PhD Program of Study

The Program of Study lists all course work, dissertation hours, and transfer or reduction credit to be applied to the PhD degree. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean's Office requires that an approved Program of Study accompany the request to advance to candidacy.

Students should submit a Program of Study for approval after successful completion of both qualifying exams and prior to requesting a registration number for ECON 998. All completed course work should be listed, as well as course work yet to be completed.

The Program of Study is then submitted to the Graduate Coordinator to be included in your file.

Prior to completing the qualifying exams, the Program of Study form may be used as a planning tool for self-advising.

Template and instructions can be found on MyMason / Organizations / Economics Graduate Students / Contents. 
Requires Mason login to access.

Requirements Notes

In addition to the requirements cited in the University Catalog and on the College of Humanities and Social Sciences website, the following requirements also apply:

  • 72 credit hours must be applied to the degree
  • At least 24 credit hours must be applied only to the PhD Economics program, which means they cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of another degree or certificate program.  (See University Catalog, AP.6.10 Requirements for Doctoral Degree.)
  • Reduction of credit or Transfer of credit can be applied to meet elective course requirements. (See Transfer Credit and Reduction of Credit)
  • 18 credit hours of core coursework must be applied to the degree (exceptions or waivers must be approved by the PhD Director):
    • 6 credit hours of Microeconomic theory (ECON 811 and 812)
    • 6 credit hours of Macroeconomic theory (ECON 715 and 816)
    • 3 credit hours of Mathematical Economics (ECON 830) or Mathematical Economics II (ECON 831)
    • 3 credit hours of Econometrics (ECON 637)
  • Minimum of 30 credit hours of elective coursework which must include field courses and may also include reduction or transfer of credits.
  • All students must complete the micro and macro theory course sequences even if they have taken similar courses at another institution. Exceptions will not be granted.
  • Must pass two qualifying exams - micro and macro (see Qualifying Exams)
  • Two or more courses in each of two fields must be completed prior to taking field exams (see Field Exams)
  • Must pass two field exams (see Field Exams)
  • DISSERTATION CREDITS – The amount of dissertation credits required is determined by the amount of coursework credit completed. May apply a minimum of 12 dissertation credits and a maximum of 24 dissertation credits (998 and 999 combined) to the degree. Must complete a minimum of 3 credits 999.
  • Must pass a final public defense of the doctoral dissertation
  • Up to 6 credit hours of Mason coursework may be taken outside of the Economics department (through another discipline) with the approval of the PhD Director
  • Up to 6 credit hours of coursework may be taken through the Consortium with the approval of the PhD Director
  • Up to 6 credit hours of directed readings (ECON 896) may be applied toward degree requirements
  • Students must advance to candidacy within 6 years after first enrollment and must complete dissertation requirements and graduate within 9 years after first enrollment
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in course work, which may include no more than 6 credits of C

Last updated:  01/10/23