PhD Economics at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

The doctoral program in economics provides thorough training in economic theory supplemented by knowledge of quantitative tools and an understanding of modern economic institutions and policy problems. When you finish this program, you'll be able to approach economics-related issues theoretically, analyze data, undertake original research on economic issues and clearly and effectively communicate research results in written and oral form. You'll graduate ready for a career in academia, research, government or business.

Faculty: Darla Moore School of Business | Department: Economics | Duration: 51 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

You must complete 48 hours of coursework with at least a "B" average and 12 hours of dissertation credit to obtain a Ph.D. Owing to the lockstep nature of the program, admission is limited to every other fall semester, and all students are required to take at least nine hours of coursework during the fall and spring semesters.

Career pathways

Potential careers include Economist, Researcher, Teacher/Professor.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admissions (University of South Carolina Academic Bulletin): All applicants must complete a Moore School of Business application and submit the following supporting documentation: official transcripts of their complete academic record, two letters of reference, and scores.. Prerequisite courses that must be taken prior to enrollment are intermediate micro- and macroeconomics, statistics ( ECON 692 or equivalent), and calculus ( MATH 141 - MATH 142 or equivalent). International applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the director of the Ph.D. program in the Moore School of Business for further details. Owing to the lock-step nature of the program, admission is for the fall semester only, and all students are required to take at least nine semester hours of course work during the fall...

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer terms; Fall applications open the prior September, Spring applications open in January and Summer applications open in May.

The graduate application fee is $50 per primary application, reinstated effective August 1, 2026. Deadlines are programme-specific and listed per programme on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements pages.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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