carnegie mellon university phd economics

Tepper School of Business

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Economics (Tepper): Start

• Writing for Economists - 73-270
• Economics 73-101: Freshman Seminar
• 45-711: Macroeconomics
• Journals and articles
• PhD students

Welcome to Economics

An information guide to finding data and publications to support economics courses and research at Tepper .  Use the blue tabs above for specific topics or classes.

Library Services - How Do I:

• Find a book?
• Find the best resources for any topic?
• Find a particular journal article?
• Use databases/ebooks off campus?
• Contact the business librarian?
• Get a book or article that is not at CMU?
• Reserve a group study room?
• Put material on reserve (faculty)?
• Do research after I graduate?

Looking for a particular article or journal? Here's how:

Databases you can use.

What's a database?  It can be a collection of data, articles, reports, company background, industry profiles, market identifiers, you name it.

Databases provide reliable, valuable, sophisticated information not found on Google.  For details on how to use them for specific purposes (i.e. time series data) see tabs at the top.  Questions?  Don't hesitate to ask.

• Business and Economics databases
• All library databases

• Economic Indicators
• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• National Bureau of Economic Research Economic (NBER) Indicators This link opens in a new window Links to extensive list of the latest economic releases.
• Congressional Budget Office projections
• BLS labor and economic projections
• PNC Bank - Economic Reports
• IMF World Economic Outlook

Business & Economics Librarian

Recent Research by Tepper Professors

• In KiltHub repository at CMU Carnegie Mellon's open access repository provides new faculty publications.

CASE STUDIES

Provides access to over 3,000 business cases spanning a wide range of business disciplines from leadership to entrepreneurship, to family business and social impact. The platform provides select access to cases ( click "content available to me" ), a user-friendly platform, and downloading cases. Sage has partnered with 20 business case producers, including Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern), Berkeley Haas (California), and the School of Management (Yale).

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• URL: https://guides.library.cmu.edu/economics

Universities

Carnegie Mellon University

PhD in Economics

Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania

Tepper School of Business

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Pre-requisites

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About Course

Program Duration

Degree Type

PhD in Economics at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University is a prestigious degree that offers in-depth learning in Economics. Being a renowned university, Carnegie Mellon University receives enough funds to ensure the best education facilities for its students across all programs. This doctorate program offered full-time primarily focuses on the practical implementation of fresh ideas through rigorous study and research. The students are encouraged to add new aspects and findings to the existing area of knowledge. PhD in Economics at CMU is ranked globally by estimated organisations. Such recognition speaks volumes about the course’s importance and effectiveness in the present scenario. The top-notch faculty, modern facilities, and the aura of creativity and innovation in the CMU campus is a life-changing experience for the students looking forward to kickstarting or upgrading their careers. Overall, a PhD in Economics at Carnegie Mellon University is an excellent opportunity to grow into a learned professional and bring new developments in the world.

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$47,000 / year

$2,35,000 / 60 months

5000+ Students

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B.A. in Economics

B.s. in economics, b.s. in economics and mathematical sciences, dual degree, minor in economics, economics policies and procedures, undergraduate catalog, undergraduate economics program.

Burton Hollifield, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs; PNC Professor of Finance; Professor of Financial Economics Jennifer Wegner, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs Location: Tepper Quad, Suite 2400 Email: [email protected] Advising Appointment Online Scheduler: https://meetme.so/TepperAdvising www.cmu.edu/tepper/programs/undergraduate-economics

At its most fundamental level, economics is the study of how scarce resources are allocated. What will be produced and consumed, how much, and by whom? These questions are central to the well-being of people throughout the world. Economists identify, model, and analyze problems with the objective of developing practical and efficient solutions to challenges confronting society. Economists are also active participants in the processes and institutions through which economic policies are implemented. In the public arena sphere, economists contribute to the design of programs and incentive systems to foster efficient implementation of policies. In the private sector, economists use  modeling and data-analytic skills, both in identifying ways to enhance productive efficiency within the firm and in developing strategies to enhance effectiveness of the firm as it competes in the global marketplace. 

