Doctor of Philosophy in AED Economics
Our Ph.D. program prepares students for careers in research, teaching, government, or the private sector. Students build an understanding of critical concepts in economic theory and their application to a wide range of real-world issues. Our philosophy of combining research with campus and outreach instruction means students directly apply principles learned. Students interact with academic, government and industry leaders in their area of interest so they are well prepared for a career of inquiry, problem solving, and leadership. Basics of the ProgramA distinguishing features of our PhD program is a strong first-year core of required courses focused on microeconomics, analytical techniques, and quantitative methods. The first-year core courses lay the conceptual foundation for analysis of a wide range of economic issues throughout the remainder of the student's graduate program and throughout the student's career. First-year courses are taken in both the Economics and AED Economics departments. During the second year, students take AED Economics courses that apply economic methods to real-world problems, and they take courses in a broad topical concentration, such as macroeconomics or finance. Students also take courses in a field of specialization in which they intend to conduct their research. In the third and fourth years, students identify a research topic, develop a research proposal, carry out their research, and complete and defend their dissertation. General program information and requirements are listed below.
The PhD program consists of three distinct parts:
[top] The Quarter SystemOhio State University utilizes a quarter system. The academic year consists of four quarters:
The quarter system has approximately the same number of academic class days as a semester system but offers a continuous cycle of 10-week courses (with well-deserved breaks!). This provides students a great deal of flexibility in scheduling courses and the opportunity to take a wide variety of electives. A full-load of courses in any given quarter is 10-15 credit hours. So, for a typical school year, students take Fall, Winter, and Spring courses and accumulate 30-45 credit hours. [top] Program RequirementsThe AED Economics Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 135 hours of graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree or 90 graduate hours beyond the Masters. It includes six components: economic theory core, quantitative methods core, AED Economics core, a field of specialization, a concentration, and dissertation research. Students wishing to complete a Ph.D. must reach four milestones:
[top] Course RequirementsThe Ph.D. curriculum is divided into six major portions, each described below:
[top] The table below shows the typical AED Economics Ph.D. course sequence. Following the table is an explanation of the progression of courses:
Elective offerings in AEDE (varies from year to year):
[top] Economic Theory Core (15 hours)These courses are completed during the first year of study and are the basis for the Microeconomic Theory qualifying exam.
[top] Quantitative Theory Core (20 hours)These courses are also completed in the first year of study and are statistical theory and quantitative analysis courses.
[top] AED Economics Core Sequence (25 hours)The AED Economics Core builds on the microeconomics and quantitative theory core, focusing on practical application of economic theories and methods. Students are exposed to a variety of tools and techniques used throughout applied economics. These courses begin in the first year of the PhD program and are completed in the second year.
[top] Fields of Specialization (20 hours)Students take a minimum of 20 hours in their chosen field. The field is chosen by the student in conjunction with his/her advisor, who provides guidance in selecting courses suited to the student's field interest. The department has three broad fields: agricultural economics, development economics, and environmental economics. Students can choose one of these three fields or they can "build" a cross-cutting field. Examples of cross-cutting fields include:
[top] Concentration (15 hours)In addition to a field, students must also fulfill a concentration requirement. This is distinct from the field of specialization. At least 10 of the 15 hours must have the same departmental prefix (AED Econ, Econ, Finance, etc.). For most students in our program, the concentration requirement is met by taking ECON 806, ECON 807, and ECON 809, the Macroeconomics Theory sequence. Completion of this sequence, and successful passing of the macroeconomics theory exam (optional) garners the student an M.A. in Economics (from the OSU Department of Economics) on the way to acquiring the PhD in AED Economics.
If a student has an alternative plan for study, he or she may choose a concentration other than macroeconomics. Courses are commonly taken from Economics, Business, Mathematics, Statistics, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Law, Political Science, City and Regional Planning, Geography, Consumer and Textile Sciences, Human Nutrition and Medical Dietetics, School of Natural Resources, and School of Public Policy. [top] Dissertation Proposal, Research, and CompletionDuring the final two years of the Ph.D. program, students focus primarily dissertation research. Students are expected to complete and defend a research proposal by the end of the third year. Upon successful completion of the proposal, Ph.D. Candidates are expected to complete their dissertation research. In much the same way that the proposal was defended, the PhD candidate defends the dissertation. [top] Need more explanation?For more information on the PhD program, see descriptions of the content of each year, fields of specialization, and concentrations: first year, second year, third and fourth years, and fields. [top] |
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