pass one comprehensive exam at the end of their first year and produce a journal-quality research paper by the end of their third year. The third-year paper typically serves as a key component of the dissertation, giving students an advanced start on the dissertation writing process.

See complete Admissions and Program Requirements .

Faculty Dedicated to Your Success

At AU, you will take classes from and work with a diverse group of esteemed economists and highly cited scholars who are engaged with practitioners and policymakers around the world. Their wide-ranging research and publications , along with the variety of methodological approaches they use, create a rich environment for innovations in theory and empirical studies. 

Our research centers, including the Program on Gender Analysis in Economics and Infometrics Institute , host guest scholars and research projects, further enhancing the opportunities for graduate students. By working as research assistants and teaching assistants, PhD students gain valuable experience and mentorship in an academic setting.  

Throughout their third year and into the fourth, students work closely with a faculty member of their choosing on their third-year paper and dissertation proposal, eventually adding other experts to their dissertation committee to gain additional insights and expertise. Through this process, students develop lasting collegial, and productive relationships with faculty, classmates and economists at DC-area institutions, often co-authoring and publishing.  

Launch Your Career Amongst Top Economists 

The Washington metropolitan area employs over one-third of all economists in the country. The array of intellectual and professional opportunities offered by the nation's capital make American University the ideal place to study economics. The department's strategic partnerships and our faculty's relationships with nearby institutions will help you make the best use of those opportunities.

Internship and employment opportunities:

• The World Bank 
• International Monetary Fund
• Research institutes
• Think Tanks and NGOs
• US Treasury, Labor, and Commerce Departments 

Economics PhD graduates are well qualified for careers in academia, government agencies, and international organizations. Our students receive career mentorship and placement services that lead to careers in public policy, academia, and government, both domestically and abroad.

Many of our graduates go on to academic posts at universities such as the Saint Louis University, the University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Franklin College. Domestically, graduates have served in congress and government agencies, including the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Labor. Our alumni working outside of the US have founded research institutions and consulted for major organizations such as CGIAR-CIP and the United Nations. 

Read more career information about AU economics alumni.

See the 2017-8 list of job market candidates .

News & Notes

See abstracts from the 2024  Third Year Paper Conference .

Research Seminar Series Wednesdays at noon.

• PhD candidate Amy Burnett Cross received an EHA Dissertation Fellowship from the EHA Committee on Research in Economic History
• PhD student Danielle Wilson was awarded an Economic History Association grant for archival research on Mexican Railroads.
• PhD student Aina Puig's short essay, " The Unequal Effect of Interest Rates by Race, Gender, " was published in the San Francisco Fed's Economic Letter.
• Professor Bernhard Gunter and PhD students Bong Sun Seo & Farah Tasneem were awarded the  International Award for Excellence for their article on the change in labor force participation rates during periods of globalization and marginalization. 

Student Spotlights

More about Aina

San Francisco Federal Reserve Board’s essay contest  called for papers studying economic impacts of gender and racial inequalities. As a winner, Aina’s paper will be published in the Federal Reserve Board’s Economic Letter and will have the opportunity to participate in a 6-week summer research program.

Aina’s paper focused on the impact of monetary policy, through interest rates, on spending patterns among types of U.S. households—those with mortgages, those with women versus men as head of household, and those headed by White versus Black people. By building on her interest in macroeconomic inequality topics with direct policy implications, she intended (and continues to intend) to fill a gap in the literature, adding to the income inequality narrative by bringing gender and racial inequalities to the forefront of discussion.

Through this project, she was able to not only establish the impact of monetary policy shocks on consumption patterns, but also inform the Federal Reserve Board of these distributional impacts. When discussing her research, Aina states that “promoting equal opportunity and understanding the different impacts of policies can help policymakers create policies that promote economic growth while benefitting all groups’ well-being in society.”

Her interest in analyzing inequality topics through lens of distributional effects of macroeconomic policies came to life during her research for this paper and “ties directly into [her] plans for [her] dissertation…, a good starting point for [her] future research.”

Vasudeva Ramaswamy

More about Vasudeva

Economics PhD candidate Vasudeva Ramaswamy credits American University with helping him zero in on his area of research interest and for equipping him with the tools to explore and contribute to his field. 

During his time at AU, Vasu spent two summers working with the World Bank, studying the impact of agricultural aggregators in East Africa — specifically, how they provided income and security to farmer communities. 

Vasu’s dissertation considers the effects of the Federal Reserve Bank’s actions on household inequality. Who gains and who loses when the Fed increases (or decreases) interest rates? And how do these effects propagate through the economy? Because business income and profits play a key role in household inequality, Vasu looks at how businesses respond to the actions of the Fed. 

After he earns his PhD, Vasu says he would love to be able to continue researching the importance of economic heterogeneity in monetary policy transmission. “I am particularly grateful for AU’s faculty, who are leading experts in their field and approachable and encouraging as mentors,” he adds. “I am equally grateful for the rest of my PhD cohort, who are a brilliant and motivated group. I am learning from them continually.”

Elissa Cohen

More about Elissa

Economics PhD candidate Elissa Cohen received an NSF grant to pursue her research about assumptions people make about risk and, building off an idea from a previous project, Elissa continues her interest in the Value of Statistical Life in this one to question the validity of how VSL is used and estimated. In doing so, she contributes to development of a more complete theory of how perceptions of risk guide decision making.

Elissa asks three questions: (1) Is the construct validity of the VSL consistent across measurement approaches? (2) Do people value the mitigation of varying types of fatality risk differently across domains? (3) Do people accurately comprehend the probability of death in a given setting?

To answer these questions, Elissa uses discrete choice experimental (DCE) designs, self-report surveys, and machine learning techniques to evaluate the validity of the VSL as an assessment how people’s risk assessment shapes behavior.

This research improves the understanding of how people perceive fatality risk across domains and how perceptions impact choices about risk exposure. With this research comes the potential to reshape how regulatory agencies construct their aggregated VSL estimates for future cost-benefit analyses, influencing policy decisions and allocation of scarce federal resources.

As she thinks about impact and the research space she can contribute to and develop, Elissa comments, “AU has definitely helped me refine the types of questions I am interested in answering…. I see myself continuing to explore and test feedback loops between emergent human behaviors and macro-level policy decision-making.”

Amy Burnett Cross

More about Amy

Amy Burnett Cross has been selected as one of the three NBER Pre-Doctoral Fellows in the Gender in the Economy program to support her dissertation research on the influence of military policy on the sorting of women into occupations. Through this research, she is able to include her knowledge from AU’s Program on Gender Analysis in Economics as well as her understanding that by bringing more insight from conservative institutions into her research realm, she could enhance the policy space of gender equity.

As she continues her career, Amy desires to conduct research that is directly applicable to policymakers, and through her research on this project, Amy has the chance to do this in addition to engaging with economic history and begin to invest more time in the historical arc of military policy and gender dynamics.

She has three focuses for her dissertation project: (1) evaluate the impact of lifting the ban on women in combat (in 2013) on civilian occupational desegregation; (2) measure the extent to which gender desegregation of the Army (in 1977) signaled a shift in the appropriate role of civilian women at work; and (3) assess whether the structure of the U.S. draft in WWI (in 1917) contributed to the development of the male breadwinner norm.

Amy’s work aims to provide evidence that policy changes can influence social norms constraining women’s work and occupational segregation, particularly in discovering how policies regarding women’s participation in the military go on to influence gender gaps in civilian labor market outcomes. In doing so, Amy also seeks to contribute to the research of information asymmetry as a cause for occupational segregation—does military gender desegregation function as a reduction of information asymmetry?

With the support and accommodation of her peers, professors, and advisor, Mary E. Hansen, Amy has been able to focus on her academic excellence and develop close friendships and bonds during her journey at AU. In discussing her work in gender economics and the community at American University, Amy offered, “AU attracts women economists and I have found some truly excellent ones here.”