Upon major declaration, students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Economics or Bachelor of Science in Economics are affiliated with the Tepper School of Business. This means that students complete the Tepper general education requirements and are subject to all Tepper School policies and procedures. Students interested in the Bachelor of Science in Economics+Mathematics first declare the Bachelor of Science in Economics degree and are then able to apply for Economics+Mathematics major. The academic college affiliation for students pursuing majors in Economics+Politics and Economics+Statistics is the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

The Economics majors  are designed to develop strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in the discipline of economics. More specifically, measurable objectives for our economics curriculum are the following:

Students should be able to identify, explain, and use economic concepts, theories, models, and data-analytic techniques.

Students should acquire and use knowledge of economics, mathematics, statistics, and computing flexibly in a variety of contexts, providing the foundation for success in graduate studies and careers in the public and private sectors. 

Students should be able to apply their economic tools to formulate positions on a wide range of social and economic problems and engage effectively in policy debates.

Students should use the investigative skills necessary for conducting original economic research and participating effectively in project teams.

Students should be able to deliver effective presentations in which they combine visual communication design with oral arguments and/or the written word.

Degree Options

In order to accommodate students’ wide variety of goals, three  primary degree majors are available in the Tepper School of Business:

Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Bachelor of Science in Economics

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematical Sciences (jointly administered with the Department of Mathematics)

The Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences administers two interdisciplinary Economics majors: 

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Statistics 

For students who major in other academic fields, additional major programs in Economics, Economics and Politics, and Economics and Statistics, and a minor degree program in Economics are available.

To receive the B.A. degree in Economics, students must complete at least 360 units, consisting of the requirements for Mathematics, Quantitative Analysis, Economic Core, Economic Electives, Senior Requirement, University Core, and a Minor. 

Mathematics Prerequisites 

Economic Theory Requirements 

Quantitative Analysis Requirements 

Economics Electives (36 Units)

Students must take four economics elective courses.  Economics elective courses are those numbered 73-300 or higher.

Special Electives (18 Units)

Students must take two special elective courses.  Students should consult the degree audit system for courses that satisfy the special electives requirement.

Course List

Senior Work 

In order to obtain the degree, students must complete a minor from another academic department. For students electing to complete an additional major or dual degree, the minor is waived.

UNIVERSITY CORE

Students are required to complete the Tepper University Core, general education coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. 

COMPUTING @ CARNEGIE MELLON

All undergraduate students are required to take  99-101  Computing @ Carnegie Mellon to graduate (usually taken prior to the start of the first year or during the first year). The course focuses on Carnegie Mellon tools and technologies.

To receive the B.S. degree in Economics, students must complete at least 360 units, consisting of the requirements for Mathematics, Quantitative Analysis, Economic Core, Economic Electives, Senior Requirement, University Core, and a Minor. 

Mathematics Requirement 

Economic Core Requirements 

Economics electives (54 units).

Students must take six economics elective courses.  Economics elective courses are those numbered 73-300 or higher.

Senior Requirement

In order to obtain the degree, students must complete a minor from another academic department. For students electing to complete an additional major or dual degree, the minor requirement is waived.

Students are required to complete Tepper University Core, general education coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. 

The B.S. in Economics and Mathematical Sciences is an interdisciplinary major that provides students with courses that complement and develop depth of understanding of economic theory, applied economics, and applied mathematics. The major  equips students with the mathematical tools that are essential for success in Ph.D. programs in economics, mathematics, and key functional areas of business including finance, accounting, marketing, and information systems. Students must be enrolled in the B.S. in Economics major to apply for the Economics and Mathematics major.  Acceptance into the major is based on meeting the following requirements:

Cumulative QPA of at least 3.5

Earned a "B" or better in 21-127 Concepts of Mathematics or 21-128 Mathematical Concepts and Proofs

Earned a "B" or better in  21-241 Matrices and Linear Transformations

Completed Principles of Microeconomics waiver, 73-102 Principles of Microeconomics or 73-104 Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated

Earned a "B" or better in 73-103 Principles of Macroeconomics

Earned a "B" or better in either 73-230 Intermediate Microeconomics or 73-240 Intermediate Macroeconomics

Personal statement

B.S. in Economics and Mathematical Sciences 

Economic theory requirements.

