Read economics career profiles at the Gradschools website. Get an overview of the demand for holders of the economics PhD. The site also has some salary details for this career field. Create your own profile to store your selections for later retrieval. Use additional site links to find fellowship opportunities. Compare off-campus and on-campus degree programs.
Review the "US News and World Report" ranking of the nation's top graduate schools to narrow the list of choices by location, program length, student body characteristics and the economics faculty research interests.
Select a maximum of five schools. Request application forms and information about financial support. Almost all PhD degree candidates are supported by fellowships and teaching assistantships during their first year.
Register at the Educational Testing Service to take the Graduate Record Exam. Unless otherwise stated, most universities require scores from this exam as part of the application for admission to this PhD program. ETS provides free GRE exam preparation materials and study guide downloads on their main website. Purchase a personal copy at major bookstores or check your local library.
Finish the admissions process for the next year's fall semester by early December of the current year. Order all your transcripts as soon as you have selected the schools. The application deadline for PhD programs are generally in December and January. Your transcript might be delayed if your previous institution closes for winter holidays.
Complete the required degree courses. Conduct research, prepare and defend your dissertation. Many universities suggest that you can complete the courses and other requirements in 5 years. However, the national average is between 7 and 8 years.