Footnotes
1 The field sequences may be selected from the following fields:
Behavioral and Experimental Economics: ECON 6800 and ECON 6810
Health Economics and Policy: ECON 6820 and ECON 6830
Energy and Environmental Economics: ECON 6860 and ECON 6870
2 In the event that circumstances prevent a specific course from being offered during a particular semester, the GPD will collaborate with the student to arrange a suitable alternative. Approval must be obtained from the Office of Graduate Education.
3 Depending on their dissertation research needs and subject to approval by the GPD, students may have the option to take additional courses.
Other Requirements
In addition to completing coursework, students must meet several key milestones in their journey towards earning a Ph.D. in Economics. Students must achieve the following milestones:
1.Pass qualifying examinations in Microeconomics, Econometrics, and Economics of Innovation
2. Fulfil field requirements
3. Complete the second-year research paper
4. Deliver a presentation of an original research paper in their third year
5. Deliver a presentation of a different original research paper in their fourth year
6. Successfully complete the written dissertation and oral exam
See Economics department’s website and Graduate Student Handbook for more details.
Selection of a Doctoral Committee
The successful completion of a Ph.D. thesis requires the guidance and expertise of a dedicated faculty advisor along with the oversight of a doctoral committee. The committee should consist of a minimum of four members, each playing a distinct role. Here are the key criteria and steps for forming a doctoral committee:
Composition of the Doctoral Committee:
• Chair: The committee must have a Chair, who is required to be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member within the Economics Department at RPI. The student may also have a co-chair who is also required to be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member within the Economics Department at RPI. However, in exceptional cases, non-tenure track faculty members (e.g., lecturers) may serve as co-chairs alongside a tenured/tenure-track faculty member.
• Two Committee Members: The committee must include two additional members who hold positions as tenured, tenure-track, or non-tenure track faculty within the Economics Department. If there is a co-chair, then only one economics committee member is needed.
• Outside Member: To ensure a breadth of perspectives, the committee must include one outside member. This individual can be a faculty member from another department within RPI, a representative from an external institution, or a scholar specializing in a discipline relevant to the student’s dissertation.
Nomination of Doctoral Committee:
• After selecting the members of their committee, students must complete a Nomination of Doctoral Committee form. This form should be signed by all committee members and requires approval by the Office of Graduate Education prior to scheduling the Candidacy Exam.
• Once the form is complete, it should be submitted to the Graduate Program Administrator. The Graduate Program Administrator will have the GPD sign it, make a copy for the student’s file, and send the original to the Office of Graduate Education.
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