 Mathematical Sciences Requirements 

 Programming Requirement (10 Units)

 Writing Requirement 

Economic Electives (27 Units)

Students must take three economics elective courses. Economics elective courses are those courses numbered 73-300 through 73-495, (excluding 73-374 Econometrics II ).  Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to structure a set of courses which meet these requirements based on their particular interests, subject to course availability. 

Recommended Economics Electives:

Mathematical Science Depth Electives (27 Units)

Students must take three advanced mathematics depth courses. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to structure a set of courses which meet these requirements based on their particular interests, subject to course availability.

Recommended Mathematical Science Depth Electives: 

Note: Only one of the following courses may count towards the required Mathematical Sciences Depth Electives: 21-365 Projects in Applied Mathematics  or  21-366 Topics in Applied Mathematics .

Senior Work (9 units; 18 units for students completing an honors thesis in economics)

DOUBLE-COUNTING RESTRICTION

The 3 economics electives and 3 math electives cannot double count with another major or minor.

Students are required to complete University Core, general education coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. 

Additional Major in Economics

Students are eligible to apply for the Additional Major in Economics after completion of the Minor in Economics.

Mathematics Requirement

Quantitative analysis requirement

Economic Core Requirement

Economics Electives Requirement (54 units)

double count restriction  

Students pursuing the additional major may double-count two economics electives with any other major or minor requirements. There are no double counting restrictions between the additional major and a student's home college general education requirements.

Students intending to pursue a Dual Degree in Economics are required to apply for the dual degree and encouraged to consult with the Assistant Dean about their interests and application process. In addition to the student's primary degree requirements, a student accepted for Dual Degree in Economics is required to complete an overall number of units that exceeds the minimum unit requirement for the degree with the smaller unit requirement, by at least 90 units. Further, they must meet all requirements for the economics major including the Tepper's University Core requirement. The student's primary major will substitute for the minor requirement. The student's primary major must be completed prior to or at the same time as the dual degree in Economics to satisfy the minor requirement.

Students are eligible to apply for a minor upon completion of two required courses for the minor wherein they earn a 2.0 QPA or higher in said coursework.

While there are no double counting restrictions between the minor and the student's home college general education requirements, 73-265 Economics and Data Science and the 3 economics electives must be unique for the minor and cannot double count with any other major or minor.

Economic Theory Requirements (27 Units)

Quantitative Analysis Requirements (18 Units)

Students who have taken coursework in intermediate-level regression analysis and data visualization may petition to substitute 73-274 Econometrics I or 73-423 Forecasting for Economics and Business for 73-265 Economics and Data Science .  

Economics Electives (27 Units)

Students must take three economics elective courses. Economics elective courses are those numbered 73-3xx through 73-49x.  Students are encouraged to work with their economics advisor to structure a set of courses to meet these requirements based on their particular interests, subject to course availability.

Course double counts

Students cannot double count courses within the Economics curriculum. When choosing to double-count courses between Tepper and other academic departments, the double-count policies are determined by the other academic department for a minor, additional major, and/or dual degree.  There are no double-counting restrictions between the minor and the student’s home college general education requirements.

Non-Tepper students earning a minor, additional major, or dual degree in Economics must adhere to the policies listed in the catalog for double counting courses. Students pursuing multiple Tepper minors cannot double count beyond one course across the minors. There are no double-counting restrictions between the minor or additional major and the student’s home college general education requirements.

External Transfer Credit

Courses taken at higher education institutions outside of Carnegie Mellon can be considered for transfer credit through the Tepper School course equivalency process.

BA in Economics: May transfer a maximum of 18 units of economics elective course credit; BS in Economics: May transfer a maximum of 18 units of economics elective course credit; BS in Economics and Math: May transfer a maximum of 9 units of economics elective course credit; Additional Major in Economics: May transfer a maximum of 18 units of economics; Minor in Economics: May transfer a maximum of 18 units of economics elective course credit.

