CSU's doctoral program in economics has a national and international reputation of excellence in the fields of environmental economics, political economy, and regional economics. Our faculty and students are pluralists who specialize in a wide range of economic thought.
Our Ph.D. program prepares students for academic careers in the U.S. and around the world, as well as advanced assignments in government agencies and the private sector. Recent PhD job placements include tenure-track faculty positions at California State University San Bernardino, Colorado College, Denison University, Monmouth University, Morehouse College, Pepperdine University, University of Denver, University of Texas Arlington, University of Utah and at a range of universities globally. Recent public sector placements include the Colorado Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment among others. In addition, our PhD graduates have gone on to post-doctoral scholar positions, local government, and to both permanent and visiting teaching positions at a range of universities.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Achieve mastery of theories in microeconomics, macroeconomics, political economy and econometrics and demonstrate the ability to critically assess core assumptions, logical structure, and propositions from a broad range of theories to address current issues and policy questions.
- Achieve mastery of empirical methods and demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and practice methods of testing the validity of hypotheses and determining causal inferences.
- Demonstrate skill in disciplinary communication through writing and presentations.
- Gain professional experience through engagement in a variety of research and teaching activities.
- Gain employment as professional economists in academia, the private sector, or government or employment in related fields.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ECON 501 | Quantitative Methods for Economists | 3 |
| ECON 505 | History of Economic Thought | 3 |
| ECON 604 | Macroeconomic Analysis I | 3 |
| ECON 606/AREC 606 | Microeconomic Analysis I | 3 |
| ECON 635/AREC 635 | Econometric Theory I | 3 |
| ECON 704 | Macroeconomic Analysis II | 3 |
| ECON 705 | Heterodox Approaches to Economics | 3 |
| ECON 706/AREC 706 | Microeconomic Analysis II | 3 |
| ECON 737 | Advanced Econometrics | 3 |
| Advanced Electives 1 | 15 | |
| Research and Dissertation | ||
| ECON 698 | Research--Technical Paper 2 | 3 |
| ECON 799 | Dissertation 3 | 27 |
| Exams 4 | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Electives do not include ECON 699 or ECON 784 or ECON 799. Electives must be 500-level or above ECON or AREC/ECON courses.
- 2
Students have the option to apply for the Plan B MA degree following completion of ECON 698, along their way toward the PhD.
- 3
The dissertation is a substantial, independent research project that contributes new knowledge to the field of Economics. Students may enroll in ECON 799 more than once to complete the 27 total credits.
- 4
Preliminary and final dissertation defense examinations are required. The preliminary defense is a public oral presentation that presents preliminary research or scholarly findings corresponding to the dissertation in progress with committee-level questioning following the public presentation. The final defense is a public oral presentation that presents research or scholarly findings corresponding to the complete dissertation with committee-level questioning following the public presentation.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |