The Howard University Department of Economics trains leaders for America and the Global Community. Graduates of the Department include Dr. Samuel Z. Westerfield, Jr. for whom the National Economics Association named its most prestigious award for economists who make outstanding contributions to economics and as teachers, researchers and public servants. Westerfield held many posts in academia, including a visiting position at the Harvard Business School and as Dean of the School of Business at Atlanta University (with his noted colleague Whitney M. Young, the Dean of the School of Social Work), and as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia (1969-1972), and as Deputy Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for African Affairs.

Alums also include Dr. Sadie Gregory, Acting President, Coppin State University; Dr. Akpan Ekpo, Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University of Technology in Nigeria, Chair of the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council and Member of the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and, Dr. Gwendolyn Flowers, who served as Chief Economist for the U.S. Department of Commerce and as the chief economist for the D.C. Financial Control Board; Dr. Marva Corley is an Economics Affairs Officer with the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs; Cheryl Hill Lee is a Statistician Economist at the U.S. Census Bureau where she coordinates the report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage. Last year’s undergraduate majors went on to pursue doctorates in economics, work for investment banking firms, work for big six accounting firms, work for the Peace Corps, work for major retailers and manufacturing firms and take government positions; reflecting the range of careers that economists pursue.

The Department achieves its goal by being a dynamic and vibrant place where students are exposed to a wide variety of experiences. The Department’s Howard Economic Policy Forum which has aired nationally on C-SPAN has played host to NAACP President Bruce Gordon, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, AARP President Marie Smith, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Dashcle, U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Member Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, and Federal Reserve Board of Governors Vice-Chair Ronald Ferguson. Last year’s inductees into Omicron Delta Epsilon, the economics honor society, heard from economics Nobel Laureate Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, and the year before they heard from Dr. Andrew Brimmer, the first African American to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

The Department of Economics at Howard University provides students with a sound foundation in economic theory and its applications. Coupled with this is a concerted effort to produce students who are competent in the use of the quantitative tools in analysis. This is supplemented by a state of the art computer laboratory. The economics program provides a unique opportunity to gain experience and employment in research and policy making institutions in Washington.

The Economics Department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Both programs offer specializations in Growth and Development, International, Urban, and Labor. Each of these fields of study allows the student to select a cluster of complementary courses drawn from such offerings as econometrics, economic theory, and international economics.

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Master of Arts

All students admitted to the graduate program must have at least a Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent, a cumulative GPA of B or better, a minimum of 24 undergraduate credits in economics, plus a course in differential calculus or mathematics for economists. The economics credits should include 6 credits of statistics and 6 credits of intermediate economic theory.

Doctor of Philosophy

Applicants for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Economics. Applicants with a Master's degree in a related field will be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program upon submission of proof that work completed is equivalent to the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in economics at Howard University.

Students admitted into the Ph.D. program with an M.A. degree must have a GPA of well over B and a minimum of 24 graduate course credits, including at least 6 credits in economic theory, 3 credits in econometrics, and 3 credits in graduate statistics.

Students may be admitted with a deficiency in mathematics or statistics on the condition that the deficiency be corrected in the first semester. These makeup credits will not count toward completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

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Master of Arts

The M.A. program has a course structure similar to that of the Ph.D. program, although it requires fewer credits. Students must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 15 must be devoted to general course requirements: 206-200, 206-202, 206-204, 206-210, and 206-211; 6 to thesis work; and 15 to the area of concentration.

Students who do not wish to write a thesis must take 6 additional credits of course work, 3 of which must be the seminar in the area of specialization. Each thesis will be directed by an adviser, read by at least one other faculty member, and followed by an oral defense.

Following are the individual areas of specialization and their course requirements: Developmental Economics-206-220, 206-266, two other courses in the area, and one elective course in Economics; Urban Economics -206-230, two other courses in the area, and two electives in Economics; Monetary/Fiscal Economics-206-271, 206-272, and three courses from 206-240, 206-241, 206-242, 206-245, 206-249, and 206-273; Human Resources Economics-206-261, 206-262, and three courses from 206-233, 206-234, 206-247, 206-248, and 206-251, 206-263.

