Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Master of Arts in Political Economy (M.A.P.E.)

Ph.D. students take up to sixteen 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 Ph.D. students must complete a doctoral dissertation (thesis).

Course Requirements
Postbachelor doctoral students (MAPE/PhD) must complete a minimum of 16 semester courses (64 credits) beyond the BA degree. Post-master's doctoral students (PhD) must complete a maximum of 14 semester courses (56 credits). All doctoral students are required to successfully complete the core courses by the end of the first year.

Theory and Quantitative Core Requirements
The core courses must be completed by the end of the first year with a minimum grade point average of pi (3.141).
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 EC Statistics for Economists (4 credits)
EC 708 Advanced Econometrics I (4 credits)

Also students must take EC705 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 three opportunities to take the qualifying examination. Failing may result in termination from the Ph.D. program.

Field Requirements
All students must pass two two-course fields with a minimum grade average of B in each.

In addition, students must take at least two other courses.

The following fields are generally offered each year:

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

Grade Requirements
All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. The core average must be pi (3.141) and an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for the M.A.P.E. and the Ph.D. must be attained in all courses taken after enrollment in the Graduate School at Boston University. At the end of each academic year, a student's course grade average is reviewed. Failure to maintain satisfactory standing results in recommendation for termination from the Ph.D. program.

Time Requirement
All required coursework and examinations must be successfully completed within three years of a student's first semester of registration in the Graduate School at Boston University. Remaining requirements for the Ph.D. should be completed at the end of the next 2 years. The average completion for the doctoral program is now five years.

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 requires that the dissertation be completed within seven years of initial enrollment in the program.

For more detailed rules, see "Rules of the PhD Programs 2007/2008"

Job Placements for PhD Students
List of Job Market Offers Accepted by Boston University Ph.D

PhD PRogram Offical Rules

For additional information, contact:
PhD Program Administrator
Andrew Campolieto
Boston University
Economics Department
270 Bay State Rd
Boston, MA 02215

Phone: (617) 353-4454
Fax: (617) 353-4449
E-mail: acamp@bu.edu