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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog
Economics, PhD
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 Return to: Doctoral Programs
Economics Department, College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
Co-Chairperson
Juan Carlos Conesa, Ward Melville Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, N-607, (631) 632-7527
Eva Carceles-Poveda, Ward Melville Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, S-629, (631) 632-7527
Graduate Program Director
Alexis Anagnostopoulos. Ward Melville Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, S-621, (631) 632-7526
Graduate Program Coordinator
Tim Chin, Ward Melville Social and Behavioral Sciences Building S-607, (631) 632-7537
Department Website
The PhD program in Economics is a small, highly selective and tightly focused program. Graduate training begins with a sequence of required core courses in the student’s first year; after that point, the students choose areas of specialization, with courses offered in the second and third years of study, and then proceed to the thesis. The core courses are capped by comprehensive examinations at the end of the first year. In choosing among specialized areas of concentration, students at Stony Brook may select from among game theory, macroeconomics, industrial organization, labor economics, and health economics. These areas represent the important specializations in which Stony Brook faculty possess excellent national and international reputations, and in which the department as a whole is committed to emphasizing in the future. The PhD program is STEM-designated, allowing F-1 visa students to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months to work in their field of study. For more information, please visit the Department of Homeland Security webpage.
The program of study does not depend on prior knowledge of economics, though that is useful. Because of its emphasis on mathematical modeling, the graduate program is highly suitable for those whose undergraduate degrees are in physics, engineering, and mathematics. Those whose undergraduate degrees are in economics are usually expected to have taken a number of mathematics courses at a level not typically required for their undergraduate degree in order to be prepared for a graduate program.
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Admission Requirements
Application Website The program admits students only for the Fall semester unless they have taken PhD level courses in another university. Minimum requirements to be considered for admission, in addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, are as follows, although exceeding these requirements increases the probability of admission: -
A bachelor’s degree. Applicants with majors in economics, mathematics, computer science, the physical sciences, or engineering are encouraged. -
Letters of recommendation from three instructors or academic advisors. The referees should be able to evaluate the research potential as well as the mathematical preparation and ability of the applicant. -
Submission of results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical parts). -
For foreign students, provide scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the IELTS. However, if you have a degree (high school diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, or if you have worked as a Teaching Assistant at an English-speaking institution, this requirement may be waived. -
In those cases where the departmental admissions committee deems it desirable, personal interviews with departmental representatives may be necessary. Students should be aware that admitted students generally exceed these requirements. However, students who do not meet or exceed all these requirements may apply if they think that their preparation as a whole shows they are capable of succeeding in the graduate program. Additional qualifications often include a Masters degree as well as several courses in mathematics including multivariate calculus, advanced linear algebra, real analysis and topology. Financial Support and application deadlines All admissions are for the academic year starting in the fall semester. The application deadline is January 15. The number of openings for the PhD program is small and acceptance is very competitive. PhD students may receive financial support for five years of study and a tuition waiver for the entire duration of their study subject to satisfactory progress in the program. An additional year of support (sixth year) is often provided but is not guaranteed. Applicants seeking additional financial support from the Graduate School (e.g. Graduate Council Fellowship, Turner etc.) are strongly encouraged to submit their application earlier than the January 15 deadline Degree Requirements
The goal of the Ph.D. program is to develop the capability of each student to conduct independent research and analysis. To this end the program has three phases: (1) a general foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods starting from the basics but done in a very mathematical way, (2) specialization in two or more fields of theoretical or applied economics, and (3) independent research culminating in the doctoral dissertation. These are not totally distinct phases but indicate the natural order of progression. Coursework is supplemented by independent study and research seminars. Throughout the program students have advisors to consult in developing a study plan that best meets their needs. The Ph.D. degree requirements are as follows: Course Requirements
A minimum of 15 courses in economics must be completed.The PhD committee may approve a waiver of part of the 15-course requirement for students with graduate work elsewhere. 1. Core Courses
Two semester sequences in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics are referred to as core courses. 2. Additional Required Courses
Students are required to complete a course in Mathematical Foundations at the beginning of their first year, a Teaching Practicum during their first year and a course in Applied Econometrics in their third semester. 3. Elective Courses
In addition to required courses, students are required to complete six elective courses chosen out of the electives offered by the department. Typically, electives offered include at least two semesters of game theory, macroeconomics, industrial organization, labor economics and health economics. Additional electives are offered depending on faculty availability and student interest. Workshops and Seminars
Each student participates and contributes to at least one research workshop per semester, beginning with their fifth semester. The purpose of the workshops is to provide a structured introduction to research methodology. In addition, participation in department seminars is considered an essential part of a student’s progress toward the doctorate. Seminars in economic theory, applied micro, and macroeconomics are presented on a regular basis by faculty, visitors, and graduate students. Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive examinations are taken in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics at the end of the first year of study. Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to candidacy must be achieved by the end of the sixth semester. It is achieved by satisfactory completion of the course requirements and successful defense of a dissertation proposal. The dissertation proposal examination is both written and oral, and its syllabus is to be determined by the student’s dissertation committee in consultation with the student. Dissertation
Completion of the PhD program requires a dissertation, presenting the results of original and significant research. The dissertation is evaluated and approved by a committee including the candidate’s principal advisor, two other department members, and one member from another department. The results of the dissertation will be presented at a colloquium convened for that purpose. Teaching Requirement
PhD students in economics who are funded on state lines serve as teaching assistants (TAs) for classes taught by departmental faculty and instructors, or as research assistants (RAs). For all PhD students, regardless of source of funding, the department of economics requires that they take the teacher training course ECO 698 . Time Limit
The time limit for a doctoral degree is seven years for a student who has a previous graduate degree or 24 credits of graduate study in such a degree program. For all other students, the time limit for a doctoral degree is seven years after completion of 24 graduate level credits at Stony Brook University. Dismissal Policy
A student may be dismissed from the program at the end of any semester in which he or she does not achieve a semester or cumulative B average or fails to meet the pertinent requirements for the PhD as specified. |
Return to: Doctoral Programs
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