Please send me information about PhD in Economics

It looks like you already used that name and address to request information for one or more AU graduate program(s).

If you have not previously requested AU graduate program information, create a new request

• Skip to Content
• Catalog Home
• Institution Home
• Graduate Catalog /
• The Wharton School /

Applied Economics, PhD

Combining the faculties of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics & Public Policy, Wharton’s Applied Economics program leverages the breadth and depth of its faculty to prepare students for careers doing frontier theoretical and empirical research. Students can focus on a variety of areas including Behavioral Economics, Development Economics, Energy and Environmental Economics, Industrial Organization, Market Design, Public Economics, Risk Management, and Urban Economics and Real Estate. Students may also develop an inter-disciplinary focus by taking courses and working with faculty in some of the other departments at Wharton such as Finance, Health Care Management, Management, and Marketing.

For more information: https://doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu/programs-of-study/applied-economics/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

The course of study for the Ph.D. in Applied Economics requires the completion of 15 graduate course units. The common core consists of 3 theory courses and 3 statistics/econometrics courses. Students are also expected to master two field areas by passing two courses in each (total of 4 courses units). The remaining course units necessary to achieve 15 are split between the mandatory graduate student research seminars and other electives.

Students may also take STAT 9210 , STAT 5200 , and STAT 5210 .

Taken in the Spring and Fall of years 2 and 3 for 0.5 cu each

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Print Options

Print this page.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

A PDF of the entire 2023-24 catalog.

A PDF of the 2023-24 Undergraduate catalog.

A PDF of the 2023-24 Graduate catalog.

Apply     MyCAS

• Applied Economics Seminar Series
• Applied Economics Working Group Sessions
• AEC Pedagogy Seminar Series
• Calendar of Events
• Make a Gift
• Agricultural and Food Business Management Major
• Environmental Economics and Policy Major
• Agricultural and Food Business Management Minor
• Environmental Economics and Policy Minor
• Environmental Law and Policy Minor
• Transfer Students
• Internships
• Course-Based Undergraduate Research
• International Experiences
• Weekly Student Info
• What is the AMP
• Who Should Apply
• Curriculum at a Glance
• Costs and Funding / How to Apply
• Graduate Handbook
• Doctorate Degree (PhD)
• Master's Degree (MS/MA)
• Minor Requirements
• Financial Support
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Living in Oregon
• Job Market Candidates
• Past Placements
• Student Publications
• Current Students
• Outreach and Extension Resources and Programs
• Applied Economics Extension Specialists
• Graduate Faculty Economists in Other OSU Units
• Professional Faculty & Staff
• Instructors
• Departmental Help and Support
• Graduate Program
• Graduate Programs

Applied Economics PhD

The Applied Economics PhD program provides training valuable for success in academic, analytical, and policy positions. Students focus on quantitative economic analysis of problems and policies in areas primarily related to agriculture, natural resources and the environment, trade, development, energy, marine and coastal resources, and health care. Our graduate program learning outcomes are here .

The program emphasizes rigorous immersion in economic theory, econometrics and other quantitative methods, and in their uses and applications in the student’s concentration areas. The curriculum draws on core courses offered within the Applied Economics graduate program – and on concentration and elective courses from the Applied Economics Department, the Colleges of Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, and the School of Public Health.

The Applied Economics PhD program prepares students for careers in academia, consulting, and government and in financial services and other industries.

The Graduate Program Director (currently Dr. David Kling ) acts as the temporary advisor for students beginning PhD studies. Students are strongly encouraged to find a permanent advisor/major professor by winter quarter of their second year. Ideally this is the same as the advisor for the empirical paper, but it does not need to be. The Director will provide guidance on the first year 1 courses that will be suitable to the program requirements and to the student’s background and interests.

The Applied Economics PhD program is committed to diversity . 

The overall program consists of five components:

(1) Core courses in microeconomic and quantitative methods

(2) Two concentration areas, each with a minimum three-course requirement

(3) Elective courses

(4) An empirical research paper written during the student's second year, and

(5) Dissertation research

Students must receive a B or higher in all courses meant to fulfill PhD program requirements. PhD program completion time is normally four years.

--------------------------------

Core Courses  ( course catalog )

AEC 512 Microeconomic Theory 

AEC 525 Applied Econometrics 

AEC 611 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I 

AEC 612 Advanced Microeconomic Theory II 

AEC 625 Advanced Econometrics I

AEC 626 Advanced Econometrics II 

AEC 627 Computational Economics 

GRAD 520 Responsible Conduct of Research 

Concentration Courses 

Concentrations available in the Applied Economics Program are: (a) Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, (b) Development Economics, and (c) An open concentration area developed in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. 

Students are required to complete two concentrations.  Each should include at least three courses, two of which must be at the 600 (PhD) level.  Concentration courses in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics and in Development Economics will be offered in alternate years.

The following courses ( course catalog )  are relevant to the two defined concentration areas:

Natural Resource and Environmental Economics 

AEC 550 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

AEC 651 Advanced Natural Resource Economics

AEC 652 Advanced Environmental Economics

AEC 653 Empirical Environmental and Resource Economics

Development Economics 

ECON 555 Economic Development

AEC 640 Sustainable Development

AEC 643 Advanced Topics in Development Economics

Electives and Dissertation

A total minimum of 108 credits (500 or 600 level) are needed to complete the PhD program, of which at least 36 must be PhD dissertation credits.   The minimum number of elective credits needed for the degree will be that required – together with the core, concentration, and dissertation credits – to fulfill the 108-credit total minimum. Some examples of previous student dissertations are here . 

Some example elective classes include (see the Graduate Handbook for more examples): 

Forestry Policy

FOR 531 Economics & Policy of Wildland Fire

FOR 534 Economics of Forest Resource

FE 640 Combinatorial Optimization

MTH 528 Stochastic Elements in Mathematical Biology

Health Economics

H 638 Public & Private Health Insurance

H 659 Health Policy Research Methods II

H 632 Applied Health Economics

Data Science

AEC 555 Program Evaluation

ST 537 Data Visualization

ST 538 Modern Statistical Methods for Large and Complex Datasets

ST 543 Applied Stochastic Models

CS 534 Machine Learning

Program Requirements

To be advanced to candidacy, the student must pass a written preliminary examination (at the end of the first year), write an empirical research paper during the second year, and pass a comprehensive oral qualifying examination (no later than fall of the third year).

Written Preliminary Exam

The written preliminary exam focuses on the microeconomic theory courses taken during the first year, together with applications of the theory covered in the first-year econometrics and quantitative methods courses. Microeconomic Theory III (AEC 613) taken in the second year and Computational Economics (AEC 627), taken in the second year, are not tested on the written preliminary exam.

Second Year Research Paper

All PhD students are expected to complete a research project during their second year in the program. Each student will register for AEC 606 (Special Projects) for each quarter of the second year – 1 credit in the fall and 3 credits in the winter and spring term. The purpose of the empirical project is for PhD students to begin thinking about research and identifying potential advisors and topics early in the program, and to produce a research paper that provides evidence on an original idea. Each student should identify an AEC graduate faculty member to advise the development of the paper. However, ultimately the research paper is the responsibility of the student, though a collaborative effort with the faculty advisor is acceptable. The faculty advisor is the principal source of feedback on the paper and students are strongly encouraged to identify a faculty advisor by the beginning of their second year. This faculty member may, but does not have to, eventually become the student’s permanent dissertation advisor. Similarly, the chosen topic may, but does not have to, develop into (part of) the student’s dissertation topic. The organization of AEC 606 is meant to provide each student with guidance and a set of deadlines to help facilitate completion of the project. There are multiple hard deadlines that will be enforced. The purpose of the deadlines is to ensure steady progress is made throughout the year.