FIRST YEAR ACADEMIC ADVISING

First-year students interested in economics begin as Dietrich College students and are assigned a Dietrich College  Academic Advisory Center  (AAC) advisor. While the AAC advisors are the advisors of record until students formally declare their majors, students who are considering majoring in economics are encouraged to speak with the Tepper School Economics advisors so that they will have access to program resources, advising, and the community of faculty, staff, and students.

MINIMUM GRADE STANDARD

All economics courses (73-xxx and higher) counting towards an economics degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Students who fail to receive a grade of “C” or better in an economics course prerequisite will be dropped or not permitted to enroll in the associated economics course.

senior Experience

The senior experience curriculum requirement can be met through completion of 73-497 Senior Project or the honors thesis. The senior project course 73-497 can be an upper-level economics elective if students are completing an Honors Thesis and earning the BA in Economics, BS in Economics, BS in Economics and Math, or BS in Economics and Politics. 73-497 does not count as an upper-level economics elective for students pursuing the BS in Economics and Statistics.

Transferring into Economics

The Economics program accepts applications for transfer admission from any academic institution outside of Carnegie Mellon University on a limited basis. Students interested in transfer should contact Carnegie Mellon's Office of Admission.

The program also accepts applications for a major change from current Carnegie Mellon students who are in other academic programs to begin in either the fall or spring semester. To be considered, a student must have successfully completed a Carnegie Mellon math course required in the economics program ( 21-256 Multivariate Analysis 21-256 Multivariate Analysis   21-254 Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers 21-254 Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers  or  21-259 Calculus in Three Dimensions 21-259 Calculus in Three Dimensions ) and  73-102 Principles of Microeconomics   or  73-104 Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated 73-104 Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated  and 73-103 Principles of Macroeconomics .The application also requires a resume and personal statement. CMU students interested in changing to a Tepper major must complete the internal transfer application by the deadline which is always the last day of class in the semester preceding the desired semester for transfer. Successful transfer is limited by space.

LAURENCE ALES, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Carnegie Mellon, 2008–

SERRA BORANBAY AKAN, Assistant Teaching Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Northwestern University; Carnegie Mellon, 2013–

JAMES A. BEST, Assistant Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Edinburgh; Carnegie Mellon, 2018–

DAVID CHILDERS, Assistant Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Yale University; Carnegie Mellon, 2016–

KAREN B. CLAY, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, H. J. Heinz III College – Ph.D., Stanford University; Carnegie Mellon, 1998–

ROBERT M. DAMMON, Richard C. Green Professor of Financial Economics – Ph.D., University of Wisconsin; Carnegie Mellon, 1984–

KENNETH B. DUNN, Professor of Financial Economics, Emeritus – Ph.D., Purdue University; Carnegie Mellon, 1979–

DENNIS N. EPPLE, Thomas Lord University Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Princeton University; Carnegie Mellon, 1974–

SELMAN EROL, Assistant Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Carnegie Mellon, 2016–

CHRISTINA FONG, Senior Research Scientist in Social and Decision Sciences, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences – Ph.D., University of Massachusetts; Carnegie Mellon, 2001–

JOHN GASPER, Associate Teaching Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University; Carnegie Mellon, 2010–

MARTIN GAYNOR, E.J. Barone University Professor of Economics and Health Policy, H. J. Heinz III College – Ph.D., Northwestern University; Carnegie Mellon, 1995–

BURTON HOLLIFIELD, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs; PNC Professor of Finance; Professor of Financial Economics – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University; Carnegie Mellon, 1999–

KARAM KANG, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Carnegie Mellon, 2012–

ALEXEY KUSHNIR, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University; Carnegie Mellon, 2014–

FINN KYDLAND, The Richard P. Simons Distinguished Professorship; University Professor of Economics, Emeritus; Nobel Laureate (2004) – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University; Carnegie Mellon, 1977–

REBECCA LESSEM, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison; Carnegie Mellon, 2011–

BENNETT T. MCCALLUM, H. J. Heinz Professor of Economics, Emeritus – Ph.D., Rice University; Carnegie Mellon, 1981–

