columbia university economics phd application

Application Management

Welcome to the columbia university graduate school of arts and sciences application..

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PhD Admissions

Your doctoral career starts here.

Columbia Business School offers rigorous PhD programs through five academic divisions: Accounting, Decision, Risk, & Operations (DRO), Finance, Management, and Marketing. Our doctoral programs are designed to develop scholars who are capable of advancing the frontiers of knowledge in their respective fields. With a strong emphasis on research and academic excellence, our PhD programs prepare students for academic excellence and successful careers in academia, industry, and government. Join our community of scholars and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field.

Our Admissions team is here to support you throughout the application process. Start by reviewing the application requirements , explore our FAQs for common questions, and contact us for personalized assistance as needed.

Application Process 

Step 1: select your program.

Explore the doctoral options offered by our academic divisions:

• Accounting : Emphasizes rigorous research and analytical skills, preparing students to contribute significantly to the academic and professional fields of accounting.
• Decision, Risk, & Operations (DRO) : Focuses on the mathematical and analytical foundations of decision-making, risk management, and operations, ideal for candidates with a strong background in mathematics.
• Finance : Provides in-depth training in financial theory and quantitative methods, preparing students for high-impact careers in academia and industry.
• Management : Covers subareas such as Organizational Behavior, Strategy, and Organizational Theory, seeking candidates with a strong interest in management research.
• Marketing : Offers two subareas: Consumer Behavior and Quantitative Modeling, encouraging students to explore diverse methodologies and topics in marketing.

A PhD in Business Economics is offered through the Columbia University GSAS Department of Economics. Please note the admissions process for this program is separate.

We encourage all interested applicants to attend an event to learn more about CBS and our programs. 

Step 2: Prepare Your Materials

Carefully review the application requirements to ensure you have all necessary materials, including test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. If you’re applying to the Decision, Risk, and Operations (DRO) program, you also have the option to submit a research paper as part of your application.

For additional guidance, visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions, or reach out to our Admissions team for personalized support with any further inquiries.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

After carefully preparing your materials, submit your completed application through our secure online portal . 

Double-check that all required documents are uploaded, and ensure your application fee is paid to finalize your submission. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application.

Step 4: Await Your Decision

Following the submission of your application, our Admissions Committee will thoroughly review your materials and provide you with a response by the indicated decision date. 

If you are accepted, you will receive an invitation to join us on campus for a PhD Admitted Students Day, hosted by your program's Academic Division. This exclusive event offers you the opportunity to connect with faculty, future classmates, and gain a deeper insight into life at Columbia Business School.

Take a Virtual Tour of Our Manhattanville Campus

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Economics, MA

Program Category:  MA Programs Chair:  Michael Woodford MA Program Director:  Bernard Salanié Website:   econ.columbia.edu/masters Degree Programs:  Full-Time: Free-Standing MA

The free-standing MA program in Economics is intended for students who wish to improve their knowledge of economic theory and its applications, but who plan to pursue only the MA degree. The free-standing MA program may also be of interest to students seeking further training in economics before deciding whether to pursue a PhD in economics. Students interested in earning a PhD are advised to apply to the  PhD program  directly.

The MA program has been designed to provide a technical and rigorous approach to the study of economic theory. At the same time, the program offers students the flexibility to take field electives in order to tailor their programs of study to their academic and professional goals. We welcome applications from all students who would like to pursue a free-standing MA degree in Economics at Columbia University. Admission to the MA program is limited to highly-qualified applicants, and study must be undertaken on a full-time basis.

The MA program in Economics requires successful completion of 22 credits through eight core classes and 9 credits through the program elective classes. Students satisfy the course requirements for the MA degree in three semesters: four required classes in the first fall semester, three required classes in the following spring semester, one required class in the second fall semester, and electives completed between the spring and second fall semesters. In addition, each student will be required to complete a research paper by the end of the third semester. The research paper will have to demonstrate mastery of the field, along with the ability to think originally and to convey results clearly in writing.

Special Admissions Requirements

An undergraduate degree in economics is not required for admission to the MA program, but a strong background in undergraduate economics is highly recommended (principles of economics, intermediate microeconomics, and intermediate macroeconomics). Substantial training in college-level calculus and statistics is also recommended (multivariate calculus, linear algebra, and statistics). Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and breadth of their undergraduate preparation for the study of economics at the graduate level.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit one transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation from academic sources.