Comprehensive Oral Qualifying Exam

After the student has identified a major professor, assembled a committee, and filed a program of study, he/she must pass the comprehensive oral qualifying examination (no later than fall of the third year). The oral exam has two components: a) A proposal of the student’s intended dissertation research; and b) An oral exam covering all of the student’s core and field course work up to the time of the exam. Once the student passes this exam, he/she is advanced to PhD candidacy.

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

PhD Program

Wharton’s highly selective Ph.D. program in Applied Economics offers students many resources not available at other institutions, such as a 1:1 faculty to student ratio and an up-front guarantee of five years of funding with minimal teaching requirements. Combining the faculties of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics & Public Policy, Wharton’s Applied Economics program leverages the breadth and depth of its faculty to prepare students for careers doing frontier theoretical and empirical research. Students can focus on a variety of areas including Behavioral Economics, Development Economics, Energy and Environmental Economics, Industrial Organization, Market Design, Public Economics, Risk Management, and Urban Economics and Real Estate. Students may also develop an inter-disciplinary focus by taking courses and working with faculty in some of the other departments at Wharton such as Finance, Health Care Management, Management, and Marketing.

All admitted students are granted a fellowship, including tuition, fees, and stipend.  Details about the application process, deadlines and requirements are available here

Program Requirements

Prospective students interested in pursuing a degree in Applied Economics  must apply for admission to the Wharton Doctoral Programs in Applied Economics.

Applicants may, if they wish, indicate a preferred field of study in their application. All applicants must provide valid test scores — the Applied Economics program accepts only the GRE. We do not require a minimum GRE score, however math scores among students admitted in the last few years were all above the 90 th percentile. In making our decision, we look at your GRE scores as well as the rest of your application: grades, coursework, work and research experience, essays, and recommendation.

We recommend at least three courses in mathematics, such as calculus, linear algebra, and real analysis, and at least three courses in statistics/econometrics. We prefer an economics undergraduate degree along with the math requirements noted above or a math/statistics degree with several courses in economics (at least up through intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics).

Course Information

• Course Descriptions
• Course Schedule
• Doctoral Inside: Resources for Current Phd Students

More Information

• Applied Economics Faculty
• Phd Photo Gallery
• Prospective Students to Phd Program in Applied Economics
• Job Market Placement

PhD in Applied Economics

The PhD program is small and focused, with students concentrating in one field of specialization. Fewer than ten students enter the program each year. Students may concentrate in either industrial organization, competition policy, and regulatory economics; or labor economics. Each field is covered in two semester courses at the PhD level. Students who elect the industrial organization, competition policy, and regulatory economics field may further elect a second field in transportation economics. Admission from the Bachelor’s level requires taking the MA core courses and two additional elective courses plus the PhD requirements.

The PhD program is  STEM  certified covering a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. ( The IPEDS classification:   Detail for CIP Code 45.0603    Title: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics)

The field of  Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics  analyzes and evaluates the performance of markets and devises appropriate policy responses when markets are not performing well. By developing techniques for examining the structure, conduct, and performance of markets, it bridges economic theory and the real world. In addition, it helps to develop and implement antitrust and regulatory policies to remedy failures of those markets. Students specializing in industrial organization may further elect a second field in transportation economics.

The field of Labor Economics analyzes the neoclassical labor market, covering such topics as the supply of labor from the perspective of the individual and the family, human capital. The demand for labor, market equilibrium, and the determination and distribution of wages and earnings are analyzed. Theoretical and empirical issues surrounding current topics in labor economics are examined, and may include discrimination, efficiency wage theory, labor legislation, life cycle analysis and the use of microdata (panel studies), search behavior, intergenerational earnings mobility, and employment and training policies.

Silvia Prina

Associate professor of economics.

Silvia Prina is a development economist interested in understanding the behavior of poor households for the purpose of uncovering potential strategies to improve their lives. Her first set of papers investigates how financial access, particularly via…

Contact: Northeastern University 360 Huntington Avenue 301 Lake Hall Boston, MA 02115-5000 phone: 617.373.2871 fax: 617.373.3640

email: [email protected]  

• Follow us on Twitter

Type of Program

Get more information about this graduate program., more programs, bachelor of arts (b.a.) in economics, bachelor of science (b.s.) in economics, combined majors, masters of science in economics, plusone accelerated master’s program economics.

PhD Program

Year after year, our top-ranked PhD program sets the standard for graduate economics training across the country. Graduate students work closely with our world-class faculty to develop their own research and prepare to make impactful contributions to the field.

Our doctoral program enrolls 20-24 full-time students each year and students complete their degree in five to six years. Students undertake core coursework in microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics, and are expected to complete two major and two minor fields in economics. Beyond the classroom, doctoral students work in close collaboration with faculty to develop their research capabilities, gaining hands-on experience in both theoretical and empirical projects.

How to apply

Students are admitted to the program once per year for entry in the fall. The online application opens on September 15 and closes on December 15.

Meet our students

Our PhD graduates go on to teach in leading economics departments, business schools, and schools of public policy, or pursue influential careers with organizations and businesses around the world. 

About the Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. Program in Economics at UCLA prepares students for careers as economists in academia, business and government. The program combines rigorous work in economic theory and careful study of real-world problems and institutions. Graduates from this program work at major universities around the world, national and international government agencies, banks, research centers and in private businesses. Some of our graduates have achieved great prominence, such as William Sharpe , who earned both his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees at UCLA, and was co-recipient of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on the capital asset pricing model.

The department includes internationally recognized scholars in economic theory, econometrics, and all the major applied fields. These outstanding scholars form one of the foremost departments of economics in the world.

The Economics Department is situated within one of the world’s most youthful and vibrant universities. Founded in 1919, UCLA first developed into a major university in the 1950’s. After so short a history, the university was ranked second in the United States among public research universities by the Conference Board of Associated Research Councils in 1982. Thirty-one of its Ph.D. programs are currently ranked in the top 20 in their field–third best in the nation.

The Ph.D. is the degree objective of the graduate program. This degree is awarded to students who demonstrate professional competence by passing written qualifying exams and by completing a major piece of individual research (the Ph.D. dissertation).

Preparation for the qualifying exams through coursework and independent study occupies most student time for the first two years. Thereafter the focus shifts to independent research and finally to the writing of a Ph.D. dissertation. Research in progress by our graduate students as well as our faculty is presented at workshops that meet weekly throughout the academic year. Currently, the Dept. has workshops in Theory and Mathematical Economics, International and Development Economics, Labor and Population Economics, Business Organization and Regulation Economics, Economic History, Econometrics, and Monetary Theory. In addition, many graduate students work as research or teaching assistants for faculty members. The normal time to degree is six years.

This degree program classifies as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics).

UCLA Department of Economics

8283 Bunche Hall Mail Stop: 147703 Los Angeles, CA 90095

Campus Resources

• Academic Calendar
• Maps, Directions, Parking
• University of California
• Terms of Use
• Injury & Illness Prevention Program

Internal Resources Manager’s Manual Admin Login Webmail (O365 Server) Contact Webmaster

• About the Department
• Administration
• Board of Visitors
• Department Newsletters
• Ladder Faculty
• Courtesy Faculty
• In Memoriam
• Recent Publications
• Research Spotlight
• Economics Major
• Business Economics Major
• Declare our Majors
• Degree Planning
• Benjamin Graham Value Investing Program
• Enrollment Procedures
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Student Wellness & Community
• Department of Economics Commencement 2023
• Course Descriptions
• Economics Class Schedule
• Learning Objectives
• Common Syllabus
• Non-UCLA Course Credit
• Econ Summer Courses for 2024
• Departmental Honors
• Departmental Scholar
• Departmental Scholarships
• Career Pathways
• Fellowships
• Career Center
• Internships
• Research Opportunities
• Preparing for a Ph.D. in Economics
• EDI Courses in Economics
• EDI Research
• EDI Resources for Students
• Incoming Undergraduates
• Why Study Economics?
• Freshmen Information
• Transfers Information
• Economics Courses
• Graduate Handbook
• Graduate Student Awards
• Standards and Procedures
• Second Year
• Thesis Writing
• TA Resources
• Job Market Prep
• Grad Econ Association
• Computing Resources
• Placement History
• Job Market Candidates
• Graduate Counseling Office
• Commencement videos
• Alumni Career Engagement
• UCLA Alumni Affairs
• Update Your Information
• Alumni Interviews
• Women in Business
• Proseminars

Search Utah State University:

Economics (applied economics department) - phd.

