Economics

This Ph.D. in Applied Economics is designed to satisfy a growing demand for Doctorates in government service, private industry and in the universities. To reflect this, the area of specialization is Public Economics. This specialization encompasses the whole breadth of public policy concerns, including public expenditure, finance, health economics, education economics, natural resource economics and environmental economics, and will equip students very well for a high-level, policy-making career in the public sector or to become faculty members in universities if they favour this career option. Applied economics is becoming more important everywhere in the world and universities in Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere are increasingly seeking professors with these skills. For those students interested in remaining in higher education, the Department of Economics at the University of Waterloo will provide a range of teaching experience that will advantage them in the academic job market.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Applied Economics Ph.D. must meet the following conditions:

• hold a master’s degree in economics, or a master’s degree in a related field, with a minimum 80% average in course work. Students who have been admitted to the Economics Department’s own Master’s Degree Program may apply for admission to the Applied Ph.D. Program after their first term if they receive an average of 80% or more in the core Master’s courses (Microeconomic Theory I, Macroeconomic Theory I, and Econometrics I).
• submit three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from academic sources.
• submit a one-page Statement of Academic Interest.
• provide proof of competency in English (if applicable). The usual means of proving competency is by taking one of the following examinations and achieving the minimum score listed:CAEL 70, IELTS 7.5, MELAB 90, TOEFL 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), 90 (internet-based). See the Graduate Studies Calendar - Academic Regulations for details on acceptable tests of English.
• a GRE score is not required but is recommended for all international applicants.

The application deadline is February 1.

Structure and Duration of the Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed within four years.

Degree Requirements

• Ten one-term courses beyond the M.A. degree: six core requirements and four electives
• Written comprehensive exams in Micro, Macro and Econometrics - Part 1
• Oral thesis prospectus examination - Part 2
• Two doctoral seminar credits

• Thesis Defense

The core courses are Economics 701 (Microeconomic Theory II), Economics 702 (Macroeconomic Theory II), and Economics 721 (Econometrics II).

The specialization Public Economics includes courses in Public expenditure policy, Health economics, Fiscal federalism, Taxation, Natural resource economics and policy, Environmental economics and policy, Trade and development, and Labour economics.

Comprehensive Examinations

Part 1 - Written Comprehensive Exams

A written examination covering microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory and econometrics. Normally, students will not attempt this examination before passing Econ 701, 702 and 721. One re-write per topic, usually to be completed in the first year, will be allowed. No student will be granted a third attempt. 

A minimum of three Economics Department members will comprise the examining committee.

Part 2 - Oral Thesis Prospectus

An oral examination covering the candidate's thesis prospectus.

A committee of four people including the student's thesis supervisor, two others from the Department of Economics, and one other member of the Graduate Faculty, comprise the examining committee.

When the student has passed both the written and oral comprehensive examinations and completes a minimum of four additional courses, the department will admit the candidate to the research portion of the doctoral program. The course work as well as the Oral Thesis Prospectus examination should be completed by the end of the fall term of Year 3.

Doctoral Seminar Credits

The two doctoral seminar credits require attendance at Department seminars and two presentations of the student's own work, one in year three and one in year four. 

Thesis Defense

At the conclusion of the thesis research, a final oral examination will be taken. The thesis defence will consist of a public seminar (at which the candidate presents the thesis) and a meeting between the candidate and the appointed examining committee.

The comprehensive examinations, doctoral seminar credits, and thesis dissertation are "milestones" which make up part of the Ph.D. degree requirements. These milestones are automatically added to each student's record during the first term of their program. The milestones remain "in progress" until completed.

Financial Assistance in the Ph.D. Program