COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

About the Program

The PhD in Applied Economics is designed to prepare the student for university teaching and research as well as for positions as economists in business, government, and industry. The program emphasizes the development of advanced research and scholarship skills in applied economics areas, including applied econometrics, economic development, financial economics, industrial organization, international economics, and labor economics. The program has a strong track record of placing its graduates in desirable positions.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students are required to complete the PhD program on a full-time basis.

Interdisciplinary Study: Interdisciplinary tracks may be established with other departments.

Areas of Specialization: The Economics faculty focus their research in the major areas of applied econometrics, labor economics, macroeconomics, industrial organization and international trade.

Job Prospects: The program is dedicated to producing well-trained researchers to work in academic positions and research-oriented jobs in companies, think tanks, government and other institutions.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are permitted to take doctoral courses when granted an exception. Students may enroll in up to 9 credits with the permission of the Economics Graduate Director. Minimum undergraduate GPA requirements apply.

Financing Opportunities: The Economics Department has a limited number of PhD assistantships that are awarded to exceptionally good candidates on a competitive basis. The assistantship requires 20 hours of service per week, which can include teaching and/or supervised research. An assistantship provides a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15

Applications received after the January 15 deadline will be considered but will not receive priority for financial assistance.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Complete the supplemental program application and upload copies of all supporting documents to your account, with these exceptions:

• Scores for the GRE and TOEFL, if applicable, must be reported directly by ETS to institution code 2906.
• Official electronic transcripts must be sent to econgrad@temple.edu or the originals mailed to:

Department of Economics attn Admissions, Temple University College of Liberal Arts. 210 Gladfelter Hall, 1115 W. Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6089

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Details on appropriate background are available from the department upon request.

Master's Degree in the Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree is not required.

Bachelor's Degree in the Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required. Details on appropriate disciplines are available from the department.

Statement of Goals: Approximately 500 to 1,000 words include your specific interest in Temple's program, your research goals, your future career goals, and your academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Required. Scores are typically in the 65th to 99th percentile on the quantitative section and in the 50th to 99th percentile on the verbal section.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT:
  • On or after January 21, 2026 – 4.5
  • Before January 21, 2026 – 79
• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 53

Official Transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all accredited institutions attended—and/or from which 6 or more credits were earned—must be submitted.

In addition to official transcripts, international applicants must also provide an official copy of their degree, diploma, certificate, and marksheets. If these documents cannot be obtained, applicants may instead submit a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-accredited organization (such as World Education Services – WES) to verify the completion and conferral of all degrees, diplomas, certificates, and marksheets.

Advanced Standing: Graduate coursework taken at an accredited institution prior to matriculation at Temple may be accepted for advanced standing credit. A grade of "B" or better must have been earned in a peer graduate program course in order for the credit to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 9.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 39

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
ECON 8001	Microeconomic Analysis	3
ECON 8002	Macroeconomic Analysis	3
ECON 8003	Mathematics for Economics I	3
ECON 8005	Microeconomic Theory I	3
ECON 8007	Macroeconomic Theory I	3
ECON 8009	Econometrics I	3
ECON 8119	Econometrics II	3
ECON 8129	Time Series Econometrics	3
ECON 8139	Panel Data Econometrics	3
ECON 8149	Computational Methods in Economics	3
ECON 8159	Econometric Estimation of Structural Models	3
Research Courses 1		6
ECON 9994	Field Examination/Dissertation Proposal Research 2
ECON 9998	Dissertation Proposal Research 3
ECON 9999	Doctoral Thesis Research 4
Total Credit Hours		39

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Upon finishing coursework, the student enters the research stage, which involves studying economics literature and models, preparing a dissertation proposal, and writing a dissertation. This process is structured and monitored by the use of ECON 9994 Field Examination/Dissertation Proposal Research, ECON 9998 Dissertation Proposal Research, and ECON 9999 Doctoral Thesis Research.

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ECON 9994 is designed for students who have finished all coursework and passed the theory prelims. Along with completing the third-year paper, they must choose a topic and start researching their dissertation proposal.

³

ECON 9998 is designed for students who have passed all theory and and their third-year paper. The students are expected to complete their dissertation proposal and submit it to the Graduate Affairs Committee for consideration.

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ECON 9999 is designed for students who have an accepted dissertation proposal. Their research should be divided into several stages, each leading to a successful dissertation defense.

Advanced Standing: Graduate coursework taken at an accredited institution prior to matriculation at Temple may be accepted for advanced standing credit. Students may transfer up to 15 credits.

Culminating Events:
Preliminary Examinations: 
The purpose of the preliminary examinations is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge of modern tools for economics research. There are two theory exams, one each in microeconomics and in macroeconomics, and one econometrics exam. The econometrics and microeconomics theory exam must be passed by the end of the first year. The macroeconomics theory exam must be passed by the end of the second year. Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their departmental advisor. 

Members of the Economics Department write the questions for the preliminary examinations. The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated. The Department Committee evaluates the examination. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of specific areas; and an ability to write technical prose. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed. Students who fail to pass all three preliminary examinations, or receive an official exemption, by the end of their second year are ineligible to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Third-Year Research Paper:
The third-year paper demonstrates mastery of a specific area of economics. Ideally, it will also be a first step toward completing the dissertation. The third-year paper resembles a journal submission. It is not a term paper or a literature review. Like a journal editor, the advisors can give it one of three grades: Accept, Reject, or Revise and Resubmit. The committee will also provide detailed comments. Students whose papers are accepted may use these comments to develop the paper into a portion of their dissertations. Students who receive a revise and resubmit will use these comments to formulate new drafts. 

Each student must turn in a progress report by the last day of classes in the fall semester of their third year. Students who have made unacceptable progress and who—in the eyes of the advisors and the Director of Graduate Studies—have no chance of completing an acceptable paper will receive an “F” in ECON 9994 and may be dismissed from the program. Students must turn in a finished product by the last day of classes of the spring term of their third year. Papers receiving a “reject” or a “revise and resubmit” must be revised and turned in by August 1. Students will be informed as to whether their paper has been accepted by August 15. Students who have not received an “Accepted” ruling by August 15 may not continue in the Ph.D. program.

Dissertation Proposal:
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the following: 

1. the context and background surrounding a particular research problem, 
2. an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem, and 
3. a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem. 

The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after having their third-year paper accepted. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and the writing process is established.

Dissertation:
The doctoral dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standard of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader discipline of Economics; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal. 

The Doctoral Advisory Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the department. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the committee members, and informing the student of her/his academic progress. 

If any member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee decides to withdraw from the committee, the student shall notify the Chair of the committee and the Director of the Ph.D. program. The student is responsible for finding a replacement, in consultation with the Chair. Inability to find a replacement shall constitute evidence that the student is unable to complete the dissertation. In such a case, the student may petition the Director of the Ph.D. program for a review. Once a review of the facts and circumstances is completed, the Director rules on the student's progress. If the Director rules that the student is incapable of completing the dissertation, s/he is dismissed from the program. This decision may be appealed to the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and, if necessary, to the Graduate School. 

The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and at least one additional faculty member from outside the department. It examines the student's ability to express verbally her/his research topic, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation. 

Students preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Examining Committee and register with the Graduate Coordinator at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Coordinator arranges the time, date, and room within two working days, and forwards the appropriate forms to the student. The student then must complete a request to announce their defense, to be submitted to the Graduate School, a minimum of 10 working days in advance of the scheduled defense.

Contacts

Department Contacts: