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Department of EconomicsDoctoral Program

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Doctoral Program

Overview

The goal of the doctoral program in Economics at Texas Tech University is to train outstanding economists. Graduates of our Ph.D. program are ready to undertake research in Economics, teach Economics in higher education, and apply the skills gained in our program to problems in the private and public sector.

The Ph.D. program in Economics offers a solid foundation in economic theory and the students learn how to apply and develop economic tools. Doctoral students choose specializations from within the areas of International Economics, Monetary Economics, Public Finance, Labor Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Industrial Organization, Applied Macroeconomics, and Time Series Econometrics. The coursework and the continual support of our professors prepare students to conduct their own independent research, which culminates in a doctoral dissertation.

Our faculty and staff provide a supportive and inclusive environment for study and research, and we encourage students to work together. We want students from all backgrounds to succeed in our Economics program.

The graduate school requires 20 courses (60 hours) for the Ph.D. degree. The department requires 11 core courses, 6 field/elective courses, and 3 economic research courses (ECO 7000). Students with prior graduate work may transfer in courses as specified in the Graduate Catalog; however, no transfer credit will be given for any of the 11 core courses. All core courses in economics must be passed with minimum grade of C- to count toward the degree.

Coursework

Core Courses
  • ECO 5311            Microeconomics I
  • ECO 5321            Macroeconomics I
  • ECO 6312            Microeconomics II
  • ECO 6313            Microeconomics III
  • ECO 6322            Macroeconomics II
  • ECO 6323            Macroeconomics III
  • ECO 5331            Econometrics I
  • ECO 6332            Econometrics II
  • ECO 6333            Econometrics III
  • ECO 5301            Mathematical Ecomomics
  • ECO 5318            History of Economics

These core courses should be completed before any field courses or approved electives are taken. Exceptions may be made with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Currently the department offers the following field and / or elective courses:  
Field or Elective Courses
  • ECO 5343            Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
  • ECO 5344            Environmental Economics
  • ECO 5345            Energy Economics
  • ECO 6341            Industrial Organization I
  • ECO 6342            Industrial Organization II
  • ECO 5355            Labor Economics I
  • ECO 6356            Labor Economics II
  • ECO 5353            Public Finance I
  • ECO 6354            Public Finance II
  • ECO 5364            Economic Policy
  • ECO 5365            International Trade
  • ECO 6366            International Finance
  • ECO 6361            Monetary Economics
  • ECO 6367            Forecasting
  • ECO 6369            Growth and Development
  • ECO 6340            Macroeconomics Labor Economics 
  • ECO 5383            Time Series Economics 
  • ECO 6363            Consumption and Investment: Microfoundation and Aggregate Dynamics

These courses are usually offered on a two-year cycle but note that because at least five students are required in order to offer a course, not all field/elective courses may be offered at a given time unless there is sufficient interest among current students. 
Required Sequence

The required sequence of core and field courses is as follows (unless an exception is made by the Director of Graduate Studies):

  • Year 1:
    • Fall Semester: ECO 5311, ECO 5321, ECO 5331, ECO 5301
    • Spring Semester: ECO 6312, ECO 6322, ECO 6332, ECO 5318
  • Year 2
    • Fall Semester: ECO 6313, ECO 6333, Elective (3 SCH)
    • Spring Semester: ECO 6323, Field/Elective (6 SCH) 
  • Year 3
    • Fall Semester: Field/Elective (6 SCH), ECO 7000, Research
    • Spring Semester: Field/Elective (3 SCH), ECO 7000, Research (6 SCH)
  • Year 4
    • Fall Semester: ECO 8000, Dissertation 
    • Spring Semester: ECO 8000, Dissertation
  • Year 5
    • Fall Semester: ECO 8000
    • Spring Semester: ECO 8000 

 

Degree Plan

Students need to fill out a degree plan in their second or third regular semester. The degree plan lists the courses that are going to be used to fulfill the coursework requirements discussed above. The plan may be changed with relatively little hassle, but it should be kept up to date because when the time comes to graduate, the Graduate School will check the degree plan against the courses the student has actually taken.  


Resources

Department of Economics

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