Preliminary Examinations:

Students must pass preliminary examinations in both Microeconomic and Macroeconomic theory. Students are required to take these exams when first offered after completion of ECON813 (Microeconomics) and ECON814 (Macroeconomics). The Microeconomics exam is offered during the last week in June and the first week in January, while the Macroeconomics exam is offered during the first week of February of each year and the last week of June. Students who do not either take an examination when first offered or pass an examination on the first attempt may retake it one additional time. Continuation in the program is contingent on passing these examinations.

Field Requirements and Examination:

Students must also pass a comprehensive field exam in a two-course field that includes a Topics course. Field examinations are offered during the last week of June and the first week of January. Students must notify the Graduate Programs Coordinator at least one month in advance of an exam of their intent to take the exam.

While the number of fields and Topics courses available depends on staffing considerations, the Department generally offers at least the following fields with Topics courses: Labor Economics, Industrial Organization and Regulation, International Monetary Economics, and Economic Development. Students must take at least two courses in a field prior to taking the examination. The Department maintains a current list of courses that satisfy the field requirements. A faculty committee consisting of at least two members will be responsible for the writing and grading of the examinations. Each examination is graded as Pass or Fail. Students must receive a grade of Pass.Students can take a field examination a maximum of two times.