PhD Social Science at California Institute of Technology

Programme overview

Doctoral program preparing students for research careers in economics and political science, grounded in theory, quantitative techniques and experimental methods.

Faculty: Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: Social Science | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Pasadena, CA, United States

What you will study

First-year three-quarter sequences in Political Theory (SS 202abc), Foundations of Economics (Ec/SS 205abc) and Econometrics (SS 222abc), a written preliminary examination before the second year, second- and third-year papers and a thesis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in science or engineering related to the option; transcripts from each institution attended, three letters of recommendation, CV and essays; GRE policy is set by each graduate program; English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, PTE Academic, IELTS) expected for applicants whose native language is not English; application fee $100 (waivers available). Admission is once a year with fall-term enrollment; deadlines vary by program from December 1 to January 15. PhD matriculation requires evidence of US work authorization unless alternative support is arranged with the option. Programme-specific: See the program's own admissions page at the Humanities and Social Sciences division.

USD 68,574 a year (2026-27). Annual graduate tuition rate for all Caltech graduate students (Fall, Winter and Spring terms at $22,858 each); no programme-specific rate; excludes mandatory fees ($2,448). The same page states that PhD financial packages cover tuition and mandatory fees Source

Graduate admission takes place once each year, with enrollment starting in the following fall term.

Graduate applications are accepted between December 1 and January 15 for enrollment the following fall term, with deadlines varying by programme. The application fee is $100, with fee waivers for a limited number of applicants. Applications are submitted online.

Apply through the official page: https://www.gradoffice.caltech.edu/admissions/applyonline

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities