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Economics

PhD in Economics

Our PhD program promotes practice-based scholarship that embraces the scientific method to better understand how people and societies make decisions.

Students are exposed to cutting-edge research in international economics and behavioral and applied microeconomics. Students are encouraged to collaborate with top scholars impacting the field today. Because we are an all-graduate student program, we mentor our students closely and prepare them for success in a competitive and fast-changing world. We have a long history of both influential research and of training students for careers in academia, government, and the private sector.

Program Highlights
  • We closely mentor our students throughout their graduate school experience. CGU is an all-graduate institution & its core faculty are dedicated to enhancing our students’ success.
  • We offer an active intellectual environment through informal brainstorming groups, and formal workshops and seminars.
  • Students can get teaching and research assistantships at CGU and can also gain valuable teaching experience through lectureships in Los Angeles area colleges and universities.
  • Our apprentice/experienced practitioner educational model offers our students research experience by involving them in research projects that require problem solving and the application of analytical skills as well as the ability to effectively collaborate as a member of a research team.
  • As members of The Claremont Colleges, Economics PhD students have access to one-of-a-kind support from adjunct faculty and the Consortium’s infrastructure that prepare them for career success.
  • This program is STEM designated, allowing international students who hold F-1 visas to apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.

Program At-a-glance

  • 72 units

    required units

  • PhD in Economics

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 5-6 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Monica Capra

    C. Mónica Capra

    Professor of Economic Sciences

    Research Interests

    Experimental Economics, Behavioral Economics, Neuroeconomics

    View profile
  • Joshua Tasoff

    Joshua Tasoff

    Associate Professor of Economic Sciences

    Research Interests

    Behavioral Economics, Experimental Economics, Animal Welfare Economics

    View profile
  • Gregory DeAngelo

    Gregory DeAngelo

    Associate Professor of Economic Sciences
    Director, Computational Justice Lab

    Research Interests

    Criminal Justice, Law, Applied Econometrics

    View profile
  • Robert Klitgaard Portrait

    Robert Klitgaard

    University Professor

    Research Interests

    Public Policy, Economic Strategy, Institutional Reform, Corruption

    View profile
  • Portrait of Graham Bird

    Graham Bird

    Clinical Professor of Economic Sciences
    Program Director: International Money and Finance; International Economics and Development Policy
    Co-Director: Claremont Institute for Economic Policy Studies

    Research Interests

    International Finance, International Macroeconomics, Economic Development

    View profile

Research Opportunities

As a student in the Department of Economic Sciences, you will have the opportunity to contribute to faculty-led research opportunities that offer practice-oriented learning.

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)
Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.
English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.
Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.
Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
Letter of Recommendation

2 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form
Standardized Test Scores

GRE (optional)

For applicants applying to begin in a 2024 term, standardized test scores are not required for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores but are not required to do so.

Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration.

CGU’s school code:
ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

Apply Now

Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 64 units
Tuition per unit* $2,020

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

 

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.

review financial aid

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