Students must pass the comprehensive examinations, offered in February and September, which cover the following three areas: price theory, macroeconomic theory, and an area of specialization. The student may elect to take examination in all subjects or take the theory examinations first and the field of specialization at another time. If the student chooses the latter, he or she must pass the theory examinations before taking the field of specialization at the next sitting.

If the student elects to take examinations in all three subjects the first time, he/she must pass at least two. Otherwise, he/she will be required to take all three examinations again on the second sitting.

     
There is no language requirement.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students must earn a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, of which 12 must be devoted to dissertation work, 33 to electives and to the area of concentration, and 27 to the following general course requirements: 206-200, 206-201, 206-202, 206-203, 206-204, 206-210, 206-211, 206-212, and 206-213. Students may earn up to 6 credits in an internship program.

Following are the individual areas of specialization and their course requirements: Development Economics-206-220, 206-221, 206-228, 206-244, 206-245, plus any of the four courses out of 206-216, 206-222, 206-223, 206-224, 206-225, 206-226, 206-227, 206-240, 206-241, 206-242, 206-250, 206-260, and two courses outside of the field based on the student's interest; Urban Economic Development-206-230, 206-231, 206-237, plus any of the six courses out of 206-216, 206-232, 206-233, 206-234, 206-235, 206-242, 206-250, 206-251, and two courses outside of the field; Monetary Fiscal Economics-206-240, 206-271, 206-272, 206-273, 206-216 plus any of the four courses out of 206-274, 206-216, 206-222, 206-240, 206-242, 206-245, 206-269, 206-250, and two courses in related fields; Human Resources Economics-206-261, 206-262, 206-223, 206-263, 206-216, plus any four courses out of 206-214, 206-233, 206-234, 206-247, 206-248, 206-250, 206-251 and two courses outside of the field.

Students must pass the comprehensive examinations offered in February and September, in the following four areas: price theory, macroeconomic theory, quantitative economics, and an area of specialization.

Students are required to take the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations in both microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory as soon as they have successfully completed the required macro- and microeconomic theory courses. If the student passes both of these examinations, that student will become eligible to take the comprehensive examinations in quantitative methods and the approved area of concentration.

Ph.D. students must also demonstrate in a formal examination a reading proficiency in French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese. Under exceptional circumstances, the department may permit students to substitute for a language an advanced course that provides skills relevant to dissertation research, such as computer programming or mathematics. The language requirement must be fulfilled before the student is admitted to candidacy.

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The PPI measurement is designed to evaluate a prospective student’s potential for graduate study based on six (6) non-cognitive characteristics. The PPI allows applicants the opportunity to provide an enhanced range of attributes often valued as indications of success in graduate school. The applicant may select three (3) faculty recommenders to submit PPI evaluations for review by the prospective program.

If you are currently registered with the ETS for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), you may designate the three (3) PPI evaluations at no additional cost. To submit the PPI reports to the Graduate School at Howard University, visit the ETS website at

https://ppi.ets.org/ppi/applicant

The programs that are reviewing ETS/PPI evaluations as part of the fall 2013 admissions review are listed below:

African Studies
Communication and Media Studies
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Chemistry
Economics
English
Genetics and Human Genetics
History
Sociology
Mechanical Engineering
Pharmaceutical Science
Physiology

For more information, please call 202.806.4676.
https://ppi.ets.org/ppi/applicant

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Master of Arts

The M.A. program has a course structure similar to that of the Ph.D. program, although it requires fewer credits. Students must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 15 must be devoted to general course requirements: 206-200, 206-202, 206-204, 206-210, and 206-211; 6 to thesis work; and 15 to the area of concentration.

Students who do not wish to write a thesis must take 6 additional credits of course work, 3 of which must be the seminar in the area of specialization. Each thesis will be directed by an adviser, read by at least one other faculty member, and followed by an oral defense.

Following are the individual areas of specialization and their course requirements: Developmental Economics-206-220, 206-266, two other courses in the area, and one elective course in Economics; Urban Economics -206-230, two other courses in the area, and two electives in Economics; Monetary/Fiscal Economics-206-271, 206-272, and three courses from 206-240, 206-241, 206-242, 206-245, 206-249, and 206-273; Human Resources Economics-206-261, 206-262, and three courses from 206-233, 206-234, 206-247, 206-248, and 206-251, 206-263.

