Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from an accredited college or university, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, but do not need to hold a masters degree.
• Applicants should possess strong analytical skills, a good background in economics and mathematics, and a serious commitment to producing research.
• Economics majors with a strong undergraduate record and a robust quantitative background are preferred. The Department will also occasionally admit applicants with strong quantitative skills who have minimal prior exposure to economics, but who have majored in analytical subjects such as mathematics, physics, engineering, etc.
• It is expected that applicants have passed a one-year course in calculus and are familiar with undergraduate intermediate macroeconomic and microeconomic analysis and with basic statistics. Familiarity with multi-variate calculus, linear algebra, and probability theory is desirable but is not required. Familiarity with computer programming tools such as MATLAB and SAS is valuable but is not required.

Supplemental Materials

• Personal Statement
  PhD applicants should upload a Personal Statement detailing why they wish to pursue Economics study at UB. Further instructions are included in the online application. (A Personal Statement is optional for Master's applicants.)
• Curriculum Vitae
  PhD applicants should upload a current Curriculum Vitae (CV). (A CV is optional for Master's applicants.)
• Academic Transcripts
  All applicants must upload an unofficial or official transcript or academic record for each institution indicated in the Educational Background section of the online application, even if a degree was not granted. These documents must be uploaded before the application is submitted. If an applicant applies before they have completed an undergraduate degree, transcripts and degree conferral certificates/proof of degree will be required as soon as they become available or upon arrival on campus. Admission will be considered “provisional” until the department receives the final official transcript and proof of degree.
  • Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. If possible, ensure the institution has put the applicant's name on the transcript/record. Do not mail in a copy of a transcript or academic record which has been uploaded to the online application, unless requested.
• Letters of Recommendation
  The online form will ask PhD applicants to submit names of their recommenders, who will then be prompted to submit recommendations through the online system. (Letters of Recommendation are optional for Master's applicants.)
• General Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  The department recommends (not requires) all Masters applicants to take the general GRE for admission consideration.