About This Degree

The PhD in economics gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in research. The program emphasizes applied economic theory and quantitative analysis, and students can focus their studies in environmental and natural resource economics, agricultural economics, or regional economic development.

What You Will Learn

PhD graduates have had opportunities to work on research projects funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Education, among others. Many graduates have published refereed journal articles that stem from their graduate work in scholarly journals.

Specialization:

Climate adaptation science (economics phd):.

The Climate Adaptation Science specialization provides students with experiences in actionable science through internship and research experiences. Program includes interdisciplinary research to identify adaptive responses to changing climate extremes and two-part internships with agency, NGO, and industry partners. In a first internship, students contribute to projects and learn the workplace cultures and science needs of the host. The internship experiences inform interdisciplinary climate adaptation research by student teams. In a second internship, students share science results and tools with the host organization and help put that science into action.

At a Glance

College: College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department: Applied Economics Department

USU Locations:

• Logan campus

Faculty: View profiles of faculty members on the department directory .

Program Requirements

• Update this page

Career And Outcomes

Career opportunities.

While graduates primarily pursue careers in research and academia, this degree also prepares students for positions in:

• Private consulting firms
• Regional and national policy-making agencies
• Private, not-for-profit organizations
• Community/regional economic planning and development agencies

Job Outlook

Request for information and advising, man-keun kim.

Professor, Director of Graduate Studies Email: [email protected] Office: AGRS 220A Phone: (435) 797-2359

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission Requirements

Prerequisite course work for the phd in economics:.

M.S. in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Economics, Environmental/Natural Resource Economics, or a closely related degree.

Or at a minimum evidence of the following coursework:

• Microeconomic Principles
• Intermediate Microeconomics
• Basic Econometrics

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements .

The department has the following application deadline for students wishing to receive funding:

• Fall semester –January 31

The deadline for admission without funding is:

• Fall semester – June 30

PhD candidates are accepted in odd years only.

Students must take a qualifying examination at the end of their first year. It is composed of two, four-hour exams covering 1) microeconomics and 2) econometrics and quantitative methods.

Both exams must be passed before moving on to the second year of study.

Financial Aid

The department offers a limited amount of competitive research assistantships and tuition awards . As the availability of these assistantships varies from year to year, students should check with the department for more information.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website .

Take The Next Step

How to apply.

View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.

Request Information

Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.

Cost and Funding

Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.

You May Also Be Interested In

Agribusiness

Study agribusiness at one of the top agricultural colleges in the world.

Applied Economics

Earn an applied degree where you can prepare for a career in economics with a wide variety of companies and organizations.

Study theories of economics and prepare yourself for an impressive PhD program in economics and finance as you earn your master’s degree.

Economics and Statistics

Earn a degree that can prepare you for a prestigious PhD program in economics or qualify you for a career as a statistical analyst.

• Utility Menu

44d3fa3df9f06a3117ed3d2ad6c71ecc

• Administration
• PhD Program

The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

• Program Requirements
• Job Placement
• Financial Support

Job Placements: MS & PhD in Applied Economics

Graduate students of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management are actively recruited by U.S. and foreign universities for academic positions. They also hold high-profile positions in state and federal government agencies, international agencies, such as the World Bank and the United Nations, and at leading companies in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Recent PhD Job Placements

Recent ms job placements, mps careers, student spotlight, maulik jagnani.

Bombay, India

Ph.D., International and Development Economics with a focus on behavioral economics and applied econometrics

IFMR Centre for Micro Finance/MIT Poverty Action Lab (2012-2014)

Program Description

The PhD program in Applied Economics develops students who are well-trained in economic theory and its empirical application to research in a variety of fields. Applicants to the program should have a strong economic and quantitative background.

Fields in agricultural economics, agribusiness, economic development, and agricultural and environmental economics are offered. Coursework in these fields is generally undertaken in the second and third years of study, with the goal of developing a significant research program leading to successful completion of the dissertation within four or five years.

PhD in Economics

PhD students take 16 courses, roughly half of which are spent acquiring the core analytic tools of the profession (microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods), with the balance spent applying those tools in particular fields of specialization. All PhD students must complete a doctoral dissertation (thesis).

The PhD in Economics is a STEM designated degree program.

View the complete PhD Rules here

Program Requirements

Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 16 semester courses (64 credits). They are required to successfully complete the core courses by the end of the first year.

Theory and Quantitative Core Requirements

These core courses must be passed by the end of the first year with a grade of at least B- in each course.

• EC 701 Advanced Microeconomics I (4 credits)
• EC 702 Advanced Macroeconomics I (4 credits)
• EC 703 Advanced Microeconomics II (4 credits)
• EC 704 Advanced Macroeconomics II (4 credits)
• EC 707 Advanced Statistics for Economists (4 credits)
• EC 708 Advanced Econometrics I (4 credits)

Students must also take EC 705 Mathematical Economics in the first semester, unless a waiver is granted, and EC 709 Advanced Econometrics II (4 credits) in the third semester.

In addition, students must pass a qualifying examination in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students have at most three opportunities to take the qualifying examinations; failing may result in termination from the PhD program.

Field Requirements

All students must pass 2 2-course fields, each with a minimum grade average of B.

In addition, students must take at least 2 other courses. The following fields are generally offered each year:

• Development
• Econometrics
• Economic Theory
• Empirical Finance
• Financial Econometrics
• Industrial Organization
• International Economics
• Labor Economics
• Money/Macroeconomics
• Public Economics

GPA Requirements

All courses must be passed with a grade of B– or higher. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be attained in all courses taken after enrollment in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Time Requirement

The PhD program is designed so that a typical student can complete all requirements within 5 to 6 years. International students may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the terms of their visas, as governed by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).

Students are expected to meet the following milestones each year:

By the end of the 1st year:

• Finish and pass all core first-year courses, as well as EC 705 (unless exempted through placement exam).
• Sit for the first attempt at the micro and macro qualifying exams in June. The second attempt, if necessary, is in August.

By the end of the 2nd year:

• Pass EC 709, a required course in Advanced Econometrics.
• Continue and, if possible, complete remaining coursework, including a two-course sequence in each of two fields. A B average (3.0) is required in each of the field course sequence.
• Achieve an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
• If both qualifiers are not passed, the third and final attempt is in June of the second year.
• Each student must prepare a research paper during the second year and the following summer. By April 1 of the second year, the student must ask a faculty member to serve as an advisor on this paper; have this faculty member agree to serve in this manner; and inform the DGS of the topic of the paper and the advisor’s name. The paper is due in the third year as described below.

By the end of the 3rd year:

• Submit the second-year paper by October 1. By October 15, the faculty advisor must provide (i) a grade for the paper; and (ii) a brief written evaluation the paper. These documents will be sent to the DGS and the student. A student must receive a passing grade on the research paper.
• Complete all coursework with GPA of at least 3.0.
• Continue work on research for the dissertation.
• Attend and present at least annually in one of the research workshops until completion of all degree requirements.

Years 4, 5, and (if necessary) 6:

• Student carries out thesis research, defending the thesis no later than the end of the sixth year.

