Graduate study in economics at Columbia has a long and distinguished tradition dating back to the pioneering work of John Bates Clark, Wesley Clair Mitchell, Harold Hotelling, and William Vickrey. This tradition is kept alive by a strong, research-oriented faculty whose interests range from pure theory to a variety of applied subjects. The department maintains close associations with faculty in the Graduate School of Business and the School of International and Public Affairs, offering our graduate students a lively research environment.

The Columbia program provides rigorous training and encourages students to do original and innovative work. All students learn to use basic economic tools and develop expertise in at least one specialized field. Faculty-student weekly workshops play a key role, providing a forum for new ideas, a free exchange, and an opportunity for keeping abreast of the most current issues and research in the field. Workshops are offered in Economic Theory, IO & Strategy, Money & Macro, International Trade, Applied Micro & Labor, Econometrics, and Development & Environment.

For the Ph.D. Degree

The First Year

Students must successfully complete the following courses: G6211-G6212, Microeconomic Analysis I and II; G6215-G6216, Macroeconomic Analysis I and II; G6411-G6412, Introduction to Econometrics I and II; and G6410, Mathematical Methods for Economists.

At the end of the first year, students are required to certify by written examination in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. The examinations are given during the one-week final examination period in May. Certification examinations may be repeated only once, in September at the beginning of the second year.

The M.A. degree requirements may be completed, with careful planning, by students by the end of the second year of study. Students receive the M.A. degree in the course of completing the Ph.D. degree requirements. Please note that there is no free-standing M.A. degree.

The Second Year

In the fall term, G6417. Microeconometrics or G6429. Empirical Methods in Macroeconomics, is required of all students. These courses introduce students to the techniques and issues of contemporary applied econometrics. Courses that substitute for G6417 and G6429 may be listed by the department.

A paper must be written and submitted in March of the second year in one of the fields classes.

Option 1  Students must choose and demonstrate competence in two of the following fields. Other fields may be substituted, subject to approval by the DGS.

• Applied Microeconomics

• Econometrics

• Economic Development

• Finance

• Industrial Organization and Regulation

• International Economics

• Labor Economics

• Macroeconomics and Monetary Theory

• Microeconomic Theory and Mathematical Economics

• Public Finance

Competence in each field is demonstrated by passing the required number of advanced courses in each field with an average of B or better, and by passing a written examination in the field. The total number of classes cannot be less than five; in addition, students must take the second year econometrics class. Such courses cannot be any of the 1st year certification courses. Students may not use an individual course to satisfy more than one field requirement. A 4000-level course can be used toward completion of field requirements only with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Field examinations are written at the end of the second year.

Option 2  Students may adopt a ‘breadth field’ in addition to one primary field. They must select at least two classes for the ‘breadth field’ which do not have to belong to the same field. The classes can be taken outside of the department, but only with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

The total number of classes cannot be less than five; in addition, students must take the second year econometrics class.

Students taking a breadth field must:

• pass the required number of advanced courses in their primary field, with an average of B or better pass a written examination in this field,
• and receive a grade for each breadth field class, and the average grade cannot be worse than B.

Finally, each student must enroll in one of the colloquia organized by faculty members in various fields. Attendance is mandatory, and students must make one presentation during the year.

The Third Year

Dissertation work begins. By the end of their fifth semester, students must have named a sponsor and an advisement committee. By the end of their sixth semester, students must have presented a written proposal about their intended thesis research in front of this committee, and had the committee sign off on it.

In addition, attendance in a colloquium is mandatory, and each student must make a presentation in each semester, in the presence of the student's sponsor or co-sponsor. Student presentations in a regular departmental workshop or lunch may substitute for presentation in the colloquia, with permission of the instructors.

Students should regularly attend the workshops in the fields related to their dissertation.

A third year paper of publishable quality is required at the end of the 6th semester.

Fourth and Fifth Years

Continued work on the dissertation. Each student must participate in a colloquium. Attendance is mandatory, and each student must make a presentation in each semester, in the presence of the student's sponsor or co-sponsor. Student presentations in a regular departmental workshop or lunch may substitute for presentation in the colloquia, with permission of the instructors.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete the dissertation defense in the fifth year of the program.

Additional Requirements

Residence Units: Students must register for six consecutive Residence Units

Teaching requirement: Participation in the instructional activities of the department for at least two semesters. As a rule, in the second, third and fourth years of study, students gain exposure to teaching as assistants to faculty, as section leaders in lecture courses or as instructors.

M.Phil. degree: The M.Phil. degree is conferred upon completion of all Ph.D. degree requirements except the dissertation and the teaching requirement. Students may expect to complete the M.Phil. degree requirements within three years of study. All students are subject to the general requirement that they complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree within seven full academic years after first registration.