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Ph.D. International Economics Competence

Degrees | Ph.D. International Economics Competence

All Ph.D. students must demonstrate competence in the field of International Economics. SAIS M.A. degree recipients will be accepted as having met the economics requirement.

Non-SAIS M.A. students must complete one of the following within the first three semesters:

  • Pass the written comprehensive exam in International Economics as one of their three comprehensive exams.
  • Pass a one-hour oral exam equivalent to the M.A. Oral Exam in economics and the student's main field of study.

To prepare for the M.A. Oral Equivalency Exam, the student must take for credit and pass the following classes or pass the waiver exams:

  • Microeconomics,
  • Macroeconomics,
  • International Trade Theory and
  • International Monetary Theory.

The Microeconomics and Macroeconomics coursework at SAIS begins at the intermediate level.  Ph.D. students must have successfully completed principles of economics coursework in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics prior to the start of the program. Successful completion is defined as a minimum grade of "B-" or the numerical equivalent. The principles courses may be taken from any accredited institution.

Students that have demonstrated equivalence in coursework at another institution may request to sit for a waiver exam. Click here for more information on requesting a waiver exam in one or more of the above fields.

The faculty of the International Economics field administers the equivalency exam each year during the regular M.A. oral examination periods in December and May. Students selecting the equivalency exam are allowed to take the exam no more than twice.