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Ph.D. in Economics

Overview of Ph.D. Degree

The doctoral program in economics at UNH is one of the most distinctive in the country. It has four key elements: 1) rigorous training in economic theory and data analysis without sacrificing the study of the roots and methodologies of the discipline; 2) integrative research experience; 3) dual emphasis on training first-rate economists and outstanding college teachers; and 4) award-winning faculty with strong expertise in international economics, health economics, and environmental and resource economics.

Nationally, doctoral study in economics has increasingly involved quantitative rigor. UNH’s program has responded to this trend, but not at the expense of providing a broad background in economics. Beyond the core theory, econometrics, and field classes, students study both methodology and the history of economic thought.

The doctoral program builds on an integrative research experience that encourages students to develop research skills early on. One of the cornerstones of this experience is the department’s weekly research seminar, which attracts scholars from around the country to present cutting-edge research. Students participate in the seminar by writing critical reviews and referee reports of the papers presented, acting as discussants, and presenting their own research.

Another distinctive feature of UNH’s doctoral program is its dual emphasis on training economists and college teachers. The department of economics, in conjunction with the Teaching Excellence Program in the Graduate School, has developed a nationally known program that provides training in pedagogy for students whose career goals include teaching at the college level. This program, called the Cognate in College Teaching, is an option that Ph.D. students may pursue in addition to the requirements of the Ph.D. degree.                                           L-R: Christopher Wright, Aliya Sassi, Nicholas Mangee

Master of Arts Research Papers, Final Presentations - May 16, 2008

Program Highlights

  • Rigorous and broad training
  • Integrative research experience
  • Dual emphasis on training economists and college teachers
  • Training in college teaching available
  • Strong record of academic placements
  • Teaching and research assistantships available (should apply by March 1 st)

Requirements for Ph.D. Degree

Completion of all Ph.D. requirements usually takes four years for full-time students. The program enables students to complete all coursework in two years, with the remaining time spent engaged in dissertation research, participation in graduate seminars, and pursuit of the Cognate in College Teaching.

After successful completion of the first year of the graduate program, including Econometrics II and Econometrics III, students should take the following courses in their second year:


Term 1

  • Advanced Economic Theory


Term 2

  • Microeconomic Theory 2
  • Macroeconomic Theory 2
  • Economic Seminar


Term 3

  • Field/Elective course
  • Field/Elective course
  • History of Economic Thought/Methodology


Term 4

  • Field Workshop
  • Field/Elecitve Course
  • Filed/Elective Course

The program in the third and fourth years of study consists of the following components:

  • Develop a dissertation topic and secure a dissertation committee
  • Defend dissertation proposal in a public forum
  • Defend the dissertation in a public forum
  • Complete the Cognate in College Teaching if desired
  • Participate in the Economic Seminar

Written evidence of proficiency in economic theory is demonstrated by passing comprehensive examinations in microeconomics and macroeconomics. These examinations will be given twice a year, at the end of June and at the end of September. Students should sit for both of their theory examinations at the end of June in their second year of study. All efforts are made to have test results available within three weeks of the examination date.  Information regarding performance is conveyed in writing by the faculty coordinator of the graduate program.  It is departmental policy that failure to take an examination in a timely manner can result in the revocation of financial-aid. 

Students also select one major field and one minor field. Each major field consists of three courses (at least two of which are from the economics department) plus the Field Workshop. Major fields also require a comprehensive field examination. Each minor field consists of two graduate level classes, at least one of is from the economics department. Minor fields do not require a comprehensive examination. For a list of fields and their requirements see Fields.

Departmental policy restricts the number of attempts at the comprehensive and field examinations to two per subject. Petitions for a third attempt are sometimes granted, but only in the case of extenuating circumstances.  Students who sign up for an examination but who do not show up on the test date will have the examination counted as one of their takes unless sufficient prior (typically two weeks) notice is given and approved.