A minimum of two academic references is required for all applicants. If you choose to include a recommendation from an internship supervisor, the MA program in Economics strongly prefers that this reference either be related to academic or research work done at a central bank or think tank or an in-person internship that lasted at least 2 months.

All applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit English proficiency exam scores. The English proficiency requirement can be fulfilled through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

For more information, refer to our  Admissions Information  and  Frequently Asked Questions  pages.

*To be eligible for admission in GSAS, at least TWO letters must be submitted by academic recommenders. You may include up to four letters in your application, regardless of the number required by your program of interest.

Enter a Search Term

PhD In Sustainable Development

• A SIPA Education
• Masters Program

Application Deadlines

The application for the PhD Program in Sustainable Development is now open. Begin your application here .

Final Application: December 12, 2024

Program Length

Degree awarded.

The sustainability of development presents some of the most important policy challenges concerning the future of our planet, and it requires an interdisciplinary approach involving the social, natural, engineering, and health sciences. The PhD in Sustainable Development includes a set of rigorous core requirements in the social and natural sciences designed to provide a deep understanding of the interaction between natural and social systems, and provides students with the flexibility to pursue in-depth research in a broad variety of critical policy areas. No other doctoral program produces graduates with the unique combination of diverse skills and deep insight into the most challenging problems of future human welfare. Together with experts and faculty at Columbia, you’ll conduct research in a wide variety of areas, including climate change and its social consequences, causes and solutions to extreme poverty, energy systems, agricultural transitions, water resources, and more.

Director Perspective

“we demand that our students are experts in physical systems and social systems... something that is not done anywhere else.”, – john mutter, director.

Who It's For

The PhD program in Sustainable Development is for those looking to pursue rigorous scholarship and research at the boundary between social and natural sciences. Students should have an interest in pursuing academic careers in interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs with a focus on policy and the environment as well as in the more traditional social science disciplines. This degree is also ideal for students interested in a variety of non-academic career paths, including leadership roles in government ministries throughout the world, creating environmental and sustainable development policy for NGOs, in international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, or in private firms engaged in environmental and development projects.

Career Paths

Students have their choice of academic positions as tenure-track professors or post-doctoral fellows, as well as high-level positions in non-academic fields, such as the private or NGO sector, government, or finance.

Students in the first two years of the program generally take a total of 60 credits in the areas of sustainable development, economics, qualitative analysis, natural sciences, and social science. This is followed by the planning and execution of research. In the third and fourth years, students may take electives as needed for ongoing research and preparation for the oral exam. The fifth year is highlighted by the dissertation defense.  Learn more »

Program Information

Students must complete the following as part of this program.

• At least 60 overall credits
• Completion of an MA thesis
• Completion of a dissertation prospectus and oral examination for the MPhil
• Six semesters of teaching or research fellowships assignments
• Defense of dissertation

Given that a large part of the program’s curriculum is dedicated to a unique set of required core courses, credit for previous work is  very   rarely  granted. However, credit for previous graduate work done elsewhere, at a GPA of 3.5 or higher,  may  be granted on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the program directors after a student has been admitted to the program, and cannot exceed a total of 30 credits.

Visit the FAQ page for more details on program requirements or other program information.

Admission to the PhD program is processed by the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS); please refer to their website for basic  admission requirements .

The PhD program requires the following:

• Strong background in social science, including four courses in college-level social science with a minimum of two economics courses
• Quantitative skills, including at least two courses in college-level calculus through multivariate calculus (Calculus III in the US) and at least one college-level course in linear algebra
• Three or more college-level courses in natural science or engineering is strongly recommended.

Visit the FAQ page for more details on admission requirements or other program information.

Alumni Placements

Student Profiles

Student Work

View all Events »

John Mutter Director, PhD in Sustainable Development Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and of International and Public Affairs +1 212-854-0716 [email protected]

Tomara Aldrich Program Coordinator School of International & Public Affairs 420 West 118 Street New York, NY 10027 [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Economics and Education PhD

Doctor of philosophy in economics and education.

Admission Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Points/Credits: 75
• Entry Terms: Fall
• Enrollment Formats: Full-Time

Application Deadlines

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

For admission-related inquiries, please contact [email protected] .

