How to Get a Doctorate in Economics

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 13, 2021 References

In order to teach economics and become a part of the top tier of academia, receiving a doctorate degree is the final stage of your mission. Doctorate programs can take as long as 5 to 7 years and require extensive, laborious research, but by receiving preliminary degrees, assembling the necessary test scores and letters of recommendation, and completing all the necessary coursework, you will one day be able to reach your goal.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Receiving Your Preliminary Education

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Receive an undergraduate degree. Although the focus of your undergraduate degree is not vital, you should choose a field that is relevant to economics to begin your education. Focusing on economics right away will help prepare your for advanced schooling and your eventual career. Complete your undergraduate with a high GPA, shooting for the best grades you are capable of. Focus on economic courses, but try to get strong grades in all of your core classes as well.^{[1]
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Take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). Study for the GRE and receive at least a 800 in the mathematics portion of the test. Prepare for the GRE well beforehand and take the exam as seriously as an application. You can retake the exam if your scores aren’t satisfactory.^{[2]
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3
Complete a master's degree in economics. Choose a school that best suits your needs and apply to the school as early as possible. Apply for any scholarships that are available, and then enroll and complete your master's degree in two years. Take note of the subfields you enjoy the most - microeconomics? Macroeconomics? When you apply for a Ph.D, it'll be important to choose a specialization you want to know more about.^{[3]
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- Although pursuing a master's degree is not essential to your doctorate program career, taking two years and spending the money could be worth it in the long run.
4
Develop meaningful, professional relationships with at least two professors. Do this throughout your undergraduate and master's degree programs, and curate the relationships with as much attention as possible. Learn from these professors and illustrate your continual commitment to the field of economics. Ask them questions as often as possible and spend time with them during their office hours.^{[4]
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- By studying hard and communicating well with professors, you will be able to build relationships that will not only help your studies and focus, but also help with letters of recommendation later on.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Applying to Doctorate Programs

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Identify which programs you would like to apply to. Take the time to evaluate different programs and make a list of your top choices. Ask your professors and colleagues about each school so that you have direct information about them. Learn about each program’s admission requirements and become familiar with each program’s application process by visiting their websites.^{[5]
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- If you can, visit the college’s campus and speak with as many professors as possible before you apply.
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Speak with the admissions departments of each school. Communicate directly with an admissions employee to identify exactly what is necessary to complete your application. Although the program’s website should have all relevant information, speaking with someone over the phone or in person will ensure that nothing slides through the cracks.^{[6]
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- Write the application deadline on a calendar, or add the deadline to your phone so that you are reminded of the date.
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Ask for letters of recommendation from two to five professors. Find professionals who know you well and who are willing to put in the time to write a letter of recommendation. Ask the professors in person and give them at least three weeks to write the letter. Follow up with them before the deadline so they don’t forget, and make sure to thank them for their help.^{[7]
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Assemble all the necessary documents for your application. Collect your undergraduate transcripts, resume, cover letter, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose before the application deadline. Prepare each of these documents at least two weeks before the application deadline in case something has been forgotten.^{[8]
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- Although these are the typical application requirements, some programs may require further documentation.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Completing the First Two Years of Your Program

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Complete your coursework requirements. Attend and complete your doctorate program’s mandatory coursework and lectures in order to move on in the doctoral process. Gather as much information as you can during lectures, taking notes and speaking directly to professors. Begin to think about your dissertation and the topics within economics that interest you most.^{[9]
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- Although grades are not a primary focus in these lectures, you will be dependent on the information later on in your academic and professional life.
- Every lecture is an opportunity to find a topic of focus for your dissertation, so keep this in mind throughout this period of your doctoral education.
2
Finish your doctorate residency in economics. Accomplish this integral step of your degree while completing your classwork as a doctoral student in economics. Be open to the feedback given to you during your residency, as it will provide you with thorough and rigorous feedback on research topics, preparing you for the development of your dissertation.^{[10]
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- Residencies act as the preliminary step in the dissertation process, and you can begin writing and preparing your dissertation during the residency.
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Pass your program’s comprehensive examinations. Study for these examinations carefully and intensely by paying close attention during your residency and lectures. Work on developing a thorough and/or original point of view on economic issues in order to have something relevant to contribute to your field of study during these examinations.^{[11]
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- These tests are necessary in moving on to writing your dissertation and, ultimately, receiving your graduate degree.
4
Prepare a research proposal for your dissertation. Identify a unique topic in the field of economics that you would like to spend your time researching. Create your proposal by coming up with a title, writing an abstract summary, and developing a distinctive thesis. Your research proposal should convince the doctorate program that your dissertation will be a worthwhile and original topic of study.^{[12]
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- Be sure to submit the research proposal by the due date.
- For instance, you might write about economic causes of migration, an economic analysis on a socio-economic topic of your choosing, or the relationship between economic growth and consumption. The sky's open!

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Writing Your Dissertation

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Research your dissertation topic. Spend as much time as necessary researching your dissertation topic, preparing for major scholarly writing. Acquire data that supports your thesis, doing so until you have enough research to create a compelling argument. Spend 6 months to a year researching your dissertation topic. ^{[13]
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- Use existing scholarly writing and primary sources when researching your topic.
2
Begin writing your dissertation months before it is due. Compile your data into academic writing, supporting your thesis in an organized way. Complete your own multi-chapter scholarly text on a unique and relevant topic to economics and be ready to defend this thesis during a presentation. Write at least 70,000 to 100,000 words in order to successfully make your argument.
- There are distinct guidelines to follow when formatting your dissertation.
3
Ask professors and colleagues to edit your dissertation. After you’ve written your first draft, read through the writing and make all necessary edits. Once you’ve done a round of edits yourself, ask respected colleges and professionals in the field to provide edits for you. Ask that they correct spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and look for any holes in your research.
- Because dissertations are so long, do not be discouraged if some people are too busy to provide edits.
- It is nice to give people a small gift if they agree to edit your dissertation.
4
Defend your dissertation. Prepare to be questioned intensely by colleagues and superiors during the defense of your dissertation. Dress professionally and have your dissertation and research prepared in a formal presentation, with detailed knowledge of each point you make. Practice giving your defense thoroughly beforehand, and communicate with colleagues and professionals who are familiar with your line of study.^{[14]
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- Defending your thesis is the last stage necessary to completing your doctorate degree, so take time preparing your defense.

Community Q&A

Question

What's the age limit for a PhD student?

Community Answer

There isn't any age limit for a PhD program, just as there is no age limit for any college degree.
Question

How many years do you need to study to get a doctorate degree in economics?

Community Answer

Doctorate programs themselves take 5 to 7 years, but the prerequisite education needed to begin your doctorate degree take around 6 years to complete, which comes out to 11 to 13 years total.
Question

How do I find a school in South Africa if I want a doctorate?

Community Answer

Search online for doctorate programs in South Africa. You can also use a search engine to find doctorate programs in specific areas close to you.

Warnings

Pursuing a doctorate in Economics will be intensive and time-consuming. Be prepared to make sacrifices in other parts of your life while you pursue this rigorous course of study.

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