Emory University Economics PhD Program Guide 2026: Curriculum, Exams & Careers

Overview of Emory’s Economics PhD Program

The Department of Economics at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a highly focused doctoral program designed to transform a select group of graduate students into productive scholars, effective teachers, and influential contributors to public discourse on pressing economic issues. Under the interim direction of Ian McCarthy as Director of Graduate Studies and coordinated by Renee Sevy-Hasterok, the program provides an intensive research-oriented education that prepares graduates for academic positions at colleges and universities, as well as research roles in private organizations, industry, and government.

The Emory Economics PhD is structured as a full-time residential program with most students completing their degrees in five years, though some accomplish this in four while others require five to six years. The program requires a minimum of 54 credit hours, nine required core courses, three qualifying examinations, a field paper, and the successful proposal and defense of a doctoral dissertation representing original contributions to economic knowledge.

What sets Emory’s program apart is its combination of rigorous theoretical training with practical research opportunities across multiple focus areas. The department offers particular strengths in health economics — leveraging Emory’s location in Atlanta alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the university’s own Rollins School of Public Health. Students interested in other top doctoral programs may also want to explore our guides to the Emory Mathematics PhD and the Emory Chemistry Graduate Program for additional perspectives on graduate study at this institution.

By completion, the program expects students to be able to formulate or pose a research question or scholarly project, conduct independent research using methods appropriate to the field, and communicate results, findings, or new interpretations of scholarly work. These three learning outcomes guide every aspect of the curriculum, from the core theory sequences through the dissertation defense.

Admissions Requirements and Application Process

Emory’s Economics PhD program accepts applications beginning in September each year, with a firm deadline of January 1 for full consideration. There are no early admissions; all students are admitted for the fall semester only. The admissions timeline typically sees offers made between February and early April, with a deadline of April 15 for students to accept or decline.

The application process is entirely online, and the department specifically instructs applicants not to mail physical applications. Required materials include an online application form, transcripts of all post-secondary academic work (translated and notarized if not in English), three confidential letters of recommendation (up to four permitted), a resume or CV, a Statement of Purpose (with an optional writing sample), GRE general test scores, and an application fee.

International applicants must additionally provide TOEFL or IELTS scores, though this requirement is waived for those whose undergraduate or graduate education was conducted at an English-speaking university. The ETS department code for GRE scores is 1801, the TOEFL department code is 84, and Emory’s institutional code is 5187. Applicants are encouraged to take the GRE by December, as scores are valid for five years.

Admissions decisions employ a holistic review process with no predetermined formula or rigid cutoffs. The committee considers the statement of purpose, GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical), academic record, letters of recommendation, previous training in economics, mathematics and statistics, and evidence of scholarly publication, research, or other academic qualifications. Recommended minimums include GRE Quantitative scores at or above the 60th percentile and GRE Verbal scores at or above the 50th percentile, though the department notes that most admitted applicants score significantly higher.

A master’s degree is not required for admission, though advanced coursework in economic theory, mathematics, and econometrics is advantageous. High grades in upper-level economics, mathematics, and statistics courses are recommended. Transfer students are accepted with a maximum of nine semester hours transferable, but they must take and pass all core examinations at Emory.

Core Curriculum and First-Year Coursework

The first year of the Emory Economics PhD is an intensive immersion in the theoretical and quantitative foundations of modern economics. The program begins in August with Quantitative Methods courses (Econ 526 and/or Econ 626), which prepare students for the mathematical rigor of the core theory sequences. Students with particularly strong mathematical backgrounds may petition to waive Econ 526.

The fall semester of the first year features three foundational courses: Microeconomic Theory I (Econ 600), Macroeconomic Theory I (Econ 610), and Probability Theory and Statistical Inference (Econ 620). These courses establish the analytical frameworks that underpin all advanced work in economics. International students who require additional language support may also take ELSP classes, though these do not count toward the 54-credit graduation requirement.

The spring semester continues with the second-level sequences: Microeconomic Theory II (Econ 601), Macroeconomic Theory II (Econ 611), and Econometric Methods I (Econ 621). By the end of the first year, students will have accumulated up to 30 credit hours and developed a comprehensive understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, probability theory, and the foundations of econometric methodology.

A distinctive feature of the first year is the Jones Program in Ethics (JPE) requirement. Students must complete JPE 600, a six-hour core seminar in scholarly integrity, typically offered as a one-day intensive course in the fall. This reflects Emory’s commitment to ethical research practices and prepares students for responsible scholarship throughout their careers. First-year students are also notably exempt from teaching and research assistant duties, allowing them to focus entirely on mastering the core curriculum.

Qualifying Examinations and Mastery Requirements

The qualifying examination process is one of the most critical milestones in the Emory Economics PhD program. After completing first-year coursework, students face three written core examinations in Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, and Probability/Statistics/Econometrics (PSE). These comprehensive exams are administered in May or June and test material both from and beyond the first-year courses.

A unique feature of Emory’s system is the Automatic Pass Provision. Students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher by the end of the spring semester may petition (in writing, within 48 hours of the grade deadline) for an automatic pass on core exams in areas where they earned an ‘A’ in both corresponding courses. This provision is granted at the DGS’s discretion in consultation with core instructors, rewarding exceptional classroom performance while maintaining examination standards.

All core examinations are graded on a blind basis, with students identified only by letter designations maintained by the Graduate Program Coordinator. This ensures objectivity in evaluation. A faculty committee then reviews both first-year course performance and core exam scores to assign a single overall grade of Pass, Retake, or Fail for each exam area.

Students who receive a “Retake” grade must retake one or two qualifying exams toward the end of summer. The committee re-evaluates after retakes, and failure on the second attempt results in a recommendation for dismissal from the program. Importantly, only one retake of up to two exams is permitted. Students who fail all three exams receive no retake opportunity and face dismissal, though they may be eligible for a master’s degree. Additionally, students with a first-year GPA below 2.7 cannot take core exams and cannot continue in the PhD program.

Research Focus Areas and Elective Courses at Emory

Beginning in the second year, Emory Economics PhD students expand their training through elective courses in three primary focus areas: Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Health/Applied Microeconomics. Students must complete a minimum of five elective courses, with at least two in one departmental focus area and at least three from the department’s elective offerings.

The Macroeconomics focus area offers courses in Monetary and Financial Economics (Econ 711), Topics in Macroeconomics and Finance (Econ 720), Computational and Empirical Economics (Econ 726), and International Finance (Econ 732). These courses prepare students for research at the intersection of macroeconomic theory, financial markets, and computational methods — areas of increasing importance in both academic and policy-oriented economics.

The Econometrics focus area builds on the core econometrics sequence with Advanced Microeconometrics (Econ 721), Time Series Econometrics (Econ 722), and two Topics in Econometrics courses (Econ 723 and Econ 727). These advanced courses equip students with sophisticated empirical tools essential for conducting cutting-edge research across all fields of economics.

The Health and Applied Microeconomics focus area is perhaps Emory’s most distinctive strength. Courses include Microeconomic Theory III (Econ 602), Law and Economics (Econ 742), Market Structure and Imperfect Competition (Econ 761), Labor Economics (Econ 763), Health Economics I and II (Econ 770/771), and a Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy (HPM 740) offered through the Rollins School of Public Health. This cross-departmental collaboration leverages Atlanta’s position as a center for public health research and policy.

Beyond departmental offerings, students can take courses at the Goizueta Business School, Rollins School of Public Health, School of Law, Mathematics Department, and the Department of Quantitative Theory and Methods. The ARCHE (Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education) program additionally allows enrollment at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia, with application deadlines of July 15 for fall and November 15 for spring semesters.

The Field Paper: A Critical Research Milestone

The field paper requirement represents the transition from coursework to independent research in the Emory Economics PhD program. This milestone paper must be completed by the end of the third year and serves as proof that the student can formulate an original research question, contribute to existing economic literature, and execute a research project from conception through completion.