Additional Degree Information

Program Guide

Doctoral Program Worksheet

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

View Full Catalog Listing

This 75-point degree program is intended for individuals who want to acquire advanced training in the theory, methods, and practices in the economics of education. It is a highly selective program to prepare individuals for leadership roles in teaching, research, or administrative settings.

The coursework for this program consists of three parts: core courses, courses in research methods, and courses in a specialized area of study, such as higher education, early childhood education, field experimentation, or a regional focus. Students work on their dissertation under the guidance of faculty advisors within the program; additional members of the dissertation committee may be drawn from other TC Departments, and at least one committee member must be from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. All degrees are conferred by Columbia University. https://www.tc.columbia.edu/education-policy-and- social-analysis/economics-and-education/degrees/doctor-of-philosophy- in-economics-and-education-econ/

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly selective. All applications to enter the program are evaluated on an individual and holistic basis. However, the curriculum of the degree program assumes that students have some previous coursework in economics and statistics, possess intellectual maturity, and demonstrate an interest in education policy and practice. Compelling applications for admission demonstrate the applicant’s capacity for success and also clearly explain how the Economics and Education curriculum fits with the applicant’s past experiences and future goals.

• View Other Degrees

Program Director : Professor Judith Scott-Clayton

Teachers College, Columbia University 212 Zankel, Suite B

Contact Person: Katherine Y. Chung, Program Manager

Phone: (212) 678-3677 Fax: (212) 678-3677

Email: kc2610@tc.columbia.edu

Read below to determine and select the application that will best suit your academic goals.

Before You Start

If you have not already done so, make sure you review the application requirements before you begin your online application. Applicants may not submit more than one application per academic term.

See Requirements

For the full list of our available programs, please use our website's Program Finder tool.

Find Programs

Applications for On-Campus Programs

To find your program on the application, select the department or institute first, and then the degree. 

Columbia Engineering offers many certificate and professional programs. This link is for on-campus programs only. For the application to online programs, visit Columbia Video Network . 

Applications for Columbia University Student and Alumni Options

The MS Express application is a simplified process of applying to Columbia Engineering's Master of Science programs available to currently enrolled seniors at Columbia Engineering, Columbia College, Barnard, General Studies and young alumni (young alumni are students who graduated from Columbia Engineering, Columbia College, Barnard, or General Studies within the last five years). A minimum cumulative 3.50 GPA is required.

Columbia Engineering undergraduates and young alumni may apply to any engineering MS program using the express application. Applicants from Columbia College, Barnard, or General Studies should refer to this chart to determine eligibility .

Application Requirements:

• Official transcripts
• Personal statement
• Resume or CV
• Contact information for three reference providers
• No application fee required

The Integrated BS/MS Program is offered in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The program is open only to Columbia University juniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.40. After earning the BS degree, students are able to seamlessly proceed toward earning their MS degree. Merging the BS and MS programs allows Columbia students to earn the MS degree in a very flexible and efficient manner.

The Barnard 4+1 Pathway is offered to current Barnard College juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher to apply to Master's programs in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Students should inquire with Beyond Barnard and plan on attending an introductory information sessions for the unique 4+1 Pathway they may be interested in pursuing. Each introductory session will be led by faculty advisors, who will be available to provide an overview of the program and its requirements, the admission process, and to advise students. Deadline: February 15th of Junior year.

The Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (MD/MS) dual degree program is an integrated program offered between the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. The purpose of this program is to supplement the current training of medical students with world-class training in biomedical engineering at the graduate-level. This interdisciplinary educational experience will prepare students to become innovative leaders in science, engineering, and medicine. The program is open to a select group of Columbia medical students and makes possible the earning of both the MD and MS degree in 5 years (4 years for the MD program, 1 year for the MS program). The program allows for 6 pts from the MD degree, through completion of anatomy coursework, counted toward the Master of Science degree requirements.

• Current status of third year MD student at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University

Applications for Online Programs 

Since its inception in 1986, Columbia Video Network (CVN) has been leading the field of online learning, enabling thousands of working professionals and remotely-located students to benefit from our part-time, online graduate engineering degree and certificate programs without having to come on campus.

CVN offers online master's, doctorate (DES), certificate, and non-degree programs. Note, students may not submit applications to both on-campus and online programs.

Apply to Online Programs

Application for Dual MBA/Executive MS: Engineering & Applied Science (MBAXMS) 

This new dual degree program, focused on the creative application of technology, is ideal for entrepreneurs, engineers, or product managers looking to move their organizations forward by leveraging new technologies or designing and implementing innovative products and solutions.

Students receive an MBA from Columbia Business School (CBS) and an Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science from Columbia's University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

Apply to MBAXMS

Application for Non-Degree Programs

Individuals interested in enrolling in graduate coursework at Columbia Engineering as non-degree students should consider our One-Term Non-Degree program.

Enrollment for the One-Term Non-Degree program will take place during the first week of the semester. Students must submit the Non-Degree Application and select the One-Term Non-Degree option. For submission, course instructors' approval is required and space is not guaranteed. One-Term Non-Degree students will be permitted to take a maximum of two graduate engineering courses in any one term or within the period of one academic year.  For more information, please get in touch with us at [email protected] .  

Students interested in applying to the Visiting Graduate Non-Degree program should apply via the N on-Degree Application and select the Visiting Graduate Non-Degree option.

Apply to Non-Degree Programs

Questions About the Application Process?

See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for a comprehensive list of questions and answers covering every aspect of application and admission to Columbia Engineering.

Browse FAQs

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Tuition and Financial Aid

Fellowships.

All applicants who apply to the Columbia Business School Doctoral Program are considered for merit-based fellowships and tuition. There is no separate financial aid application. Candidates selected for the Doctoral Program in most cases receive merit-based fellowships covering tuition and school expenses , including a stipend for living expenses.

Assistantships

Both teaching and research assistantships are available. Students are limited to two assistantships per term, and first-term students are strongly advised to carry only one assistantship.

Tuition Exemption

PhD students receive tuition exemption for up to 15 points per term. Tuition exemption is arranged for all approved coursework while the candidate is in the program.

Research Center Funding

Research Centers at Columbia Business School also provide focus for faculty and doctoral student research and may provide support for doctoral research.

Center on Japanese Economy and Business Doctoral Fellowship Available to Incoming, Japan-Focused PhDs

The Center on Japanese Economy and Business Doctoral Fellowship is available to any PhD applicant to the Columbia University Department of Economics or Columbia Business School who is interested in developing a Japan expertise, culminating in a dissertation focused primarily on Japan.

The Fellowship provides full funding for an incremental doctoral student opening, with funding renewed yearly, contingent on the student’s continued focus on Japan and success in meeting basic language acquisition and research requirements.

More details and scheduled information sessions about the Fellowship can be found here .

CJEB founded the fellowship in 2013 and plans to continue offering it on an annual basis, with the goal of supporting and training the next generation of experts on Japan’s economy and business systems.

The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center PhD Fellowship

The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School is pleased to offer annual fellowship awards to PhD students whose research relates to entrepreneurship in their dissertations. Each academic year, the program awards up to four students with a fellowship of $5,000.  Visit the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center website for more information.

The W. Edwards Deming Center for Quality, Productivity, and Competitiveness Doctoral Fellowships

The Deming Center is calling for proposals for the Doctoral Fellowships initiative, which supports PhD students from the Business School and IE&OR on applied research projects in conjunction with a company. The fellowships provide an opportunity for students to engage in a meaningful applied research project and gain valuable industry exposure and experience. Read more about the fellowship.

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Application Requirements

Completed online application form.

Select Non-Degree & Other Certificate Programs to access the application . Access your application on your select program's landing page.

You must submit all materials directly, not through an agent or third-party vendor, with the sole exception of submissions by the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program and its three partner agencies IIE, LASPAU and AMIDEAST, and by the Danish-American Fulbright Commission (DAF), Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), and Vietnam Education Fund (VEF). If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact the admissions office at  apply [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (apply[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) .

Application Fee

$80.00 nonrefundable application fee (U.S. currency)

Fee payment must accompany the online application.

Transcripts from All Post-Secondary Institutions Attended

In the Academic History section of your online application, you must list  all institutions attended for at least one term, regardless of the number of credits received . This includes individual courses for academic credit, certifications, certificates, transfer coursework, study abroad, second bachelor’s degrees, and advanced degrees.

