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PhD in Economics Program

Program Overview

The PhD in Economics program requires the completion of the preliminary Mathematics and Statistics Review course, the Seminar course, the PhD dissertation, the PhD comprehensive exams, and 14 one-credit courses. The course requirements should be completed in a maximum period of 2-years (6 semesters) from the beginning of the PhD program. The PhD program is available on a full-time basis only.

This program only offers a Fall in-take.

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PhD Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examinations will consist of one exam in microeconomic theory and one exam in macroeconomic theory. Each exam will normally be held in June of each year. Students may request a second attempt in August of the same year. Both exams must be completed successfully within one year of registration into the PhD program. This is a Milestone. Pass/Fail.

PhD Dissertation

Preliminary research to develop a dissertation topic normally begins in the second year of study. A dissertation proposal must receive the approval of the Faculty Advisor and members of the Dissertation Supervisory Committee in the third year of study before the end of the Winter term.
To complete the PhD degree, a student’s dissertation that contains original and significant research must receive final approval of a Dissertation Examining Committee, as described by the official policies of the SGS. The dissertation must be presented and defended at a public colloquium convened by the Dissertation Supervisor for that purpose. This defence must be announced at least three weeks in advance with copies of the dissertation available for faculty and graduate students at least one week before the defence. This is a Milestone. Pass/Fail.

PhD Seminar

The objective of this course is to guide students through the process of writing their PhD dissertations. PhD students in second year and above must register in this course each semester. Students will be assessed based on their research progress. Pass/Fail

Primer in Mathematical Economics (EF 9913)

This course is designed to help prepare students for the mathematics they will encounter during the first year of the PhD program.  It is held during August (prior to the official start of the Fall semester) and is graded on a pass/fail basis.  Students who do not pass will be permitted one more attempt during the Fall term.  

The full list of degree requirements