The field paper process follows a carefully structured timeline. During the spring of the second year, students identify a research topic and find a Field Paper Advisor from the department faculty. The program explicitly notes that there is no expectation that the field paper advisor will become the dissertation advisor (though this frequently occurs), nor that the field paper topic will become part of the dissertation (though this is also common). The DGS helps broker agreements between students and potential advisors if needed and can assign an advisor if necessary.

Over the summer between the second and third years, students work on their field papers under their advisor’s supervision. By October or November of the third year, students must deliver an oral presentation of their work to the faculty. Passing this oral presentation — demonstrating a feasible research project, potential contribution to the literature, and sufficient progress — earns a “satisfactory” grade in Econ 699R.

The written field paper is due to the advisor and DGS in the spring of the third year. Students who fail to pass receive one additional opportunity during the subsequent summer term; a second failure results in a recommendation for dismissal from the program. The field paper requirement encourages early research development, fosters close faculty collaboration, and can be submitted to academic journals for publication — providing students with potential publications even before completing their dissertations. For context on how other programs structure similar research milestones, see our guide to the Columbia University PhD Admissions process.

Dissertation Process from Proposal to Defense

The doctoral dissertation is the culminating achievement of the Emory Economics PhD, representing an original contribution to economic knowledge. In economics, a PhD dissertation typically consists of a collection of potentially publishable research papers — usually three related essays, though one or two broader essays may be permitted with advisor approval. One essay can be based on the field paper, and students are highly encouraged to submit their essays to academic journals throughout the process.

The advising structure evolves across the program. During the first year, the Director of Graduate Studies serves as primary advisor and mentor. From the second year onward, students are expected to find a faculty member with mutual research interests who will guide them through the field paper, dissertation proposal, and defense. The transition from DGS mentoring to specialized faculty advising reflects the program’s emphasis on developing independent scholarship.

The Dissertation Committee must consist of the main advisor plus two or more additional members. The chair and at least two other members must be tenured or tenure-track Laney Graduate School (LGS) Graduate Faculty. Faculty from outside Emory may occasionally serve on committees with strong justification. The committee must be formed and approved by both the department and LGS no later than March 15 of the fourth year — missing this deadline triggers academic probation, loss of eligibility for Professional Development Support funds, and potential loss of financial support.

The Dissertation Proposal defense is a seminar presented to economics faculty and graduate students. An electronic copy must be submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator at least 14 days prior for faculty review. The proposal defense is intended to be academically constructive — evaluating whether the student has a novel and important idea and the capability to execute it — rather than a presentation of nearly completed work. Students who receive an “unsatisfactory” evaluation get one additional attempt in the subsequent semester.

The Final Dissertation Defense is a formal meeting conducted on campus with all committee members present (in person or via conferencing). The defense is open to all tenured and tenure-track faculty, and successful defense represents the final milestone before degree conferral. The Dissertation Workshop (Econ 791), which students attend throughout their second and third years (and are recommended to attend in all other years), provides ongoing preparation for this culminating event.

Financial Support, Stipends, and Professional Development

One of the most attractive features of the Emory Economics PhD program is its comprehensive financial support package. Nearly all graduate students receive a full tuition waiver and a competitive monthly stipend, contingent on maintaining good academic standing and adequate progress through the program. Stipends are paid on the last working day of each month, providing reliable income throughout the academic year.

The tuition scholarship covers full tuition as a credit (not cash), and students remain responsible for University fees. This distinction is important for financial planning, though the tuition waiver itself represents a substantial financial benefit given Emory’s private university tuition rates. Health insurance is required for all students — they must either enroll in Emory’s plan or demonstrate equivalent coverage meeting specific waiver criteria.

First-year students enjoy a particularly favorable arrangement: they have no research assistant or teaching assistant obligations, allowing them to dedicate their full attention to mastering the challenging core curriculum. From the second year onward, students typically contribute approximately 10 hours per week to RA or TA duties as part of their funding arrangement.

