Department of Economics || Ph. D. Program

Ph.D. in Economics

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Ph.D. in Economics - Overview

Program Director, Professor Anne B. Royalty

Our PhD program specializes in Health 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, health care, 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 will also offer a year-long empirical econometrics sequence, emphasizing statistical packages, working with large datasets, problems in applied econometrics and proposal writing. Our program features strong disciplinary training in micro economic theory, econometrics, and health economics enhanced with exposure to other related disciplines central to health and health care.

We also offer a field specialization in the Economics of Nonprofits/Philanthropy. The structure will be similar to that in Health Economics, including the Ph.D. minor courses to complement the Economics training. These elective offerings will allow students to take, for example, courses in IUPUI’s unique Philanthropic Studies program and to interact with the renowned IU Center on Philanthropy.

For more detailed information on our curriculum, click on "Sample Curriculum" below.

The application deadline for the fall term is January 15. Fellowships and assistantships will be offered on a competitive basis.

The department currently has 20 faculty members. We have four health economists and are currently recruiting one more. The department also has a group of five researchers working in the area of philanthropy/nonprofit economics. Our faculty have well established, internationally recognized research programs. The department has consistently moved up the research rankings ladder in economics. The most recent department ranking we are aware of places IUPUI well within the top 100 research departments in the U.S. and in the top 200 in the world. An online ranking at econphd.net in 2007 considered subfields and listed IUPUI in the top 50 worldwide for the subarea, health/demographics/social security.

Our first doctoral class entered in fall 2010. Classes are small allowing for substantial individual attention for students admitted to the program. Students are normally accepted directly for Ph.D. study; we also expect there to be occasional cases where someone starts in the M.A. program, shows potential and enters the Ph.D. program.

As prerequisite, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent level of education from an institution outside the U.S. The department recruits promising students from the United States and around the world. Financial support in the form of a limited number of fellowships and assistantships is available and competitively awarded. Applications must be received by January 15. Entering students must have sufficient preparation in mathematics. The Ph.D. program is quantitatively oriented, and students are expected to be able to use linear algebra and the calculus of several variables in their first-year courses. For more detailed information on prerequisites, click on "Admission Prerequisites" below.

Admission Prerequisites

Sample Curriculum

For a complete application you will need to submit:

online application
personal statement
3 letters of recommendation
GRE and TOEFL (for International students) scores
college transcripts
supplemental questions required by the department
Application Supplemental Questions

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Submit hardcopy materials to the following address:

IUPUI Department of Economics
425 University Boulevard, CA516
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140

Application Supplemental Questions

International students will find useful information at the Office of International Affairs: http://iapply.iupui.edu/

IUPUI Office of International Affairs Guide for International Students: http://iservices.iupui.edu/visa-tutorial/