Economic Sciences Department

Welcome to the Economic Sciences Department

The Department of Economic Sciences provides research and teaching in two broad areas: Applied Microeconomics (which features Crime & Law Economics; Behavioral, Experimental, and Neuro Economics) and International Economics and Development Policy.

Our research is intended to be innovative and on the leading edges of our areas of specialization. Our faculty includes scholars who are widely acknowledged as world experts and leaders in their fields. They have a large number of published research papers that have appeared in top core and field journals and are heavily cited.

Our research has made notable contributions to the design and evaluation of economic policies at the local, national, and international levels. The applied microeconomics concentration emphasizes behavioral economics, data analysis, and policy. The international economics and development policy field focuses on contemporary issues, such as currency crises.

Together with the Politics and Policy department, we also offer an interfield PhD in Political Science & Economics.

Our MA and PhD programs emphasize rigorous training in theory, research methods, and application. In addition, we have adopted an apprentice/experienced practitioner educational model to prepare our students for their subsequent careers. We firmly believe that our students are best served by receiving close and personalized mentorship from our internationally recognized faculty. Indeed, many of the skills needed to succeed in a competitive and fast changing world will be learned at CGU by way of observation, experimentation, and learning by doing.

Our educational model offers our students research experience by involving them in 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, including the ultimate publication of the findings. Students have been trained for careers in academia, government, and the private sector.

Masters Programs

Doctoral Programs

Faculty

Core Faculty

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

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C. Mónica Capra

Professor of Economic Sciences

Research Interests

Experimental Economics, Behavioral Economics, Neuroeconomics

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Gregory DeAngelo

Associate Professor of Economic Sciences
Director, Computational Justice Lab

Research Interests

Criminal Justice, Law, Applied Econometrics

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Robert Klitgaard

University Professor

Research Interests

Public Policy, Economic Strategy, Institutional Reform, Corruption

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Tom Kniesner

Senior Research Fellow

Research Interests

Labor Economics, Health Economics, Econometrics

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Joshua Tasoff

Associate Professor of Economic Sciences

Research Interests

Behavioral Economics, Experimental Economics, Animal Welfare Economics

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Thomas Willett

Professor Emeritus
Director, Claremont Institute for Economic Studies

Research Interests

International Money and Finance, International Political Economy and Economic Policy

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Students & Alumni

Each year we enroll about 10 masters and 20 doctoral students. About 45% of our students come from outside the US, including the following countries of origin:

Economics Fellowships

Our Masters and PhD students are eligible for annual awards that recognize academic excellence and promise. Here are some of the Fellowships and Awards we offer to our students.

• Friends of American Institute of Economic Research
  The award supports students seeking a higher degree in Economic Sciences.
• The Lewis W. Snider Single Parent Fellowship
  Supports full-time students who are single parents.
• DPE Board of Advisors Outstanding Scholar Fund
  The scholarship helps retain high-quality students and recognizes academic excellence.
• Research Assistant Award
  Recognizes those students that excelled as research assistants.
• Teaching Assistant Award
  Recognizes those students who excelled as teaching assistants.

Alumni Placements

Our alumni take different career paths. Some become academics, others build a career in the private sector and government. One of our graduates served as US Secretary of the Treasury. Recent alumni placements include: