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Program Requirements

University & Department Requirements for Ph.D. Students:

Thank you for inquiring about the program requirements for doctoral students in the Department of Economics at UC San Diego. Specific information on the doctoral program course and requirements can be found in the corresponding pages on the left. Please review all resources thoroughly, including the Graduate Division FAQ, and should you have additional questions, please email us at econ-phdadmissions@ucsd.edu.

While matriculating through the program, it is expected that a doctoral student or candidate in good standing will:

  • maintain full time status (12 units) to be eligible for financial support
  • complete a minimum of 6 quarters in residence
  • pass the qualifying examinations
  • complete a computation course (ECON 280)
  • complete an empirical project (as part of ECON 220F)
  • maintain at least a 3.0 GPA
  • complete the elective requirements
  • successfully complete an oral qualifying examination
  • complete a second year Spring written project
  • complete a third-year original paper
  • complete and successfully defend a dissertation
  • must complete Graduate Research Workshop (Econ 286) at least one time to maximum of four times

Notes: There is no foreign language requirement. The typical program matriculation time is 5 years. Program requirements are subject to change.

Please review specific information on requirements here: