Graduate Studies:
Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Clemson University
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Economic Theory and Econometrics
Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in economic theory and econometrics prior to advancing to candidacy for the Ph.D. Normal progress requires that proficiency be demonstrated by the end of the second year in the program.
Full-time students are expected to take the economic theory (microeconomics and macroeconomics) comprehensive no later than two semesters after enrolling in the Ph.D. program. Students who fail the first examination may take the examination a second time at the end of their third semester. The comprehensive examinations will be given on the first Friday of the Fall semester and the first Friday of the Spring semester.
Proficiency in econometrics is established in two steps. The first step consists of a two-course sequence, Econometrics I (APEC 806) and Econometrics II (ECON 807). The final examination in ECON 807 will be composed and graded by a committee under the direction of the course's instructor. A student must receive a grade of "B" or better on this exam to satisfy the requirement for the first step. A second examination will be offered during the first week of classes in August to students who fail this exam. If a student fails to pass this examination, he or she is strongly advised to retake the course sequence in the following year.
The second and final step will be to earn a grade of "B" or above in either Econometrics III (ECON 808) or Advanced Time Series Econometrics (ECON 909).
Final Oral Examination
A final oral examination of the Ph.D. candidate must be passed approximately 4 weeks prior to graduation on a date to be established by the student's major professor in consultation with the student and the student's advisory committee. . The final oral exam can not be scheduled until the student has completed an acceptable draft of the dissertation. A copy of the dissertation must be provided to each member of the student's advisory committee at least three weeks prior to the final oral examination.
The student's advisory committee will conduct the final oral exam, but all faculty members in the University are invited to attend and participate. The exam may cover any material in the candidate's program and students must demonstrate a general understanding of applied economics. Final oral exams are open only to faculty.
For more information, contact ereneke@clemson.edu
© 2008 by the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0313