Graduate Program

Graduate Core Curriculum

The core of the graduate curriculum is an integrated set of subjects in economic theory, mathematics for economists, and econometrics.

Core Requirement

In their first three semesters students must satisfy the course requirement in at least 12 of the 14 quarters (half-semester) core courses:

14.121, 14.122, 14.123, 14.124
14.380, 14.381, 14.382, 14.384/14.385
(For this purpose, 14.382, 14.384, and 14.385 are each treated as two half-semester courses)
4.451, 14.452, 14.453, 14.454

These core course requirements can be met by earning a grade of B or better in the class, or for those students who believe they have mastered the core material, by passing waiver exams for the courses, generally are offered at the start of the semester the course is offered and graded on a pass-fail basis. Students who receive a grade of B- or below and wish to receive core credit should consult the faculty member in charge to determine whether to take the waiver exam or re-take the course the following year. These requirements must all be satisfied before the end of the second year.

Most students will take one or more field courses (depending on whether they are waiving core courses) during their first year. There was discussion at orientation of which field courses are most accessible to first-year students. Feel free to ask the GRO, field faculty, and advanced students for further advice on this decision.

Second-year Students

Second year students must successfully complete the new two semester Advanced Research Methods and Communication course, 14.192. This course is graded on a pass-fail basis, and guides students through the process of writing and presenting the required second-year research paper. This will satisfy the oral and paper components required to pass the general examination stage at the end of the second year; see other requirements for generals here. The second-year paper replaces both the third year paper and econometrics paper (14.389) required of previous classes. The 14.384/14.385 requirement is unaffected; note that combining either 14.384 or 14.385 with 14.382 (taken for credit, not waived) satisfies the course requirements for the econometrics major or minor field.

Program Structure

FIRST YEAR

Summer
Math Camp begins on the second Monday in August.

Fall Semester
14.121/14.122 (Micro Theory I/II)
14.451/14.452 (Macro Theory I/II)
14.380/14.381 (Statistical Method in Economics & Applied Econometrics)
Field Course (major or minor)

Spring Semester
14.123/14.124 (Micro Theory III/IV)
14.453/14.454 (Macro Theory III/IV)
14.382 (Econometrics)
Field Course (major or minor)

SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester
2-3 Field Courses
14.192 (Advanced Research and Communication)
14.384 or 14.385 (Advanced Econometrics)

Spring Semester
3 Field Courses
14.192 (Advanced Research and Communication)

THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH YEARS

Field Workshop
Field Lunch
Thesis Writing