PhD in Economics

Economics is the science that studies how individuals, governments, firms, and nations make choices on allocating scarce resources to create value in society.

The Department of Economics at Southern Methodist University (SMU) is highly ranked among economics departments in the United States and offers comprehensive coverage of the major fields in modern economics.

The department has been at the forefront of graduate education at SMU. The Ph.D. in Economics program is over 55 years old and was the first Ph.D. program at the university. It has a strong national reputation and an excellent placement record in both academic and non-academic positions.

We also offer multiple Master’s degrees that emphasize strength training in quantitative techniques of economic and econometric analysis and are geared toward business and government professionals.

Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program in Economics at SMU is the oldest Ph.D. program at the University and has a long track record of providing students with rigorous training in a broad range of fundamental methodologies for conducting economic research. The program is relatively small which allows for an open and friendly environment, and a low student-faculty ratio. Few programs can match the careful supervision, faculty contact time, and individualized mentoring that our Ph.D. students receive.

The department’s research strength encompasses a wide number of fields including macroeconomics and economic growth, international and urban economics, applied microeconomics and econometrics, microeconomic theory, and experimental and behavioral economics. A hallmark of our program is an insistence on high-quality theoretical training as a foundation for work in each of these fields.

SMU's Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies is proud to offer doctoral and master’s degrees in a wide variety of fields across four different colleges and schools: the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Lyle School of Engineering, the Meadows School of the Arts, and the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. These programs help students to pursue their passions and make significant contributions to both academia and industry.

• 32 Doctoral degrees
• 120+ Masters degrees
• 47 Fully-funded Ph.D. fellows

Thinking about studying at SMU? Welcome!

Southern Methodist University is a private, research-driven institution focused on providing innovative, interdisciplinary, and impactful studies. Located in the international city of Dallas, TX, our graduate students get to live and learn in one of the 10 best business locations in the U.S. according to Fortune magazine.

The Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, in partnership with five of SMU's Colleges and Schools, offers 32 doctoral degrees and over 120 master's degrees in addition to several professional degrees. These programs help our students pursue their passions and make significant contributions in their academic fields and beyond.

Diversity at SMU

Southern Methodist University is committed to nurturing an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging environment for all of our graduate students.

We believe that a supportive community embracing individual viewpoints and backgrounds leads to a more rigorous academic environment and a more fulfilling experience for all.