General Requirements for Ph.D.

Please see our Graduate Handbook for a full description of the program.

Foundations

• Economics 815, Analytic Methods (Mathematical Economics), (1-3 credits)
• Statistics 880 or 882 (3 credits)

Core

The core courses are provided to assure that students receive solid training in economic theory and econometrics. Students demonstrate mastery of theory by passing the Qualifying Examination in Advanced Economic Theory and mastery of econometrics by earning at least a B in each course.

Fields of Concentration

General Requirements for Master's Degree

Master of Arts in Economics

The Master of Arts degree in Economics is designed to prepare students for a Ph.D. program either at Nebraska or at other institutions. Well-prepared students should apply directly to the Doctoral program.

Masters students are expected to take the same core theory sequence as doctoral students. The MA degree requires 36 credit hours. Students taking 12 hours each semester can finish in 3 semesters. Students taking 9 hours per semester (the more typical load) finish in 4 semesters.

After successfully completing the core theory sequence and passing the PhD. qualifying examination students may apply to the PhD. program. Coursework and examinations taken in the Nebraska MA program will transfer directly to the PhD program.

Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics

Students interested in an applied degree are encouraged to consider the Masters of Science program offered in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

Masters of Education with a Focus Area in Economics Education

Designed to help teachers enhance their knowledge of basic economics concepts and demonstrate how economics can be taught in the K-12 classroom. See Master of Education Brochure.

The department does not employ a rigid formula for admission, but we expect excellent undergraduate (or graduate if applicable) records in economics, mathematics and statistics. We expect excellent GRE scores, TOEFL scores (when applicable) and strong letters of recommendation. At the minimum, Ph.D. students are expected to have intermediate level training in economics (both macroeconomics and microeconomics) in their backgrounds. In addition, Ph.D. students are expected to have strong mathematical backgrounds including at least two semesters of calculus, a course in linear (matrix) algebra, and a course in mathematical statistics. Differential equations and Math Analysis are also recommended Any course deficiencies must be removed prior to the first semester of enrollment.

Office of Graduate Studies Requirements

• Apply online at the Office of Graduate Studies and submit the application fee.
• The next day you will receive instructions for the GAMES application system. Please note: All application materials (except transcripts and finance resource certification) must be submitted electronically. Do not send paper recommendation forms.

Letters of Reference

Three letters of reference are required and should be submitted through GAMES (Graduate Admission Management and Evaluation System)

Statement of Purpose

Please submit a Statement of Purpose outlining goals and objectives for studying economics at the graduate level.

• Statement of Purpose must be sumitted through GAMES

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

You should register to take the GRE (standard test) and have the results forwarded to Nebraska (use institution code 6877). You should also submit your scores through GAMES. International students should include a TOEFL score (minimum score of 550 written, 213 computer based or 80 iBT (use institution code 6877)) or 6.5 IELTS. Guidelines for international students can be found at http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/international. International applicants will be required to submit evidence of spoken English ability to be considered for teaching assistantships.

Due to delays in receiving letters of recommendations and transcripts, candidates are advised to begin the application process well before the stated deadlines.

Applications are evaluated as received. Completed applications received after the deadline may be considered; however, a timely decision is not guaranteed.

*Because coursework begins in the fall semester, beginning the program in the spring semester is problematic, Spring Admissions are considered only under unusual circumstances and funding is typically not available.

The department awards three to four assistantships to new students each year. These appointments are either teaching or research assistantships and carry financial packages that are highly competitive with those offered by other graduate institutions. Assistantships provide a full tuition waiver, stipend for up to four years and heavily subsidized medical insurance. These assistantships may be supplemented with Othmer, Chancellor’s and Ogle Fellowships. Current information on tuition and costs is available here.

All applicants are considered for assistantships. No separate application for financial aid is required. Preference in financial assistance awards is given to Ph.D. applicants, but M.A. applicants are considered as well. Typically, our incoming Ph.D. students selected for assistantships have verbal scores above the 70th percentile, quantitative scores above the 75th percentile, and a writing score of at least 4. These scores should be viewed as guidelines, and are neither necessary nor sufficient for an offer of financial aid. We evaluate the entire application.

Assistantship decisions for the fall semester are typically made in February and March. Recipients are notified on or about April 1. Duties of first-year recipients of assistantships will likely include assisting professors with their instructional duties or working as research assistants.

In addition to assistantships, the department traditionally gives two competitive awards to Ph.D. students. The McConnell Dissertation Fellowship provides full support for two semesters to a student who is in residence and in the completion year of the dissertation. The Bingham Teaching Fellowships are one-year supplemental stipends and are given in recognition of outstanding teaching abilities and performance.

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We kindly ask you not contact individual faculty members or the chair of the department. After reviewing the website and our FAQ page, direct all questions to our director of economics graduate programs, Professor Matthew J. Cushing listed below.