Progressing to a PhD

Progressing to a PhD

If you are a student in the MA in Economics program who is potentially interested in continuing your studies in an Economics PhD program at CEU, here is some guidance on how to facilitate a smooth transition to the PhD program, allowing you to obtain your PhD degree much faster. If you follow these guidelines you can complete a substantial part of the required PhD coursework during your studies in the MA program and also substantially increases your chances of admission into the Economics PhD program here at CEU. In fact, following the guidelines might help you get into PhD programs at other schools.

How do I indicate my interest?

You can express your interest in the Economics PhD at CEU at any time during your studies in the MA in Economics program but you are encouraged to do so before starting the Spring semester in your first year. Please email the program head and indicate your main areas of interest. You are assigned a preliminary advisor who helps you in selecting the coursework and prepare you for the PhD program and for research.

What are the guidelines?

  • You should take the core PhD courses Advanced Macroeconomics, Advanced Econometrics 1&2 in your second year.
  • You are also strongly encouraged to take at least some comprehensive exams (microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics) in your second year.
  • You should take PhD level courses offered in the MA program as electives (including the advanced courses in the sequences), keeping in mind what your areas of specialization will be.
  • You should maintain a GPA of at least 3.33.

What is the benefit of following the guidelines?

You may transfer your comprehensive exams and up to 24 credits of PhD-level courses out of the required 38 course credits in the PhD program, allowing you to finish most PhD coursework in the first year of your PhD and even leaving time to start your research.  You also get an early advisor to guide you through your studies and help you think about research. While your acceptance to the CEU Economics PhD program is not automatic by following the above guidelines, it does substantially strengthen your application. If you apply to other schools, they might also acknowledge some course credits but you would have to consult them.