Ph.D. in International Economics

Home Graduate Program Ph.D. in International Economics

OVERVIEW

1. the incorporation of international questions and concerns into the entirety of the economics curriculum,
2. stress on institutional knowledge and historical contexts, building on a strong foundation in modern economic theory

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

In the first year, students normally take a three-quarter sequence of core theory courses in microeconomics (Economics 204 A-B-C), a similar sequence in macroeconomics (Economics 205 A-B-C), and three quarters of econometrics (Economics 211A-B-C). If mathematics review is needed, students have the opportunity to take a prior course in September, "Mathematical Methods for Economic Analysis" (Economics 210B).

Students are expected to pass two written examinations covering micro- and macroeconomics theory at the end of the first year. An econometrics project, designed to provide an opportunity to evalutate the student's ability to do applied econometric analysis, is required by the beginning of the second year of studies.

In the second year, students take a three-quarter core sequence, first trade theory, second international finance and monetary issues, and third covering the theory and practice of policy formation (Economics 240 A-B-C and 241 A-B-C). The other core requirement is a course in international economic history that focuses on the 20th century (Economics 243). For the remainder of their schedules, the second year students will choose elective courses from several specialized fields (including public finance, industrial organization, labor economics, comparative systems, and finance markets) whose treatment will be open-economy and global in perspective.

Students are required to write a field paper due at the end of the second year.

The third year includes a required research/journal reading seminar (Economics 295 A-B-C) designed to help the student in the transition to the dissertation writing period, and a third -year Ph.D. Seminar (Economics 296 A-B-C) where students present literature and/or original research interests. The rest of the time in the program is focused on the writing of the dissertation.

ACADEMIC STANDING INFORMATION

Residency
The minimum residency requirement for a Ph.D. degree from the UC system is six quarters. To receive a degree from UCSC, students must be registered at the Santa Cruz campus for at least three of the six quarters. A minimum of one quarter in residence must elapse between advancement to candidacy and the awarding of the degree.

Academic Progress
A registered graduate student is considered to be in good standing so long as the student's department determines that she or he is making satisfactory academic progress toward a terminal degree. The academic progress of each continuing graduate student is reviewed annually by the department and the results are reported to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the Economics Department deems a student's work unsatisfactory, he or she may be placed on probation, or the department may recommend disqualification to the Dean of Graduate Studies. A student whose academic progress has been found not satisfactory in two successive annual reviews will be subject to dismissal from the University. A student who has completed twelve or more quarters of full-time work in the same graduate program without advancing to candidacy for the Ph.D. is not considered to be making satisfactory progress and will be placed on probation until advancement is achieved. A student advanced to candidacy for more than nine quarters is not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. At the graduate level a passing notation is equivalent only to an A or B letter grade. Anything less is considered failing work. A graduate student who has received two grades of unsatisfactory is automatically put on academic probation. Failure to pass the preliminary or field exams are also cause for academic probation. Consult the Graduate Student Handbook (PDF) for information on the ramifications of being on probation and on the appeal process.

Preliminary Examinations
Students are required to pass two written examinations. The examinations cover micro and macroeconomic theory and are taken at the end of the first year. The examinations will be offered in June and September. At a minimum, preliminary exams must be passed before beginning the third year of study, and students are required to pass their first-year exams before being allowed to write the field paper. Students will be required to pass the field paper before continuing into their third year of study.

Field Paper
Students are required to write a field paper due at the end of the second year. The purpose of the field paper is to demonstrate that the student can identify a research question and bring appropriate techniques to bear in addressing it.

Econometrics Project
An econometrics project is required at the beginning of the second year of studies. The paper is designed to provide an opportunity for each student to do applied econometric analysis and to evaluate students' ability to do so. The paper will not substitute for passing the econometrics course sequence.

Third Year Paper
A third-year paper, which is to be a substantial piece of original research of publishable significance and quality, must be completed at the end of the third year. This paper, which will closely relate to the dissertation topic, will normally serve as the basis of a dissertation prospectus.

Qualifying Examination
Before a student can advance to candidacy, he or she must pass an oral examination. The examination is a general exam in the subject area of the student's proposed dissertation research. A prospectus outlining the proposed topic and reviewing the background literature in the general area of the topic is prepared before the oral examination. The exam covers the student's command of the literature in the subject area and areas related to the proposed research approaches and techniques. It is not restricted to the prospectus, but the purpose of the exam is to assess the student's preparation to begin the dissertation research. Students are expected to take the oral examination no later than the end of the first quarter of the third year in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy
To advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. a student must pass the preliminary examination, field paper and qualifying examination and clear all incompletes from his/her record. The student is officially advanced to candidacy on the date the $90 Advancement of Candidacy Fee, Report on Qualifying Examination, and Dissertation Reading Committee forms are received in the Graduate Studies office. The student must be registered for at least one quarter after advancement to candidacy and prior to awarding of the degree.

Dissertation
To satisfy the requirements for the Ph.D., a student must present a dissertation on a topic from within his/her subfield of specialization. The dissertation must reflect original research and demonstrate command of previous work on the topic and closely-related areas. It must make a significant contribution to understanding the issue analyzed. A three-member dissertation advisory committee, headed by the student's research adviser, will read and evaluate the dissertation. The dissertation advisory committee, must be approved by both the Economics Ph.D. Committee and the Graduate Council. The Committee is convened soon after the student advances to candidacy to provide continuing guidance throughout the development of the thesis.