Dissertation

Under the supervision of two faculty advisers, a student prepares a dissertation proposal for presentation at a proposal seminar. If the proposal is approved, the student proceeds to research and write the dissertation. When the dissertation is completed, the student must defend it at a final oral examination. The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences requires that the dissertation be completed within seven years of initial enrollment in the program.

For more details, view the complete PhD Rules here and check out our past PhD Placements here .

AAE Ph.D. Program

Please Join Us

Virtual PhD Information Session: November 20, 9-10 am US Central Time

The AAE Ph.D. program provides a rigorous background in economic theory and analysis, combined with applied economics courses in the areas of Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Community Economics. Students will enjoy small class sizes, a supportive atmosphere, and strong relationships with their major advisor and the AAE community.

The program takes 4-5 years to complete. The Ph.D. curriculum relies on the doctoral core in theory and econometrics offered by Wisconsin’s outstanding and highly ranked Department of Economics . When matched with the department’s applied courses,  students learn how to use advanced methods to conceptualize and answer contemporary economic problems. This strong core training prepares students for a variety of challenging careers .

Required Coursework:

Microeconomics Theory I (Econ 711, 3 credits) Microeconomic Theory II (Econ 713, 3 credits) Macroeconomic Theory (Econ 712, 3 credits)

• Statistics and Econometrics (6 credits) Economic Statistics (Econ 709, 3 credits) Econometrics (Econ 710, 3 credits)
• Major field courses (9 credits) 3 courses from advanced applied economics area courses
• Minor field courses (9 credits) 3 courses from one outside department or 3 courses from two or more departments z
• AAE 780: Research Colloquium, 3 credits
• 51 credits are required for the PhD. After coursework, the remainder of credits are taken as independent research credits, AAE 990, 15 credits.

Active department seminar and workshop series complement formal classroom instruction.

Preliminary examinations are required in microeconomic theory and a major field. The microeconomic theory prelim is administered and graded by the faculty in Economics. Students receiving grades of B or better in the microeconomic theory core can choose not to sit for the prelim. Pass rates for AAE students have historically been around 85%. The major field prelim is administered and graded by the AAE faculty.

The Ph.D. also requires a dissertation. Most students’ dissertation work includes a period of primary data collection and field work either in this country or abroad, often in the developing world.

Accepted candidates are offered funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships or Fellowships.

The following video features an AAE Ph.D. student and his research.

• Admissions More
• Courses More
• Handbook More
• Placement More
• Funding More

PhD student research

Poverty alleviation

AAE PhD student Qinan Lu looks at impacts of residential relocation on rural household efficiency.

Conflict and learning

PhD student Osaretin Olurotimi uses spatial data to analyze the effect of conflict on learning outcomes of children in Uganda.

Award-winning research

Gaurav Doshi receives the 2022 PhD Bromley Paper Prize for research on short and long-run effects of electricity grid expansion.

Social norms & economics

Sakina Shibuya works on a project in Pakistan looking at roles of social norms on decisions to hire women in the garment industry.

Wetland ecosystems

Nicole Karwowski, left, studies how wetland ecosystems improve crop yields and create climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Crime & economic shocks

Itzel De Haro Lopez studies the effect of NAFTA on violence and economic growth in Mexico's avocado sector.

Scholar research award

Vikas Gawai was selected by the Center for Financial Security to be a Junior Scholar chosen for his research on social security.

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Economics

Please note that we are not accepting applicants for the Fall 2024 cohort.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in applied economics in the Department of Economics at Western Michigan University is designed to meet the needs of future high-level practicing economists in non-academic and academia settings . The Ph.D. program is intended to be completed within four years.

NOTE:  Our Ph.D. in Applied Economics has the following CIP Code: 45.0603

The Department of Economics has faculty demonstrating a wide range of research interests with a common theme of applied research. The faculty uses state-of-the-art economic theory and empirical methods to address a myriad of applied economic problems.

Program requirements

Components of the doctoral program

The WMU Ph.D. program in applied economics develops skills required for applied research and prepares doctorates for their first job in academia.

Workshops and internships

WMU's program retains a core curriculum as is required by traditional Ph.D. programs in economics, but also requires participation in applied economics workshops and allows the completion of an internship in a non-academic organization.

During an internship, students report to an employee of the organization and a Department of Economics faculty member. The internship gives students the incentive and opportunity to apply knowledge of economic theory and empirical methods to the actual problems faced by an organization. The internship may provide the subject of the dissertation and therefore send graduates into the job market with a somewhat different orientation than that of graduates from traditional programs.

For admission to the Ph.D. program in applied economics, students must satisfy all the criteria identified in the graduate catalog . In addition, the Department of Economics requires:

• GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). Note: Students in our most recently admitted Ph.D. class had an average verbal GRE of 146, an average quantitative GRE of 158, and an average analytical GRE of 3.2.  We do not have a minimum required GRE.
• Intermediate level microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory.
• One year of calculus.
• A personal statement discussing career plans.
• Three letters of reference from persons in a position to assess your qualifications for doctoral-level study and likelihood of successful completion of the Ph.D. degree.

Meet our students

The Department of Economics has a diverse student body with students from all over the world. Our doctoral students have opportunities to teach undergraduate classes, attend conferences and conduct research both independently and in collaboration with faculty.

Our Ph.D. alumni have established successful careers and lives. Check out current job positions of some of our Ph.D. alumni .

Contact Dr. Christine Moser , director of graduate programs, for additional information.

Our Ph.D. program

We are in the process of updating our ph.d. student planning guide. if you have questions in the meantime, please email amy guerin at [email protected] ., admissions requirements.

Requirements for applying are:  

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 base for the last two years of undergraduate studies or satisfactory performance at the graduate level.
• GRE scores (Verbal score of at least 30th percentile and a quantitative score of 50th percentile or higher)
• A minimum of three reference letters
• 1-2 paged Personal Statement
• A minimum TOFEL score of 90 on the internet-based test (iBT) with subscores of at least 20 in each area for students whose primary language is not English.  An IELTS score of 6.5 is also acceptable for this admission requirement.

Areas of specialization:

Applied econometrics.

Applying econometric tools to quantify and address societal problems. This field focuses on applying advanced econometric tools to address a broad range of economic problems with a strong focus on computational methods and programming. Students will become proficient in a variety of statistical software packages, such as R, Matlab, and STATA, and learn to build their own "custom-tailored" algorithms to solve applied econometric problems. Students can take courses in both advanced econometric theory and applied methods. The latter include nonlinear optimization, panel data econometrics, time series analysis, and Bayesian econometrics. Additional elective courses, such as time series analysis, nonparametric methods, and spatial statistics are available through the Department of Statistics. The analytical skills acquired through the applied econometrics field combine well with any of the other field areas offered in the department.  For this reason, Ph.D. students often choose Applied Econometrics as one of their main fields.

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

Evaluation of the economic impact of environmental and resource problems and policies. This field focuses on the economic implications of environmental and natural resource issues and policies.  Students who choose environmental and resource economics as one of their Ph.D. fields will take two field courses - “Environmental Economic Theory and Policy Analysis” and “Dynamic Optimization and Natural Resource Economics”. The first course develops the theoretical foundation for environmental and natural resource policy designs and covers externalities, public goods, property rights, and the design of optimal environmental and natural resource policies. Research projects by recent Ph.D. students include public preferences for forest protection from invasive infection as an ecological indicator of climate change, robust nonparametric and Bayesian econometric approaches for combining secondary data to inform environmental policy, optimal design of residential outdoor watering policies, demand for natural gas as a transportation fuel, and cost-effective strategies to control nonpoint source pollution.