Students must pass the comprehensive examinations, offered in February and September, which cover the following three areas: price theory, macroeconomic theory, and an area of specialization. The student may elect to take examination in all subjects or take the theory examinations first and the field of specialization at another time. If the student chooses the latter, he or she must pass the theory examinations before taking the field of specialization at the next sitting.

If the student elects to take examinations in all three subjects the first time, he/she must pass at least two. Otherwise, he/she will be required to take all three examinations again on the second sitting.

      There is no language requirement.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students must earn a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, of which 12 must be devoted to dissertation work, 33 to electives and to the area of concentration, and 27 to the following general course requirements: 206-200, 206-201, 206-202, 206-203, 206-204, 206-210, 206-211, 206-212, and 206-213. Students may earn up to 6 credits in an internship program.

Following are the individual areas of specialization and their course requirements: Development Economics-206-220, 206-221, 206-228, 206-244, 206-245, plus any of the four courses out of 206-216, 206-222, 206-223, 206-224, 206-225, 206-226, 206-227, 206-240, 206-241, 206-242, 206-250, 206-260, and two courses outside of the field based on the student's interest; Urban Economic Development-206-230, 206-231, 206-237, plus any of the six courses out of 206-216, 206-232, 206-233, 206-234, 206-235, 206-242, 206-250, 206-251, and two courses outside of the field; Monetary Fiscal Economics-206-240, 206-271, 206-272, 206-273, 206-216 plus any of the four courses out of 206-274, 206-216, 206-222, 206-240, 206-242, 206-245, 206-269, 206-250, and two courses in related fields; Human Resources Economics-206-261, 206-262, 206-223, 206-263, 206-216, plus any four courses out of 206-214, 206-233, 206-234, 206-247, 206-248, 206-250, 206-251 and two courses outside of the field.

Students must pass the comprehensive examinations offered in February and September, in the following four areas: price theory, macroeconomic theory, quantitative economics, and an area of specialization.

Students are required to take the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations in both microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory as soon as they have successfully completed the required macro- and microeconomic theory courses. If the student passes both of these examinations, that student will become eligible to take the comprehensive examinations in quantitative methods and the approved area of concentration.

Ph.D. students must also demonstrate in a formal examination a reading proficiency in French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese. Under exceptional circumstances, the department may permit students to substitute for a language an advanced course that provides skills relevant to dissertation research, such as computer programming or mathematics. The language requirement must be fulfilled before the student is admitted to candidacy.

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Note: Courses with an asterisk (*) are not currently being offered.

ECOG 200. Microeconomic Theory I. 3 crs. Advanced study of microeconomic analysis. Fall semester only. Prereq: Equivalent of ECON 170.

 ECOG 201. Microeconomic Theory II. 3 crs. Continuation of Microeconomic Theory I, with emphasis on selected problems in microeconomic analysis. Fall semester only. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 213.

 ECOG 202. Macroeconomic Theory I. 3 crs. Advanced study of macroeconomic analysis. Fall semester only. Prereq: Equivalent of ECON 171.

 ECOG 203. Macroeconomic Theory II. 3 crs. Continuation of Macroeconomic Theory I, with emphasis on selected problems in macroeconomic analysis. Fall semester only. Prereqs: ECOG 202, ECOG 211 and ECOG 213.

 ECOG 204. History of Economic Analysis. 3 crs. Provides a critical and interpretive study of the evolution of economics from ancient times to contemporary economic thought.

 ECOG 205. Microeconomic Theory III. 3 crs. Continuation of Microeconomic Theory II, with emphasis on selected problems in microeconomic analysis. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECOG 201.

 ECOG 206. Macroeconomic Theory III. 3 crs. Continuation of Macroeconomic Theory II, with emphasis on selected problems in macroeconomic analysis. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECOG 203.

ECOG 207: Workshop in Economic Research. 3 crs. Spring semester only.

ECOG 211. Econometrics I. 3 crs. Review of matrix algebra, probability, statistical inference, and single equation model. Fall semester only. Prereq: Equivalent of ECON 180.  

ECOG 212. Econometrics II. 3 crs. Advanced studies in econometric models. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECOG 211.

 ECOG 213. Mathematics for Economists. 3 crs. Examines the mathematical concepts of matrix algebra, differentiation, the implicit function theorem, convexity and concavity, integral calculus, differential and difference equations. Fall semester only. Prereq: Equivalent of ECON 183.

