Graduate Admissions

Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. Program in Economics is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

For information about Admissions and Degree Requirements, please visit the Web site of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). This site provides information regarding degree requirements, financial aid, and how to apply. There is also a helpful Important Dates section. For international students who have questions regarding application requirements, please click here.

Joint Programs

The Ph.D. in Business Economics is administered by a standing committee composed of members of the Department of Economics and the Graduate School of Business Administration. The Business Economics program description is available at the GSAS website, and additional information can be found at the Harvard Business School website: http://www.hbs.edu/doctoral/programs/busec/index.html.

The Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government is administered by a standing committee composed of members of the Department of Economics and the JFK School of Government. The PEG program description is available at the GSAS website, and additional information can be found at the Kennedy School of Government website: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/degrees/phd.

For Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.

Non-Degree Programs

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers two non-degree programs, offers two options for study within a non-degree program, the Special Student status and the Visiting Fellow status.*

Special Student status is available to individuals who have sound reasons for not wishing to enter a degree program, who hold the bachelor's degree or its equivalent, and are able to present evidence of fitness for admission at the graduate level. Get more information click here.

Persons holding the doctoral degree (or its equivalent), or those with comparable professional experience, may apply for Visiting Fellow status. This status is also open to advanced doctoral candidates who have completed all required coursework and would like to pursue dissertation research at Harvard. For more information click here

* The Department of Economics has a very selective process in admitting students to this status. Those who are admitted as special students are restricted from enrolling in the macroeconomic and microeconomic theory courses (Economics 2010a, 2010b, 2010c, and 2010d). Students applying to this program must have sponsorship from a Harvard faculty member.