International Development and Trade

Factors and policies affecting economic prospects, poverty, and inequality in developing countries. International trade negotiations, trade agreements, disputes, and barriers to trade. This field focuses on the economics of development and international trade. Students who complete a field in international development and trade will take at least two field courses - “Topics in Applied Development Economics” and “International Trade and Finance”. These courses cover topics such as economic theories of development; methods for measuring poverty and inequality; evaluation of public policies for poverty reduction and economic growth; interactions between environment, health, and development; methods for measuring technical change; political economy of trade; imperfect competition and intra-industry trade; and monetary aspects of international trade. Students have conducted research in areas such as the impact on food security in Ethiopia of improved maize varieties, asset indexes and measurements of poverty in Zimbabwe, returns to agricultural research, non-tariff measures and their impact on international trade flows, causes and consequences of the proliferation of free trade agreements, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its role in the multilateral trading system, the scale and duration of international agricultural product trade, and U.S.-China international trade.

Food and Health Economics

The economics of food, nutrition, and health choices with implications for policy design and effectiveness. This field focuses on the economics of food, nutrition, and health choices with implications for policy design and effectiveness.  Students who select food and health economics as their research focus will take two field courses - “Food and Health Microeconomics” and “Food and Health Macroeconomics”. These courses cover topics such as basic nutrition, unitary and collective household production models of food choices and health, nutrition and food production from the supply side, principal-agent theory, and cost and benefit measurement in health economics.  Students in the past have done research in a variety of areas such as the academic performance of malnourished or overweight children, estimating the average cost-effectiveness of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program, designing better incentive-compatible weight loss programs, determining the impact of Food Stamp Participation on child and household food security, estimating the elasticity of substitution between time and goods in food production at home, and maternal choices to provide safe drinking water.

Combined Program

Academic Employment Track with Future Professoriate Graduate Certificate:  AAEC partners with the Virginia Tech Graduate School to offer an  academic employment track  that prepares Ph.D. students for future roles in academia. 

Interdisciplinary Degree in Remote Sensing:  AAEC Ph.D. students can combine their program with the  Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing  by taking additional courses related to Remote Sensing and participating in a weekly seminar. Students who complete the requirements receive a certificate in Remote Sensing in addition to their Ph.D.

Department requirements

Advisory committee.

All Ph.D. students must have an advisory committee. This committee must be formed before the plan of study is filed. The major professor normally serves as chair of the advisory committee. The advisory committee will consist of a minimum of four faculty members (including the advisor). The committee chair, or at least one co-chair, must have a Ph.D. in economics, agricultural economics, or applied economics. Ph.D. students must identify at least two dissertation readers, but readers are not designated on the program of study.

Each student is encouraged to visit with faculty members concerning his/her interests prior to forming an advisory committee. In forming their advisory committee, students are encouraged to have at least one member committed from the faculty in Economics and at least one member from Agricultural and Applied Economics. Students may also include member(s) from other departments.

Once selected, it is the responsibility of the advisory committee to review the student’s proposed coursework and to assess the likelihood of the student successfully completing his/her program. As a student progresses with their program, research plans should be discussed with and approved by their advisory committee. It is the responsibility of the advisory committee chair and the readers to evaluate drafts of the dissertation and provide continuous reviews.

Plan of Study

Each Ph.D student’s plan of study must be approved prior to completion of their third semester. The plan of study should include a listing of all courses including course name and credit hours using the appropriate form. The student should submit a copy of the program of study, signed by all advisory committee members, to the Graduate Program Coordinator. Upon approval by the Graduate Director and the Department Head, the Graduate Program Coordinator will electronically submit the program of study to the Graduate School.

The Graduate School requirements for a Ph.D. degree include a minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the baccalaureate, with at least 27 hours of course work and 30 hours of Research and Dissertation (AAEC/ECON 7994).

Doctoral students must satisfactorily complete both Qualifying and Preliminary examinations according to the guidelines in the Student Planning Manual. The Qualifying examination should be taken during January of the second year. The preliminary examination must be taken before entering a seventh semester of full time enrollment in the Ph.D. program.

Preliminary Examination

Each student must pass a preliminary examination consisting of a written and an oral component. The preliminary examination is required by the Graduate School. A student and his/her advisory committee can choose from two approaches to the preliminary examination: either a three-hour written examination followed by an oral examination, or preparation of a dissertation proposal with the oral examination a defense of that proposal. In either case, a student must attempt the preliminary examination before entering a seventh semester of full-time enrollment in the Ph.D. program unless approval for extension is given by the co-chairs of the Graduate Program Committee. The determination of whether a student fails or passes the preliminary examination rests solely with the student’s advisory committee.

Under the written examination approach, students complete an examination covering material relevant to the student’s declared fields of study. The oral part of the exam covers all of the student’s coursework and material that the student’s advisory committee deems relevant for a Ph.D. candidate.

The preliminary examination proceeds as follows:

1. The written preliminary examination is designed by the student’s advisory committee, which may enlist the help of other faculty in preparing and grading individual questions.

2. A successful attempt at passing the written examination is followed within two months by the oral examination. The oral examination must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to taking the examination and a card must be obtained for recording the grade on the day of the exam. The results of the oral examination (pass or fail) are recorded with the Graduate School by filing the card upon completion of the oral examination.

3. If a student is unsuccessful with the written examination, it is considered a failure of the preliminary examination and is recorded with the Graduate School. A failure on the written examination is recorded by the chair of the student’s advisory committee, who writes a letter to the student, with copies to the Dean of the Graduate School and the Graduate Program Director, indicating that the student has failed the written portion of the examination, which constitutes failure of the preliminary examination.

Under the dissertation proposal approach, the written component consists of a preliminary investigation of a certain field of research. The proposal should contain evidence that the student has a thorough and broad understanding of the field of investigation, evidence of sufficient innovations within this field of investigation to constitute at least one paper, and an outline of a research agenda beyond the proposed innovations leading to the completion of a dissertation. The proposal should be accompanied by a bibliography of the field of investigation.

1. The student must submit a draft of the written dissertation research proposal to his/her advisor and the designated readers at least six weeks prior to the proposed date of the oral examination. The student is required to have at least one meeting with his/her advisor and the designated readers regarding the dissertation research proposal prior to the submission of the proposal to the advisory committee as a whole. If necessary, the student will have an opportunity to modify his/her proposal to respond to remarks from his/her advisor and designated readers.

2. The student has to submit the final version of the written dissertation research proposal to all members of his/her advisory committee at least two weeks prior to the defense date. The oral examination must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to taking the examination and a card obtained for recording the grade on the day of the exam. Results of the oral examination (pass or fail) are recorded with the Graduate School by filing the card upon completion of the oral examination.

If a student fails the first attempt of the preliminary examination, the student’s Department Head may grant a second attempt. If a second attempt is granted, the preliminary examination process must be redone between fifteen weeks and six months after the first attempt. A maximum of two attempts to pass the preliminary examination will be allowed. There will be no opportunity to repeat the preliminary examination process after two attempts.

Progress Reports

Progress reports are submitted twice annually to the Graduate Director. Reports are reviewed and signed by the chair of the student’s advisory committee or temporary advisor. For students with assistantship financial support, the progress reports may be used to help determine the student’s stipend level for the following year. The progress reports will be filed with the student’s permanent record and may be reviewed or copied by the student upon request.

Graduate Seminar

Students are encouraged to participate actively in the research seminars within the department. All master’s and Ph.D. students writing a thesis or dissertation are expected to present a seminar on their research proposal or results. In order to schedule a final thesis or dissertation defense, the student may need to complete a short form, which is signed by the chair of his/her advisory committee, indicating that the seminar was given. A copy of the form may be obtained from the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Ph.D. Examinations

In addition to coursework, Ph.D. students are required to pass three examinations: (1) a written qualifying examination, (2) a written and oral preliminary examination, and (3) a final oral dissertation defense.