 *ECOG 214. Linear Programming and Operations Research. 3 crs. Application of linear programming and input-output techniques. Spring semester only.

 ECOG 216. Advanced Topics in Econometrics. 3 crs. Use of advanced econometric methods in the estimation and simulation of models. Fall semester only. Prereq: ECOG 212.

 ECOG 220. Growth and Development I. 3 crs. Study of the major theories of economic development. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 202.

 ECOG 221. Growth and Development II. 3 crs. Selected issues and problems of national development through the technique of planning. Prereqs: ECOG 220 and ECOG 201.

 *ECOG 222. The Public Economics of Development. 3 crs. Analysis of public finance and fiscal policy in developing countries. Spring semester only. Prereqs: ECON 190 and ECON 194.

 *ECOG 223. Population and Economic Development. 3 crs. Impact of population on economic development in developing countries. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECOG 220.

 *ECOG 224. Economic Development in Africa. 3 crs. Analysis of the development of selected regions in Africa. Fall semester only. Prereq: ECOG 220.

 *ECOG 225. Economic Development in Asia. 3 crs. Study of the economic development of Japan, India, and China. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECOG 220.

 *ECOG 226. Economic Development in Latin America. 3 crs. Economic development problems of Latin America. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECOG 220.

 *ECOG 227. Caribbean Economic Development. 3 crs. Investigation of various processes of development in the Caribbean. Fall semester only. Prereq: ECON 194 or ECOG 220.

 ECOG 228. Growth and Development III. 3 crs. Examination of selected problems in economic development. Prereqs: ECOG 220 and ECOG 203.

 ECOG 230. Urban Economics I. 3 crs. The history and origins of cities; location theory, urban spatial structure; theories of urban decay; urban housing markets; urban transportation structure; urban poverty and discrimination; and gentrification. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 202.

 ECOG 231. Urban Economics II. 3 crs. Study of selected urban economic problems. Prereq: ECOG 230.

 *ECOG 232. Economics of Housing and Urban Development. 3 crs. Analysis of the demand and supply of urban housing. Fall semester only. Prereq: ECOG 230.

 *ECOG 233. Health Economics. 3 crs. Investigation of current issues in economics and health services. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 211.

 *ECOG 234. Economics of Poverty and Manpower. 3 crs. Study of the factors affecting the occupational structure of the urban labor force. Spring semester only.

 *ECOG 235. Urban Transportation. 3 crs. Economic analysis of alternative modes of urban transportation. Spring semester only.

 ECOG 237. Urban Economics III. 3 crs. Advanced treatment of urban problems and planning in relation to regional economics and location theory. Prereq: ECOG 230.

*ECOG 238. Environmental Economics. 3 crs. Topics of applied and theoretical nature with emphasis on current research interests will be offered, e.g., energy, natural resources, environment, public policy, etc. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 202.

 ECOG 240. Public Finance. 3 crs. Topics in public finance and externalities. Theory and welfare aspects of public expenditure examined at the national, state and local levels of government. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 211.

 *ECOG 241. Fiscal Policy. 3 crs. Macroeconomic analysis of federal tax and expenditure policies. Fall semester only.

 *ECOG 242. The Economics of Government Subsidies. 3 crs. Analysis of the various kinds of federal government subsidies to individuals and businesses. Spring semester only.

 ECOG 244. International Economics I. 3 crs. Detailed study of the theoretical foundations of international trade. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 202.

 ECOG 245. International Economics III. 3 crs. The study of policy behavior of such economic aggregate variables as exchange rate, interest rate, tariffs, trade controls, custom unions, common markets, balance of trade, devaluation, and economic integration in open economies. Prereqs: ECOG 244 and ECOG 203.

 *ECOG 246. Comparative Economic Systems. 3 crs. Study of the theory, practice and performance of decision-making in communist, socialist, and capitalist systems. Spring semester only.

 *ECOG 247. Manpower Policy and Problems. 3 crs. The development of federal government policy and programs to maximize the utilization of human resources. Fall semester only.

 ECOG 248. Industrial Organization. 3 crs. Examination of the role of regulatory agencies and their impact on the structure and performance of businesses. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 213.

