Graduate Handbook
Overview of Graduate Program
We offer programs of graduate study leading to the degrees of Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). This document describes each program and its requirements.
If this is your first visit to our web page, you will find key information about our program in this on-line Graduate Handbook, including the program philosophy, application procedures, financial aid, and course offerings. For students currently enrolled in the graduate program, this handbook should provide you with all the relevant information about expectations, procedures, and requirements to be met as you make your way toward your degree objective.
The M.S. Degree
The M.S. degree is both an end in itself and a preparation for the Ph.D. degree. The Master’s program includes courses emphasizing applications of economic theory and quantitative methods, along with elective field courses. It is usually completed in a year of study, and prepares students for jobs in industry and government. Although an option, a thesis is not required. About 10-12 M.S. students enter each year, of which perhaps two continue on to a Ph.D. program at UC Davis or elsewhere.
The Ph.D. Degree
The Ph.D. program provides intensive training in modern economic theory, econometrics, and mathematical programming, with elective fields such as natural resource and environmental economics, development economics, agricultural economics, and econometrics. Complementary fields in other areas of economics and management are also available. It is typically a four or five year course of study that prepares graduates for jobs in academia, government, near-government organizations, and the private sector. About 12-14 new Ph.D. students enter each year.