• Students are required to take the written qualifying examination during the summer after their first year in the program. Exceptions, while unusual, may be obtained on an individual basis. To be considered for an exception, a student must petition the AAEC Graduate Program Director in writing as early as possible, and not later than four weeks prior to the examination date. Students who fail to take the written qualifying examination without the required permission will be considered to fail, unless there are extraordinary extenuating circumstances.
• Each student must pass a preliminary examination consisting of a written and an oral component. The preliminary examination is required by the Graduate School. A student and his/her advisory committee can choose from two approaches to the preliminary examination: either a three-hour written examination followed by an oral examination, or preparation of a dissertation proposal with the oral examination a defense of that proposal. In either case, a student must attempt the preliminary examination before entering a seventh semester of full-time enrollment in the Ph.D. program unless approval for extension is given by the co-chairs of the graduate program committee. The determination of whether a student fails or passes the preliminary examination rests solely with the student’s advisory committee.
• The final oral examination is a defense of the student’s dissertation. The Graduate School requires that the final oral exam be scheduled at least six months after the student has successfully passed the preliminary examination.

Exit Interview

At the completion of their degree, students are also expected to provide the Graduate Program Coordinator with their forwarding address, date of degree, title of thesis or dissertation, and position of employment or further educational plans.

Virginia Tech alumna advocates for women's advancement in data science >> Ewa Kleczyk Ph.D. ’08 profile

Kiseok Shin, Ph.D. student, presents on 'shifts in trade in top soybean import countries' at a Metrics Mixer.   These mixers bring our graduate students and faculty together to discuss data analytics and econometric methods with an emphasis on the “analysis” of their research projects.

EVENTS: SEMINAR SERIES

Graduate school resources.

• Application deadlines
• Graduate School Student Forms

Department Forms and Resources

Inclusion and diversity resources.

Susan Chen, Ph.D. Graduate Program Director

Amy Guerin Graduate Program Professional Coordinator [email protected]

Follow @VTAgEcon

• Graduate Programs
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Degree Programs >

PHD, Agricultural & Applied Economics

Rigorous curriculum and cutting-edge research programs in a wide range of economic fields. Work closely with nationally recognized, experienced faculty to break new ground in our understanding of human decision making and economic institutions.

Degree Type: Doctoral

Degree Program Code: PHD_AGAE

Degree Program Summary:

Graduate study in agricultural and applied economics leading to a Master of Science degree in agricultural and applied economics or environmental economics and Doctor of Philosophy degree provides a wide range of educational opportunities in addressing the issues of production and distribution of food and fiber, natural resource and environmental management, and the quality of rural life. These programs prepare students for careers of leadership through development of a high degree of economic comprehension and decision making. Applications of economic theory and econometrics to resolve economic problems are the major areas of focus for courses in the department. The department has offered graduate degree programs for over 55 years. Its graduates hold key positions in both the private and public sectors in the state, the nation, and throughout the world. Graduates are employed in a wide range of positions, with robust demand in private industry from health care to food and fiber wholesale firms. Graduates are employed in domestic and international academic positions.

Graduate study is offered at both the masters and doctoral levels. The Master of Science (MS) in agricultural and applied economics and the Master of Science (MS) in environmental economics degrees require 27 hours minimum of course work and three hours of thesis. A Master of Agribusiness (MAB) degree consists of a minimum of 36 hours of course work including a technical report in lieu of a formal thesis. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree consists of a minimum of 63 hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree, satisfactory performance on written and oral examinations, and a formal dissertation.

Graduate instruction and research may be undertaken in the following areas of specialization: agricultural marketing and consumer demand, agricultural business management, production economics, natural resources and environmental economics, and international trade and development.

Graduate research is coordinated with the department’s overall research program. Students may select a research topic related to the department’s current research projects or an approved area of sponsored research. Exceptional computer facilities, software, and support are available for departmental research.

Financial assistance is available to graduate students on a competitive basis in the form of departmental research assistantships. Paid internships are also available from regional and national agribusiness firms.

Locations Offered:

Athens (Main Campus)

College / School:

College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

147 Cedar Street Athens, GA 30602

706-542-3924

Department:

Agricultural and Applied Economics

Graduate Coordinator(s):

Search for another degree

Find your graduate program.

Offering 200+ degrees, certificates and programs of study, we’ll help you get started on your graduate journey.

 or 

Search by keyword, program of study, department or area of interest

Interested in earning both a bachelor’s & master’s degree in five years or less?

Learn more about Double Dawgs .

Unlocking potential. Building futures.

Apply Today

The Graduate School Brooks Hall 310 Herty Drive Athens, GA 30602 706.542.1739

• Administration
• Graduate Bulletin
• Strategic Plan
• Virtual Tour
• Request Information
• Requirements
• Application Fee
• Check Status
• UGA Main Campus
• UGA Gwinnett
• UGA Griffin
• UGA Atlanta-Buckhead

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Agricultural & Consumer Economics

• What We Do & Why It Matters
• Meet the ACE Ambassadors
• ACE as a Major
• Student Organizations
• Financial Support
• Career Placements
• Undergraduate Degree
• Graduate Degrees
• Academic Resources
• Certificates
• Course Explorer
• Emeritus Faculty
• Affiliated Faculty
• Instructors
• Graduate Students
• Postdoctoral
• Job Market Candidates
• Food, Agriculture, and Commodities
• Environmental and Resource Economics
• Consumer, Household, and Health Economics
• International, Regional and Development Economics
• Policy and Law
• Research Support
• Extension and Outreach
• Research News
• ACE Seminars
• Alumni Profiles
• Newsletters
• External Advisory Committee

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Applied Economics

Degree requirements   Sample program

Study and research for the Ph.D .in Agricultural and Applied Economics typically requires four years beyond the MS degree.

• The first year is devoted to completing the Ph.D. core courses which cover the theory and quantitative methods upon which field or elective courses in agricultural and consumer economics are based.
• The second year is usually devoted to courses in the student's chosen area(s) of specialization and to completion of an independent research paper.
• The third year students present their research paper, complete research, and orally defend a proposal for dissertation topic.
• The fourth year student defend their final exam and deposit their dissertation.

Upon completing courses and passing a written preliminary examination, doctoral students must complete a significant research paper and orally defend a proposal for dissertation research. The oral defense assesses their preparation and plans for independent research and other related topics. Each Ph.D. candidate presents the completed research in a final dissertation defense.

The Ph.D. degree is a STEM-designated program.

To view the general requirements of the PhD program, see the university's academic catalog . We have also created a sample program to help visualize how a Ph.D. student's time would be spent.

Specializations

ACE is a leader in agricultural and applied finance. The program has both a strong research base, and proven record working with industry participants and policy makers to address real-world problems and develop useful tools and outreach products. Students in the graduate program can become involved in any of a wide range of finance-related topics including asset valuation, credit assessment, firm-level financial management, investment and capital budgeting evaluation, leverage, financial structure, lending policies, agricultural credit institutions, and national and international trends affecting financial outcomes in agriculture. The faculty's strong ties to production agriculture, lending institutions, and agribusiness create an environment conducive to problem-oriented research, and provide highly promising post-graduation opportunities.

Recommended Courses for Ph.D. Area of Specialization

Descriptions of courses listed below are available on the  course catalog

• ACE 542, Advanced Agricultural Finance

and at least two of:

• ACE 591, Independent Study (Approved Finance Topics), 4 hours
• FIN 511, Investments, 4 hours
• FIN 561, Financial Intermediation, 4 hours
• FIN 562, Macrofinance, 4 hours
• FIN 591, Theory of Finance, 4 hours
• FIN 596, Seminar in Fin Intermediation, 4 hours

For more information about Agricultural Finance, please contact:

Students in family and consumer economics use applied economics to address policy-relevant issues related to the behavior and well being of families, individuals, and consumers. This area of specialization focuses on household demand, household production, family formation and dissolution, consumer finance and family economics, and government policy. Faculty members are leading experts in several areas of family and consumer research including child support payments; effects of family structure on children's schooling, health, and well being; determinants of household financial well-being; family and consumer policy; consumer information and regulation; and health care issues. Faculty members also have a strong and growing interest in the international dimensions of family and consumer economics, including applications in the areas of international development and consumer finance.