Advanced students can access additional funding through several channels. Teaching opportunities become available starting in the third year, with additional compensation for summer teaching. Research grants from faculty advisors may provide supplementary support. The Laney Graduate School offers Professional Development Support (PDS) funds for conference travel, supplementary training, and research expenses — critical resources for students building their professional networks and presenting early research. Competitive fellowships are also available through the University and LGS, and the LGS emergency loan program offers up to $1,000 for unexpected financial needs.

Teaching Requirements and the TATTO Sequence

The Emory Economics PhD program places significant emphasis on developing students as effective teachers, recognizing that most graduates will hold positions at colleges and universities where teaching is a core responsibility. The TATTO (Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity) sequence provides a structured progression from learning about pedagogy to independent classroom instruction.

The TATTO sequence begins in August of the second year with TATTO 600, a two-day intensive LGS workshop (1 credit) covering foundational principles of effective university teaching. This is followed by Econ 693: Teaching Economics (1 credit), taken in the fall of the second year, which focuses specifically on pedagogical approaches for economics instruction.

TATTO 605: Teaching Assistantship (2 credits) is completed when students are assigned as TAs, typically in the second or third year. Students gain practical experience supporting faculty in course delivery, leading discussion sections, grading, and mentoring undergraduate students. The capstone of the teaching sequence is TATTO 610: Teaching Associateship (2 credits), completed when students teach their own course — a transformative experience that prepares them for the classroom responsibilities they will assume in their academic careers.

Alongside the TATTO sequence, students must complete the Jones Program in Ethics (JPE) requirements. Beyond the initial JPE 600 seminar in scholarly integrity, students must accumulate six hours of program-based ethics instruction (within courses or faculty-led workshops) and attend a minimum of four public topical workshops, training sessions, or lectures sponsored by the LGS, Emory Center for Ethics, or similar organizations. This comprehensive ethics training reflects Emory’s commitment to producing scholars who uphold the highest standards of research integrity. For comparison with how other leading programs structure their doctoral training, see our guide to the UT Austin PhD in Social Work.

Career Outcomes and Professional Preparation

The Emory Economics PhD program explicitly prepares students for three primary career paths: academic positions at colleges and universities, research positions in private organizations and industry, and policy-oriented roles in government agencies. The program’s emphasis on bringing “academic knowledge and rigor to the public arena” positions graduates to contribute meaningfully to public discourse on pressing economic issues.

The program’s research focus areas align strategically with high-demand fields in the economics profession. Graduates specializing in health economics benefit from Emory’s proximity to the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and Atlanta’s extensive healthcare industry. Econometrics specialists are well-positioned for both academic and industry roles as demand for sophisticated data analysis continues to grow across sectors. Macroeconomics graduates find opportunities at central banks, international financial institutions, and research-oriented policy organizations.

Several program features are specifically designed to enhance career preparation beyond research skills. The TATTO teaching sequence ensures that graduates enter the academic job market with verified teaching experience and formal pedagogical training. The Dissertation Workshop (Econ 791) exposes students to ongoing research presentations and academic discourse throughout their tenure. The field paper requirement produces potential journal publications before graduation, strengthening candidates’ research portfolios for the competitive academic job market.

The program also supports career development through its cross-institutional connections. Students who take courses at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, or UGA through the ARCHE program build networks across the Atlanta academic community. Access to the Goizueta Business School and Rollins School of Public Health creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that can lead to unique research profiles. Professional Development Support funds from the LGS help students present at conferences, build visibility in their fields, and establish the professional relationships that often lead to job opportunities.

For students considering Emory alongside other doctoral programs, the combination of full funding, a clear milestone-driven progression, strong health economics focus, and Atlanta’s growing research ecosystem makes this program a compelling choice in the landscape of economics doctoral education. Prospective applicants interested in exploring more graduate programs can also review our guide to the Penn State Clinical Psychology PhD for perspective on other research-intensive doctoral programs.