Economics

Taking Advantage of Economics: New Skills and Perspectives Across Disciplines

Clark has long-established programs in Economic Development (IDCE) and Geography. Both of these programs offer students opportunities to acquire skills at using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for data development. GIS data have found a number of applications in environmental and urban research. Professor Ickowitz is an affiliated scholar with the IDCE. In addition, Clark is the home of the George Perkins Marsh Institute, which provides a research focus for environmental and development issues. Professors Geoghegan and Gray are affiliate faculty members of the Institute. Professor Geoghegan also has an affiliation with the Clark Graduate School of Geography.

A Unique Opportunity for Ph.D. Education

Clark's Ph.D. program in economics offers students the unique opportunity to earn a Ph.D. in the setting of a liberal arts and research university. These advantages include small classes, ready access to faculty who have published in leading journals in their fields, and an intellectual environment where differences in disciplinary approaches need not serve as barriers to learning. The program has been granting Ph.D.s since the 1930s, and its graduates have developed successful careers in teaching, research, and business.

Program Focus

The program structure emphasizes the development of the theoretical understanding and empirical skills required to carry out research in applied economic analysis. Already in their second year, students have opportunities to conduct and present original research. The early emphasis on research helps students move rapidly after reaching the dissertation stage. This emphasis also assists Clark Ph.D.s in their job search.

The Clark program develops basic skills in economic theory and econometrics as well as in research. All students complete two semesters in introductory statistics and econometrics, two semesters of microeconomic theory and two semesters of macroeconomic theory. In addition, they specialize in two fields, each consisting of two to three semesters of coursework, and take additional course work in two electives. The Clark program regularly offers students specializations in four fields:

International Economics
Spatial Environmental Economics
Applied Econometrics
Development Economics

Other fields are occasionally offered and it is possible to combine related courses into a field, subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Elective graduate courses are offered in a variety of areas, including urban economics, industrial organization and labor economics. These courses are offered contingent on faculty and student interest.

Research Dissertations

The list of recent dissertations provides an overview of the exciting research in applied economics being conducted by Clark Ph.D. students. The congenial size of the program and the emphasis at Clark on high-quality teaching also offer students opportunities to cross field boundaries in their own research. Combinations of trade and industrial organization or environmental economics and economic development are two examples of how Clark Ph.D. students can draw on insights and techniques in related fields for their research.