Get Your PhD in Business Economics

We prepare you for an academic career in economics with rigorous training and grounding in all central areas of the field.

Your success in our PhD in Business Economics program is fostered by our faculty’s active interest in supporting student learning, along with advising and supervising overall research efforts to help you realize your full potential. As you learn from our renowned economics faculty, you have opportunities for cross-disciplinary work, combining economics with strategy, finance or marketing.

You also have the opportunity to engage with the Center for Research in Economics and Strategy, which advances the understanding of firms and markets by examining substantive questions and employing state-of-the-art analytical and/or empirical models.

Olin PhD students studying Business Economics frequently collaborate with the Department of Economics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University.

Business Economics Faculty and Research

Economics faculty members have a special interest in empirical and theoretical industrial organization. Their research pursuits cover a wide range of subjects, including industry studies, incentives in organizations, organizational design, health economics and the determinants of industry structure.

Their research has been published in prestigious journals, including:

American Economic Review
Econometrica
Journal of Political Economy
The Review of Economic Studies
Journal of Economic Theory
RAND Journal of Economics

Read about collaborative research by Business Economics faculty and PhD students.

PhD Business Economics

WashU Olin’s PhD program in business economics prepares you for an academic career in economics.

Center for Research in Economics and Strategy

The Center for Research in Economics and Strategy (CRES) engages PhD students in research that advances the understanding of firms and markets

Learn more about CRES

Prework

Prior to the first year—mandatory attendance at math camp (offered through the Economics department)
First Year
Recommended Course Sequence

First Semester
- MEC 610 Microeconomics I (3 credits)
- L11 501 Macroeconomics I (3 credits)
- L11 5161 Applied Econometrics (3 credits)
- Olin PhD Business Economics courses
Second Semester
- MEC 611 Microeconomics II (3 credits)
- L11 Quantitative Methods II (3 credits)
- L11 502 Macroeconomics II (3 credits)
- L11 5175 Structural Econometrics (3 credits)
- Olin PhD Business Economics courses
The order of classes may change due to availability, and classes may be substituted with approval. A communications course (that focuses on oral communication) is also recommended during the first two years. When the student takes the course is determined by the student and his/her advisor.
Research
- Attend Economics and CRES seminars.
- Begin research collaborations by meeting with faculty advisor monthly.
- First-year summer paper—papers are due in August after the first year and are presented at a faculty seminar.
Milestones

First-year summer paper—papers are due in August after the first year and are presented at a faculty seminar.

In the summer after the first year, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1 after the first year.

The Micro Prelim Exam is offered in June. Students must receive a “Distinction/Honors” or “PhD pass” to continue in the PhD program. One retake of the exam is permitted.

In August after the first year, students must attend an RA/TA orientation offered by The Center for Teaching and Learning.
Second Year
Courses
- Olin PhD Business Economics courses
- Other Economics courses
- Electives (directed readings, independent studies)
- L11 5141 Advanced Microeconometrics (fall semester)
Research
- Attend Economics and CRES seminars.
- Second-year paper—papers are due in August after the second year. Presentations are given during a faculty seminar.
Milestones
- Second-year paper
- Field exam
In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD office by August 1.
Third Year
Courses
- Improvisation Course
- B53 660 Seminar in Presentation Skills (fall semester, required)
Research
- Attend Economics and CRES seminars.
- Paper presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
- Dissertation research
Milestones
- In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1.
- Students are required to present at a department brown bag seminar.
Fourth Year
Research
- Attend Economics and CRES seminars.
- Paper presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
- Dissertation research
Milestones
- Dissertation Proposal – students must be able to assemble a Research Advisory Committee for the proposal of their dissertation and must submit a Title, Scope and Procedure form as the committee’s approval of the proposed dissertation by September 30 after the fourth year.
- In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD office by August 1.
Fifth Year
Research
- Attend Economics and CRES seminars.
- Paper presentations (job market paper presentations with faculty and at conferences)
- Dissertation research
Milestones
- Intent to Graduate (complete form online)
- Job market and placement
- Oral defense of dissertation
- Submission of Examination Approval form, which signifies committee’s approval
- Upload of final, approved Dissertation to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- Submission of Documented Teaching Requirements to PhD office
Course Descriptions

Download Business Economics PhD course descriptions