Instructions for Submitting Transcripts When Applying

Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript from each institution attended for use in review of their application. Your unofficial transcript must include your full name, the institution name, all courses and grades earned at that institution. Falsification, forgery, and misrepresentation of any type will risk forfeiture of admissions and/or enrollment. Forfeiture may occur whenever an integrity lapse is discovered, and may include admissions revocation, expulsion, or another sanction outlined within the  Student Conduct and Community Standards .

International coursework

Due to the impact of COVID-19 on institutions of higher education, adjustments to our WES requirements have been made. Applicants who attended an institution outside of the United States will not be required to submit official World Education Services (WES) course-by-course evaluations in order to be evaluated for admission.

Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript from each institution attended for use in review of your application, as well as any degree certificates. For Indian universities, this includes all semester mark sheets. If your university provides transcripts in a language other than English, both the original language document and English translation are required.

Instructions for using WES

If admitted, you will be required to provide official WES course-by-course evaluations (international coursework) for all post-secondary academic coursework and credentials. Applicants for the Spring 2021 semester must provide official WES course-by-course evaluations by no later than December 21, 2020. We recommend starting the WES course-by-course evaluation process as soon as possible so that you are able to meet this deadline. be required to submit official World Education Services (WES) course-by-course evaluations in order to be evaluated for admission.

Falsification, forgery, and misrepresentation of any type will risk forfeiture of admissions and/or enrollment. Forfeiture may occur whenever an integrity lapse is discovered, and may include admissions revocation, expulsion, or another sanction outlined within the Student Conduct and Community Standards. Applicants would not be entitled to request any refund of the application fee, enrollment deposit or tuition in the case that the official transcript deviates from the unofficial.

Instructions for Submitting Official Transcripts (Admitted Students Only)

If admitted, you will be required to provide official academic transcripts (domestic coursework) and/or WES course-by-course evaluations (international coursework) for all post-secondary academic coursework and credentials.

Domestic coursework

All students who have attended a college or university in the United States must submit certified and secure electronic transcripts directly from their school or via the vendor that provides that service for their institution to  transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) .

If a school does not offer electronic delivery, you must write to  transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu)  to provide us with the link to your institution’s webpage regarding transcript orders. After verification, we will respond with further instructions.

If any of your post-secondary coursework is from an institution outside of the United States, and you have completed additional international coursework since the initial WES evaluation was provided, you must request an updated report and have WES send your updated course-by-course evaluation electronically to Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies.

If admitted, you will be required to provide official WES course-by-course evaluations (international coursework) for all post-secondary academic coursework and credentials. Applicants for the Spring 2021 semester must provide official WES course-by-course evaluations by no later than December 21, 2020. We recommend starting the WES course-by-course evaluation process as soon as possible so that you are able to meet this deadline.

When you submit a completed WES course-by-course evaluation for an international institution, we will review and verify its contents. If the WES evaluation meets our requirements, we will not require a separate official transcript from that school.

If the WES requirement is permanently waived for your study abroad and an official transcript is required, it must be sent to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu)  directly from the international school and the translation agency (if the original transcript is in foreign language) and not from the applicant. If a paper transcript is the only option, you must request that the institution mail the official transcript, in a sealed envelope, directly to the following address:

Office of Admissions School of Professional Studies 203 Lewisohn Hall 2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119 New York, NY 10027-6902

Please note : The School of Professional Studies will not accept as official any transcript submitted directly by an applicant, either in person, via email or by mail.

Statement of Academic Purpose (in one or two paragraphs)

The statement of academic purpose should address your purpose and interest in pursuing the program, how the program fits into your overall academic and/or professional goals, focusing in particular on the connection between the program and your academic and/or professional experience.

Some applicants use their statements as an opportunity to amplify information contained on the application or academic transcripts. The statement provides an excellent forum for explaining any weaknesses that may appear on the transcript or to highlight any strengths that may not be evident elsewhere.

Optional: Letter of Recommenation

This information is not required. However, if you feel it important to provide a letter of recommendation to support your candidacy, you may submit a letter.

Applicants must list recommenders and their contact information within the online application. Please provide your recommender’s professional email address and note that your recommender will receive an email requesting the recommendation upon your completion of the recommendation section of the application. Your recommender will be asked to log into the online application system, answer a few questions, and upload a letter of recommendation typed on professional letterhead. Recommendations must be submitted within the online application system. We strongly suggest notifying your recommender of these requirements prior to entering their information into the application system. You have the ability within the application system to re-notify your recommender of the request, and change your recommender if necessary. Apart from the initial notification sent through the application system, applicants are responsible for notifying and reminding the recommender about the request.

