Bilkent University

The Ph.D. program in economics is a program requiring the attainment of scientific competence in conformity with international scientific standards. Admission to the doctoral program is by written application and an evaluation by the department. It is expected that admitted students will be adequately prepared in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. (Also refer to the "Graduate Admissions" section in the introduction of this catalog for the general graduate admission requirements.)

All students take a common core curriculum at the outset and later branch out in the desired fields of specialization. Well-prepared students should anticipate spending approximately two years in course work and another two years in seminars, independent study, and dissertation research. While exceptional progress may make a three-year program feasible, some types of research programs will require at least five years to complete.

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must:

1. Successfully complete the core curriculum for PhD degree in Economics. The courses in the core curriculum for PhD degree in Economics include the graduate level Microeconomic Theory (ECON 503-504), Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 505-506), Mathematics for Economists (ECON 515-516), Probability and Statistics (ECON 509-510), Research Paper (ECON 595-596) sequences and Pre-Thesis Seminars (ECON 591-592-691-692), Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics (GE 500), Academic Practices (GE 690), Research Methods in Economics I and II (ECON 695-696) and the PhD Dissertation (ECON 699) courses.
2. In addition to the courses above, successfully complete 6 elective courses (at least 3 credit courses). These courses have to be graduate level courses. Some graduate courses offered by other departments may be counted towards this requirement.
3. Show competence in two comprehensive field examinations - one written and one oral, within the first five semesters after being admitted to the PhD program.
4. Submit a detailed thesis proposal while taking the ECON 699 course and give a seminar on this work.
5. A paper based on the candidate's thesis must be accepted or published in a reputable journal before the dissertation can be defended.
6. Submit and successfully defend a dissertation that represents a contribution to knowledge in the field.

Candidates must be in residence for a minimum of three years including the period spent on the Master of Arts program.

During each semester of the second year at least three credit units of electives must be taken. The Ph.D. candidate may also take elective courses for credit in the third and fourth years of study. These electives may include courses from other departments or institutions as well as courses offered by the Department. There is no upper or lower limit on the number of such courses.