Economics
Earn your Ph.D. in Economics and gain global studies, high-demand skills for academia, policy, research, and consulting.
Economics, Ph.D.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economics is offered by the Jones College of Business at MTSU. The mission of the graduate program in economics is to provide students with advanced studies in economic theory and research methodology. The department's approach to these degree programs is global, interactive, and innovative.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Economics requires completion of 64-105 semester hours, including a minimum of 51 hours of formal coursework and 13 hours of dissertation research. Students entering with a master's degree in economics may have up to 12 hours applied toward the 51 hours of formal coursework. Students must demonstrate competency in economic theory by passing the Qualifying Examination in microeconomics and econometrics at the end of the first year of study. An economics PhD is one of the most attractive graduate programs: if you get through, you have a high chance of landing an impactful research job in academia or policy. Academic economics is one of the best ways of conducting and promoting global priorities research. You have back-up options in the corporate sector since the skills you learn are in demand. You should especially consider an economics Ph.D. if you want to go into research roles, are good at math (i.e. quant GRE score above 165), and have a proven interest in economics research. With a Ph.D. in economics, you can choose to become a college professor or work at the Federal Reserve, international agencies, consulting firms, private banks, or other for-profit ventures. Economists are in high demand for more than just their economic knowledge. Their training in strategic thinking, analysis of complex data, and other skills enhanced by their economic training are in need in many organizations and governments. There are many career fields that they can pursue, including:
- Professor
- Researcher
- Educator
- Economist
News Briefs
Economics student named MTSU’s first Tennessee Doctoral Scholar
When MTSU doctoral student Yolunda Nabors learned that tuition for her fifth and final year of her Ph.D. in Economics Program would be fully covered along with a generous stipend, she was in total disbelief. “It was a total surprise!” Nabors said about the email from the College of Graduate Studies announcing her win. “It was such a relief to know [ Read More ]
MTSU’s economics Ph.D. program earns first U.S. News and World Report ranking
MTSU’s economics graduate program within the Jennings A. Jones College of Business has made the U.S. News and World Report ranking of top U.S. programs for the first time. MTSU’s program is ranked No. 134 on the list of the nation’s 139 top programs for 2022. Tied for the top ranking was Harvard University, Massachusetts [ Read More ]
News Briefs
Economics student named MTSU’s first Tennessee Doctoral Scholar
When MTSU doctoral student Yolunda Nabors learned that tuition for her fifth and final year of her Ph.D. in Economics Program would be fully covered along with a generous stipend, she was in total disbelief. “It was a total surprise!” Nabors said about the email from the College of Graduate Studies announcing her win. “It was such a relief to know [ Read More ]
MTSU’s economics Ph.D. program earns first U.S. News and World Report ranking
MTSU’s economics graduate program within the Jennings A. Jones College of Business has made the U.S. News and World Report ranking of top U.S. programs for the first time. MTSU’s program is ranked No. 134 on the list of the nation’s 139 top programs for 2022. Tied for the top ranking was Harvard University, Massachusetts [ Read More ]
Economics, Ph.D.
Many MTSU economics graduates land good jobs thanks to open doors provided by faculty and their outreach to economics alumni. An aspect of training in the graduate program is grooming students for the job search and job interview to help with landing a job that suits the person's interest and skill set. Career opportunities for Ph.D. economics graduates can be found in areas such as
- Banking
- Consulting
- Government
- Higher education
- Insurance
- Law
- Manufacturing
- Private business
- Public service
- Real estate
- Risk management
Employers of MTSU Economics Ph.D. graduates include
- Auburn University
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Belmont University
- Black Hills State University
- FedEx
- Marshall University
- Missouri Southern State University
- New York City Department of Finance
- Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
- Regional Economics Models, Inc.
- Tennessee City/State Government
- Tennessee Department of Revenue
- Tennessee Education Association
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Tennessee Wesleyan College
- Transylvania University
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- University of California-Berkeley
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- West Virginia University
- Westminster International University at Taschkent
- Wittenberg University
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Faculty and staff continue to carry out a multi-pronged recruiting strategy to target top students. Periodically, information packets containing a poster, program brochures, the program's curriculum, graduation requirements, and application forms are distributed to every undergraduate department of economics in the nation. At various intervals each year, the department contacts all Ph.D. alumni and invites them to provide the names of potential students for the program. Every fall, the graduate director and several current graduate students hold a question-and-answer session sponsored by the undergraduate Economics Club to discuss graduate study in economics. Faculty work with students to prepare them for the job market, and efforts are made to reach out to alumni to help build a network of potential employers for MTSU graduates.
Funding
A limited number of Ph.D. Fellowships are available through graduate assistantships offered through the Department of Economics and Finance and, with a separate application, the Political Economy Research Institute Fellowship Program.
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