Optional: Your Résumé

This information is not required. However, if you feel it important to provide your résumé to support your candidacy, you may submit a résumé.

Students Whose Native Language is Not English Must Include Proof of English Proficiency

English language proficiency.

Applicants must have a TOEFL iBT score between 85 and 99, a minimum SPS/ALP level of 7, or a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5. 

International Students Must Fulfill Visa Requirements

People admitted to study at Columbia University who are not United States citizens or permanent residents must be a full-time student at Columbia - registered for at least 12 points of credit-bearing courses during one term - in order to be eligible for a student (F-1) visa.

Eligible international students who wish to apply for an F-1 visa should do so immediately after they have received their letter of admission to the School of Professional Studies by contacting the International Students and Scholars Office at Columbia (below) at least three months before the first day of class. Students will then be sent information about obtaining an F-1 visa. Once in the United States in F-1 status, students must register for at least 12 points of credit-bearing courses, during the registration period, and remain so registered throughout the course of the session. If a student neglects to do this, or if a student falls below the 12-point minimum during the course of a session, the student will be reported in violation of F-1 regulations to the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Visitors to the United States in B-1, B-2, WB or WT status are not allowed to enroll in classes at Columbia’s School of Professional Studies.

International students who require a student (F-1) visa to study at Columbia are required to pay an International Services fee.

You can find the online application for visa certificate by clicking here:  http://isso.columbia.edu/ . While you are not permitted to submit the application until you have gained admission, we strongly encourage you to read the instructional information provided.

For questions about individual cases please contact: International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) 212-854-3587 isso [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (isso[at]columbia[dot]edu) http://www.columbia.edu/cu/isso

• Undergraduate
• Student information
• Econ info for students
• Economics Department Information

Suggestions for Students Interested in a PhD in Economics

Economics classes.

• Advanced Coursework such as 4211, 4213 or 4412 or even 6000 level courses
• Other courses listed in Sample Programs for students interested in a PhD
• Look for elective classes offered by research active faculty
• Choose classes that you are interested in!
• Get to know your professors – it is not enough to just do well in a class
• Go to Office Hours

Non- economics classes

• Calculus I, 2, 3 and linear algebra are required
• Upper level statistics (esp a year-long prob/stats sequence) is strongly recommended
• Mathematical analysis course is strongly recommended
• Programming skills are strongly recommended (but need not be from coursework)

Research Experience

• Research experience is strongly recommended/required
• Academic year positions – advertised via the listserv and the WIKI
• Summer internships – primarily for rising seniors but some are open to rising juniors
• Full-Time positions after graduation – 1-2 year positions
• Check the WIKI page regularly for updated positions
• If you have followed the advice above about getting to know your faculty then you can speak with him or her about a possible position.

Honors Thesis

• Writing an Honors Thesis is the most rewarding/demanding experience of the major
• Not a requirement for PhD admissions but highly recommended
• Start thinking and talking to faculty about your ideas early – hopefully you are taking economics classes that interest you and are going to faculty office hours
• See the Honors and Prizes page on the website for details about the process, tips for finding a topic and adviser as well as examples of past theses

Masters’ Programs

• Increasing number of people entering PhD programs with a M.A. degree
• Look for schools that have good placement records (such as Duke, LSE, Columbia)
• Look for a program with regular faculty teaching the M.A. classes
• Need to do very well if you want the M.A. degree to help you get into a PhD program

 AEA Website

The American Economic Association’s Preparing for graduate school  has links to resources online including information on:

• Graduate Degrees in Economics
• AEA Summer Training Program
• Math Preparation for Graduate School
• Program Rankings
• Considerations for Prospective Graduate Students

Advice ranging from how to determine whether or not a PhD is a good option for you to how to prepare for a PhD to how to be successful in a PhD program can be found on the Considerations for Prospective Graduate Students .   Here are three highlights from that page:

• BYU Guide (strongly recommended reading)
• Susan Athey’s advice

CSWEP newsletter Getting Into and Finishing a PhD Program

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