Program Statistics
Visit PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Managerial Economics and Strategy
Degree Types: PhD
The PhD program in Managerial Economics & Strategy (MECS), a program offered jointly by the Departments of Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences (MEDS) and Strategy, emphasizes the use of rigorous theoretical and empirical models to solve problems in both theoretical and applied economics. A distinctive feature of the program is its particular focus on methods and insights drawn from microeconomics. The program should appeal to students who wish to investigate economic questions in scenarios where the actions of individual decision makers (such as individual people, firms, or countries) play a key role in determining outcomes. The program is appropriate for students with an aptitude for analytical thinking, mathematical modeling, and formal analysis.
The MECS program produces research scholars who obtain academic positions at top economics departments and business schools throughout the world. This objective is achieved by restricting class sizes (averaging 5-6 students entering per year), accelerating students’ exposure to the development of research ideas, and by providing access to courses taught in the MEDS and Strategy Departments along with Northwestern’s Economics Department.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact Jo Ann Yablonka
Program Administrator
847-491-7465
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Requirements can also be found in the Program Guidelines for Managerial Economics & Strategy PhD students issued by the Kellogg School of Management.
Master's
The goal of our doctoral program is the awarding of a PhD degree. En route to this goal, a Master of Science (MS) degree can be awarded to currently enrolled, qualified Kellogg doctoral students who are in good academic standing and have successfully completed at lest nine quality letter-graded courses (ABC, not P/NP or S/U) authorized for graduate credit with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
PhD
Total Units Required: 18
Students in the PhD program are required to take (at least) the following nine courses in their first year (at least 3 courses in each of the fall, winter, and spring quarters).
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| MECS 560-1 | Static Optimization in Economics |
| MECS 560-2 | Dynamic Optimization in Economics |
| MECS 560-3 | Research in Economics |
| ECON 410-1 | Microeconomics |
| ECON 410-2 | Microeconomics |
| ECON 410-3 | Microeconomics |
| ECON 480-1 | Econometrics |
| ECON 480-2 | Econometrics |
| ECON 480-3 | Econometrics |
In the second year, PhD students register for a minimum of nine courses to fulfill the 18-course requirement. These nine courses must contain at least three sequences – at least two courses within the same area of study. Registration for an Independent Study (MECS 499-0) may count towards the coursework requirement.
Other PhD Degree Requirements
- Candidacy: Students must demonstrate competence in three core areas of first year courses: microeconomics, econometrics, and optimization. Competency is achieved by obtaining at least a 3.0 GPA in each sequence as described in the program guidelines. Students who have met the competency requirement are passed into candidacy at the end of the first year.
- Research/Projects: Completion of an approved second-year research paper submitted in September prior to the beginning of year three.
- PhD Dissertation: Original and significant research. Topic should be selected in year three, in collaboration with the advisor or advisors; presentation of preliminary results (prospectus) to committee members no later than September 15 prior to the beginning of fourth year.
- Final Evaluations: Oral final examination on dissertation and submission of an approved dissertation.