There are specific requirements for the doctoral program in each concentration. The concentration can specify how certain departmental requirements are to be met and can add requirements or increase minimum standards. Note that optional courses may be taken in addition to the required courses, not instead of them. Students must consult with their field advisor to ensure that their choices make a sensible program.

1. First Stage of Coursework

Common core

Required:

Econ 201A, Econ 201B (Economic Theory)

Options: Additional courses in economics or political economy

Basic discipline

Required:

Two doctoral level courses in the same outside department, usually Economics or Political Science

Options: Additional courses in any outside discipline

Research methodology

Required:

PHDBA 297B (Behavioral Science)

A methods course in the chosen basic discipline

Options: Additional methodology courses in any department

Field

Required:

Econ 224 (Economics of Institutions)

PHDBA 279A, PHDBA 279B, PHDBA 279C (BPP sequence)

Options: Additional courses in BPP or any course relating to the student’s particular interests within the field

Students must complete the bulk of their coursework requirements by the end of their second year, including core BPP courses.

2. Written Examination

The exam is taken immediately after completing the BPP field sequence and covers the material in those seminars. The exam consists of a paper and a twoday written test, and is usually administered during the month following the end of the student’s second year.

3. Second Stage of Coursework

Required:

PHDBA 279S in each semester after the written exam

Options: PHDBA 602 or PHDBA 299A - independent studies

4. Additional Requirements

BPP Students are also required to participate in IDS 270 from the second year on. They are strongly encouraged to audit the PHDBA 279S seminars from the first year.

Seminars: All students are required to enroll in, attend, and present their original research in the BPP student seminar, PHDBA 279S, from the fall of their second year in the program until they have graduated.

The BPP group expects most dissertations to be completed at the end of the fourth year.

Oral Examination

Students submit and defend their dissertation proposals in the oral qualifying examination. The objective is to determine whether each student has the intellectual capacity and academic preparation to complete the program. Successful completion of prior phases of the program and a well-defined research proposal are required.

Dissertations

A dissertation is the formulation and completion of a major research project and its written presentation. It is the last step in the program.

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