About PhD Program,
The PhD Program at UC Santa Barbara is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced study and conducting original research in economics. The PhD is awarded in recognition of the recipient’s qualifications as a general economist and of the ability to make scholarly contributions in one or more fields of specialization.
Completing the PhD program will take on average five to six years, although some students will be able to complete the program in less time.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Admission decisions are made by the Department’s Graduate Faculty Admissions Committee, whose goal is identifying students of outstanding promise. The committee will make decisions based on academic achievement, intellectual potential and scholarly promise, programmatic fit, and available space
There is no single criterion for admission, but the most successful candidates will have the following qualities:
- A history of academic success as indicated by coursework in economics and mathematics
- Excellent grades
- Strong scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), particularly in the quantitative section
- Three high-quality letters of recommendation, which speak to the candidate’s ability to excel in academic work and conduct independent research. As a practical matter, this usually means Economics faculty or other economists active in research.
PhD Funding Coverage,
The following page offers an overview on the types of merit-based financial support offered to students in the PhD Program. More specific information will be included in offers of admission.
The Department expects to offer a full financial aid package to all accepted PhD students, which will cover full tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Financial aid packages, which are a combination of Teaching Assistantships and fellowship money, are guaranteed for five years for students making satisfactory progress.
The Free-Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required of all U.S. Citizens and permanent residents. More detailed information may be obtained on the FAFSA website.
To be considered for merit-based financial support, applicants are expected to submit their online application by the Priority Financial Support deadline, which is updated every application season on the Graduate Division website. Merit-based support is awarded on the basis of academic performance, and can take on the following forms:
Application Requirement,
In the online application, students are required to supply the following:
- Statement of Purpose Essay
- Personal History and Diversity Statement (PH&DS) Essay
- Resume or CV
- Letters of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts
- Exam Scores
- Non-refundable Application Fee
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
Domestic application fee: $120.00
International application fee: $140.00
