Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

Students begin with rigorous Ph.D. core training in economic theory and econometrics, emphasizing microeconomic theory and microeconometrics. We offer a two-course field sequence in health economics as well as a course focusing on the institutional context of health, healthcare, and health insurance.

Importantly, students will also take Ph.D. minor courses in a field such as biostatistics, epidemiology, bioethics, or health policy, giving them a background that will facilitate working in the interdisciplinary teams with whom health economists often interact.

In addition to econometric theory, we also offer a yearlong empirical econometrics sequence emphasizing statistical packages, working with large datasets, solving problems in applied econometrics, and writing proposals.

Our program features strong disciplinary training in microeconomic theory, econometrics, and health economics enhanced with exposure to other related disciplines central to health and healthcare.

Graduate School requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a scale of 4, and a minimum 3.0 average in the major field.

Required Coursework

1. Course sequence in univariate and multivariate calculus (equivalent to MATH M165, M166, & M261 at IUPUI.)

2. Linear algebra (equivalent to Math M351 at IUPUI).

3. Statistics/Econometrics: Either

- a calculus-based undergraduate level course in probability or statistics OR- any undergraduate statistics course plus a course in introductory econometrics (equivalent to E270 and E470 at IUPUI).

4. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (equivalent to E321 at IUPUI)

Recommended Coursework

- Course sequence in Mathematical Analysis (equivalent to Math M441 and Math M442 at IUPUI).

- Additional courses in Economics.

For non-native English speakers who did not attend college in the U.S.: Either

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). We generally look for TOEFL scores of 100 or better.

OR

2. International English Language Testing System IELTS

The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5; in practice, we look for an IELTS of 7 or more.