• ACE 531, Impact Evaluation, 2 hours
• ACE 571, Household Economics, 2 hours
• ACE 572, Economics of the Family, 4 hours

For more information about Family and Consumer Economics, please contact:

This area focuses on a variety of management and decision issues relevant to farms and other firms in the food and agribusiness sector. Cooperation with the College of Business allows students to take courses or minor in related business fields. Research areas include decision analysis, information systems, operations management, business organization and strategy, marketing tactics and strategy, and behavior of organizations and decision makers. Close ties with industry executives enrich students' opportunities.

For more information about Food, Agribusiness and Farm Management, please contact:

Students in this area study the role of government in economic development, marketing, finance, international trade, and agriculture. They analyze policies related to market stabilization, international economic relations, food safety and biotechnology, natural resource use, income distribution, and public sector-private sector relations. Students and faculty also study the role of interest groups in the development of policies. Faculty have experience in Australia, Africa, Canada, Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

• ACE 531 Impact Evaluation, 2 hours
• ACE 556 Agricultural Policy and Political Economy, 4 hours
• ACE 557 Food, Poverty and Development, 2 hours
• ACE 559 Food, Trade and Development, 2 hours
• ACE 571 Household Economics, 2 hours

For more information about International and Development Economics, please contact:

ACE is a leading contributor to economic studies of bioenergy, soil carbon sequestration, water resource management and valuation, resource and habitat conservation, and voluntary environmental programs. Our proximity to some of the world’s most productive agricultural land as well as to the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and Chicago provides ready access to important field sites and enables us to be major contributors to environmental, natural resource, and agricultural policy development both nationally and regionally.

At least two of:

• ACE 510, Adv Natural Resource Economics, 4 hours
• ACE 516, Environmental Economics, 4 hours

For more information about Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, please contact:

Students in price analysis and agricultural marketing address the performance of agricultural markets. The department is closely linked with one of the world's most important markets for agricultural commodities. It is a leader in analyzing those markets, including options and futures markets located in Chicago, to find ways of improving the worldwide flow of food and fiber. Other areas of research include market information, grain quality in domestic and international markets, location and transportation analysis, and managing price and income risk.

• ACE 520, Food Commodity Markets, 4 hours
• ACE 527, Advanced Price Analysis, 4 hours

For more information about Price Analysis and Agricultural marketing, please contact:

Regional economics is an intellectually demanding and exciting field. Recognizing that space or location matters adds another dimension of complexity and realism to traditional economics. Traditional questions of regional economics include why some regions prosper while others do not, why some industries cluster, and what public policies can help places become more competitive and prosperous. More recent questions deal with the spatial externalities of weather events on, among others, crop yield and interregional trade as well as the impact of climate change on global supply chain linkages. The University of Illinois has a 40‑year heritage of educating leading regional economists and providing leadership to the Regional Science Association International.

• ACE 532/SE, Spatial Econometrics, 4 hours
• ACE 592, Environmental and economic Input-Output, 4 hours

For more information about Regional Economics and Public Policy, please contact:

Sample Program

*If approved, one field course may also fulfill the quantitative methods requirement.

Cornell Chronicle

• Architecture & Design
• Arts & Humanities
• Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship
• Computing & Information Sciences
• Energy, Environment & Sustainability
• Food & Agriculture
• Global Reach
• Health, Nutrition & Medicine
• Law, Government & Public Policy
• Life Sciences & Veterinary Medicine
• Physical Sciences & Engineering
• Social & Behavioral Sciences
• Coronavirus
• News & Events
• Public Engagement
• New York City
• Photos of the Week
• Big Red Sports
• Freedom of Expression
• Student Life
• University Statements
• Around Cornell
• All Stories
• In the News
• Expert Quotes
• Cornellians

William Tomek, innovator of ag commodity forecasting, dies at 91

By krisy gashler college of agriculture and life sciences.

William Tomek, a professor emeritus in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, died March 3 in Ithaca, New York. He was 91. 

Tomek’s innovations in econometric analysis improved forecasting of agricultural commodity prices. These forecasts helped farmers, governments and international organizations understand the effects of market shocks, like natural disasters and price fluctuations in other markets, on current and future agricultural prices. These insights helped support growers’ livelihoods and protect food security.

William Tomek

“Bill was one of the most famous agricultural economists in the nation. He served as both president of the American Agricultural Economics Association and editor of its flagship journal, the American Journal of Agricultural Economics,” said Harry Kaiser , the Gellert Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management in the Dyson School. “While he was highly esteemed, he was also the most genuine and approachable person to all students, faculty and the public.” 

Tomek’s research centered on the economic roles of agricultural futures pricing. He developed new analytical strategies to improve commodity forecasting and studied how varying levels of information available to different actors impacted contract pricing. His most-cited paper on this topic was recognized as a “publication of enduring quality” by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association in 1989, almost 20 years after its initial publication. In 1989, he was named a fellow of the American Agricultural Economics Association. 

Among Tomek’s most significant contributions to teaching was his textbook “ Agricultural Product Prices ,” first published in 1972. The first four editions were co-authored with Dyson colleague Ken Robinson , the fifth edition with Kaiser. The textbook has been continuously published for over 50 years and has been “used widely in colleges and universities across the U.S. and abroad,” said Wayne Knoblauch , professor of applied economics and policy in the Dyson School. 

When Tomek joined the department in 1961, most faculty were Cornell undergraduate or graduate alumni, and this lack of intellectual diversity limited the department’s ability to grow and adapt, said Timothy Mount , professor emeritus of applied economics and management in the Dyson School. Further, the department head at that time was empowered to hire new faculty without any input from colleagues. Tomek had no prior affiliation with Cornell, and he became a strong supporter of making the faculty more diverse and ensuring there was faculty input into the hiring process, Mount said. From 1988-1993, Tomek served as chair of what was then called the Department of Applied Economics and Management, and “he was respected by all the faculty, staff and students as someone you could trust,” he said. 

“As a person, he was very modest and very reliable. If something needed to be done in the department, you could count on him to do it well,” Mount said. “I think he was committed to the students and the department, and was not in it for his own glory. He was quite happy being in the background doing what needed to be done.” 

Mount and Tomek for many years taught a set of two graduate courses on econometrics. In a memoir about his career , Tomek cited this course as particularly important in his teaching contribution to the university. 

“Perhaps 1,000 students took the first semester of econometrics in the 30 years that I taught it,” he wrote. 

Tomek also established two funds in the Dyson school to support graduate education: the William G. Tomek Graduate Fellowship and the William G. Tomek Graduate Program Fund. 

“These funds are an important legacy of Professor Bill Tomek, which will positively impact generations of graduate students,” said Jinhua Zhao , the David J. Nolan Dean of the Dyson School. “Bill’s gifts to the graduate program in AEM reflect his continued dedication to the school he led and to future leaders who will advance applied economics and management research.” 

Tomek was born Sept. 20, 1932, in Table Rock, Nebraska, and grew up on his family’s farm. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1950s and played trombone in the U.S. Army Band. Tomek retired from the Cornell faculty in 1999. 

A memorial service is scheduled for May 11 at 11 a.m. at Forest Home Chapel in Ithaca, both in person and online . 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the William G. Tomek Graduate Fellowship Fund or the William G. Tomek Graduate Program Fund at Cornell University. Gifts may be made online at www.giving.cornell.edu/give or mailed to Cornell University, Box 37334, Boone, IA 50037-0334. 

Krisy Gashler is a writer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  

Media Contact

Adam allington.

Get Cornell news delivered right to your inbox.

You might also like

Gallery Heading