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Prerequisites

Applicants to the Ph.D. in Economics should have strong quantitative and analytical skills. All graduate applicants must have a four-year undergraduate degree in order to be eligible for admission to UIC. Your undergraduate degree does not have to be in economics, but a good background in economics and mathematics is necessary. A master's degree is not necessary for admission to the Ph.D. program.

Please note that three-year undergraduate degrees common in certain countries (e.g. India and Pakistan) will not be sufficient for admission to any of UIC's graduate programs. Normally applicants from these countries need to have completed a master's degree in addition to their bachelor's degree.

Prerequisite Requirements for Ph.D. in Economics Heading link

  • Three semesters of calculus
  • One semester of linear algebra
  • One semester of statistics or econometrics
  • Coursework through the intermediate level in both microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Undergraduate courses in mathematical economics and econometrics are also recommended. Strong writing and communication skills are necessary for success in the Ph.D. program.