 ECOG 249. International Economics II. 3 crs. Examines the relationship between the balance of payments and money; discusses the effects on domestic economy of domestic policies under different exchange rate systems. Topics include balance of payments adjustment mechanisms, capital movements, monetary and fiscal policies to attain domestic and external targets, exchange rate determination and choices of exchange rate systems. Prereqs: ECOG 244 and ECOG 201.

 ECOG 250. Cost-Benefit Analysis. 3 crs. Study of the techniques for evaluating the benefits and costs of government projects. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 213.

 *ECOG 251. Comparative Study of Social Security Systems. 3 crs. Examination of the theory and practice of social security in the United States and the rest of the world. Fall semester only.

 *ECOG 252. Economic History of the United States 3 crs. Study of structural and institutional changes in the American economy from colonial times to the Great Depression. Fall semester only.

 *ECOG 253. Economic History of Europe. 3 crs. Development of the themes of the rise of industrial Europe. Specific country case studies are supplemented by theoretical overview. Both socialist and capitalist frameworks are employed. Spring semester only.

 *ECOG 260. Agriculture and Economic Development. 3 crs. Studies the role of agriculture in economic growth and development. Spring semester only. Prereq: ECON-194 or ECOG 220.

 ECOG 261. Labor Economics I. 3 crs. Analysis of labor supply, with emphasis on the forces which influence the personal distribution of income. Prereqs: ECOG 200, ECOG 211 and ECOG 213.

 ECOG 262. Labor Economics II. 3 crs. Analysis of the theory of labor demand at the advanced level of modern neoclassical analysis and welfare economics. Prereqs: ECOG 261 and ECOG 201.

 ECOG 263. Labor Economics III. 3 crs. New developments in human resources economics in relation to such nonhuman resources as energy. Prereq: ECOG 262.

 *ECOG 271. Monetary Economics I. 3 crs. Analysis of the demand for and supply of money, terms, structure of interest rates, and inflation. Prereqs: ECOG 200, ECOG 202.

 *ECOG 272. Monetary Economics II. 3 crs. Subjects related to money, growth, government, debt, and the effectiveness of monetary policies. Prereq: ECOG 271. Spring semester only.

 *ECOG 273. Seminar in Monetary Economics. 3 crs. New developments in monetary/ fiscal economics. Fall semester only. Prereqs: ECOG 271 and ECOG 272.

 ECOG 274. Financial Intermediation. 3 crs. Microeconomics of borrowings and lending, and discusses financial intermediation and economic development. Prereqs: ECOG 200 and ECOG 202.  

ECOG 290. Independent Study 3 crs. Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 291. Independent Study 3 crs.  Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 292. Independent Study 3 crs. Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 293. Independent Study 3 crs. Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 294 Independent Study 3 crs. Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 295. Research Topics in Economics. 3 crs. Content of course varies from semester to semester. Topics of an applied nature and current research interest will be offered, e.g., energy, natural resources, public policy, etc. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 296. Research Topics in Economics 3 crs. Content of course varies from semester to
semester. Topics of an applied nature and current research interest will be offered, e.g., energy, natural resources, public policy, etc. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 297. Research Topics in Economics 3 crs. Content of course varies from semester to semester. Topics of an applied nature and current research interest will be offered, e.g., energy, natural resources, public policy, etc. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

ECOG 298. Internship I. 3 crs. Fall semester only.

ECOG 299. Internship II. 3 crs. Spring semester only.

ECOG 300. M.A. Thesis. 3 crs.

ECOG 301. M.A. Thesis. 3 crs.

ECOG 400. Ph.D. Dissertation. 3 crs.

ECOG 401. Ph.D. Dissertation. 2 crs.

ECOG 402. Ph.D. Dissertation. 1 crs.

ECOG 403. Ph.D. Dissertation. 3 crs.

ECOG 404. Ph.D. Dissertation. 2 crs.

ECOG 405. Ph.D. Dissertation. 1 crs.

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The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications for admission: "Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials and accurate and complete information requested by the University. Applicants who fail to do so shall be denied admission. Enrolled students who as applicants failed to submit accurate and complete credentials or accurate and complete information on their application for admission shall be subject to dismissal when the same is made known, regardless of classification."

All credentials must be sent to:

 
Howard University Graduate School
Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
4th and College Streets, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20059

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