The Department of Economics at Washington University has a strong reputation for preparing high-quality PhD students for academic positions as well as for private- and public-sector jobs. We are seeking qualified students from any field who possess strong analytical abilities in mathematics and statistics and who are willing to complete a challenging Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Economics. At this time, a terminal Master of Arts (AM) is available only to qualified Washington University undergraduates.
The department offers students financial support while they remain in good academic standing.
Chair
Gaetano Antinolfi
Professor
Weidenbaum Center Research Fellow
PhD, Cornell University
Macroeconomics; monetary and international economics
Associate Chair
Yongseok Shin
Douglass C. North Distinguished Professor of Economics
PhD, Stanford University
Macroeconomics; economic growth
Endowed Professors
Costas Azariadis
Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences
Weidenbaum Center Research Fellow
PhD, Carnegie Mellon University
Macroeconomic dynamics; economic development; monetary and fiscal policy
Michele Boldrin
Joseph Gibson Hoyt Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences
Graduate Admissions Officer
PhD, University of Rochester
Economic theory; economic growth; macroeconomics
Francisco (Paco) Buera
Sam B. Cook Professor of Economics
PhD, University of Chicago
Macroeconomics; macroeconomic development
Steven Fazzari
Director of the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy
Bert A. and Jeanette L. Lynch Distinguished Professor of Economics
PhD, Stanford University
Macroeconomics; Keynesian economics; investment and finance
Rodolfo Manuelli
James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor
PhD, University of Minnesota
Economic growth and development economics; macro and monetary economics
Bruce Petersen
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Bert & Jeanette Lynch Distinguished Professor of Economics
Weidenbaum Center Research Fellow
PhD, Harvard University
Financial economics; applied microeconomics
Werner Ploberger
Thomas H. Eliot Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences
PhD, Vienna University of Technology
Statistics; econometric methodology; time-series econometrics
Robert Pollak
Hernreich Distinguished Professor of Economics
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Environmental economics; microeconomics/industrial organization; business and government; political economy
Ping Wang
Seigle Family Professor
NBER Research Associate
PhD, University of Rochester
Growth/development; money/macro; economic theory; spatial/health economics
Professors
Marcus Berliant
Director of Graduate Studies
PhD, University of California, Berkeley
Public finance; mathematical economics; urban economics
George-Levi Gayle
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Econometric theory; contract theory; labor economics; personnel economics; corporate governance
Limor Golan
PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Labor economics; applied microeconomics; applied econometrics
Brian Rogers
PhD, California Institute of Technology
Microeconomic theory, in particular, the fields of network formation, social learning, and applied game theory
Jonathan Weinstein
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Microeconomic theory, game theory
Associate Professor
Sukkoo Kim
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Economic history; urban and regional economics; trade and development
Assistant Professors
Ana Babus
PhD, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Microeconomic theory; finance
Ian Fillmore
PhD, University of Chicago
Intersection of industrial organization, labor economics, and econometrics; economics of education and education markets
Sanghmitra Gautam
PhD, University College London
Development economics; applied microeconometrics; public economics
Andrew Jordan
PhD, University of Chicago
Labor markets, discrimination, and criminal justice
SangMok Lee
PhD, California Institute of Technology
Microeconomics
Teaching Professor
Senior Lecturer
Lecturer
Postdoctoral Fellow
Affiliated Faculty
Scott A. Baker
JD, University of Chicago
PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professors Emeriti
David Levine
John H. Biggs Distinguished Professor Emeritus
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Accelerated AM in Economics
The Department of Economics offers a Five-Year Accelerated Master's Degree to qualified Arts & Sciences students at Washington University. More information about the Five-Year Accelerated Master's Degree program requirements and application process can be found on the department website.
PhD in Economics
General Course Requirements
The PhD in Economics takes five years to complete and requires at least two years of courses in 500-level classes with a 3.0 grade-point average. Students may transfer up to 24 units of graduate credits completed elsewhere but are advised to make such a transfer only after consultation with the director of graduate studies.
Courses taken must include the following:
- Microeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Theory: 12 units (Econ 501, Econ 502, Econ 503, Econ 504); and
- Quantitative methods and econometrics: 9 units (Econ 511, Econ 512, Econ 5161).
An Ideal Chronology of PhD Study
Summer Before the First Year (August)
- Mathematics Review and Statistics Review
Year 1
Core Courses:
Fall Semester/Spring Semester
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| 501 Macroeconomics I |
502 Macroeconomics II |
| 503 Microeconomics I |
504 Microeconomics II |
| 511 Quantitative Methods I |
512 Quantitative Methods II |
| 5161 Applied Econometrics |
|
Year 2
- Preliminary exams in late August, retake preliminary exams (if necessary) in January
- Field courses
- Research paper proposal
Year 3
- Complete research paper
- Field courses
- Dissertation proposal
Year 4
- Write dissertation
- Prepare and present job market paper
Year 5
- Enter the job market
- Finish and defend the dissertation
More information on degree requirements can be found on the Department of Economics website.