PhD in Economics in Virginia Beach United States | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Graduate students in agricultural and applied economics can explore diverse economic specializations. Doctoral candidates have opportunities to specialize in applied econometrics, environmental and resource economics, international trade and development, food and health economics, or rural and regional development.
Virginia Tech's Economics program, founded on September 1, 1961, has conferred over 200 economics doctorates. Since 2000, the program has evolved into a collaborative initiative between the Economics Department and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department, expanding course offerings while maintaining its Economics doctorate. This doctoral program equips students for academic, research, and professional careers requiring advanced economic theory and methodology. Alumni hold prominent positions in academia, financial institutions, and government agencies worldwide. The Ph.D. curriculum requires 90 credit hours, including 24 core credits, 21 field course credits, and 30-45 research/dissertation credits (with Graduate Director approval). Designed as a 4-5 year program, the first two years emphasize coursework, followed by dissertation research. After completing foundational courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, students pursue advanced studies in specialized areas such as applied microeconomics, economic theory, experimental economics, econometrics, and macroeconomics.