banner USF Home College of Arts & Sciences OASIS myUSF USF A-Z Index

USF Home > College of Arts and Sciences > Department of Economics

Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. in economics program at the University of South Florida allows students to specialize in health economics as well as in other applied areas of microeconomics. This degree prepares students for careers as professional economists in academia, business and government.

Program Requirements

The program consists of required courses, field courses, and secondary/support courses. Upon completion of all coursework and passing of the qualifying examinations in microeconomics/mathematical economics and econometrics, students enter candidacy where they must successfully complete and defend a doctoral dissertation. More details on these requirements can be found the Department's Handbook for Doctoral Students and in the USF Graduate Catalog.

Required coursework for the Ph.D. includes the following:

  • ECO 6115 Microeconomics I
  • ECO 7116 Microeconomics II
  • ECO 6206 Macroeconomics I
  • ECO 7207 Macroeconomics II
  • ECO 6405 Mathematical Economics I
  • ECO 7406 Mathematical Economics II
  • ECO 6424 Econometrics I
  • ECO 6425 Econometrics II
  • ECO 7426 Econometrics III

Students must complete at least two field sequences from within economics. Each field sequence is comprised of two courses for a total of four field courses. The Department currently offers fields in the economics of health care, industrial organization, public sector economics, urban and regional economics, and economic development and international trade.

The secondary/support field is a three-semester sequence of coursework from outside of economics such as finance or statistics. The selection of courses must be approved by the graduate programs coordinator.

Students may take additional economics elective courses or courses from outside of the department should they so choose or should such courses be deemed necessary preparation for the dissertation.

To be eligible to graduate, in addition to the requirements stated above, students must satisfy all Graduate School graduation requirements such as maintaining an overall and economics GPA of at least 3.0 and meeting residency requirements.

A brochure describing the Ph.D. program is available.


Related Links

Graduate Catalog
USF Graduate School
Apply to USF