ROBERT A. MILLER, Richard M. Cyert and Morris DeGroot Professor of Economics and Statistics – Ph.D., University of Chicago; Carnegie Mellon, 1982–

NICHOLAS Z. MULLER, Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy – Ph.D., Yale University; Carnegie Mellon, 2017–

ANH NGUYEN, Assistant Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Columbia University; Carnegie Mellon, 2018–

JOHN R. O'BRIEN, Associate Professor of Accounting and Experimental Economics, Emeritus – Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Carnegie Mellon, 1984–

MARGARITA PORTNYKH, Distinguished Service Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Clemson University; Carnegie Mellon, 2018–

MARYAM SAEEDI, Assistant Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Carnegie Mellon, 2016–

ALI SHOURIDEH, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Carnegie Mellon, 2016–

FALLAW B. SOWELL, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., Duke University; Carnegie Mellon, 1988–

CHESTER S. SPATT, Pamela R. and Kenneth B. Dunn Professor of Finance – Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Carnegie Mellon, 1979–

STEPHEN E. SPEAR, Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Carnegie Mellon, 1982–

ARIEL ZETLIN-JONES, Associate Professor of Economics – Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Carnegie Mellon, 2012–

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Joint Ph.D. Programs

Carnegie Mellon University is a global leader in innovation, championing interdisciplinary inquiry and deeply collaborative problem-solving. Heinz College offers the following joint Public Policy Ph.D. programs, in cooperation with other departments on campus.

The Joint Ph.D. Programs in Public Policy are tailored toward students who have both policy and core-disciplinary interests.

Joint Ph.D. students not only complete disciplinary training, but they also work on applying those theories and methods to matters of public interest (such as crime prediction and prevention, cybersecurity and privacy, education policies, or technological change in society, for example).

These programs are rigorous and highly selective. Students who have strong disciplinary backgrounds—and who also wish to bring those disciplines to bear on public policy problems—are encouraged to apply.

Program Areas

Interest in any of the Joint Ph.D. Programs should be indicated on your application to Heinz College. See Ph.D. Admissions for more information.

Heinz College / Tepper School of Business

Acquire in-depth training in economics, quantitative methods, and substantive policy areas. Students interested in labor, education, and trade policies should strongly consider this program.

Key Heinz Faculty

• Lee Branstetter
• Martin Gaynor
• Edson Severnini
• Lowell Taylor
• Brian Kovak

Examination requirements

Ph.D. in Economics & Public Policy students are not required to take courses at Tepper, but they are required to pass the following qualifying examinations:

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Econometrics
• Public Economics

Microeconomics exam covers: Microeconomics I, Microeconomics II, Game Theory and Applications, and Economics of Contracts.

Macroeconomics exam covers Macroeconomics I, Dynamic Competitive Analysis, and Computational Methods for Economics.

NOTE: The Microeconomics and Macroeconomics qualifying exams are the same exams that all Tepper Economics PhD students take.

Econometrics requirement can be satisfied in two ways: They may take the Tepper qualifying examination in Econometrics, or they may take the Heinz quantitative requirements course sequence and take a qualifying examination based on that course sequence.

Students with appropriate preparation prior to their entry to the joint program may choose to take the qualifying exams prior to the third semester.

Course Requirements

The course requirements for the joint program combine those of the separate programs, with the following differences:

• Students have the flexibility to take econometrics sequences at Tepper or Heinz, and can also take certain courses in econometrics/statistical methods within the Department of Statistics.
• The Heinz research seminar requirement is reduced from a two-course requirement to a one-course requirement. Public Economics is typically taught in research seminar format.

Heinz College / School of Computer Science

The Joint Ph.D. Program in Machine Learning & Public Policy is a program for students to gain the skills necessary to develop new state-of-the-art machine learning technologies and apply these successfully to real-world policy issues. Students are expected both to make fundamental contributions to the science of machine learning as well as addressing core problems in one or more policy domains.

• Leman Akoglu
• Jeremy Weiss
• George Chen

Program Requirements

Students interested in the joint Ph.D. in Machine Learning & Public Policy must first gain admission to and enroll in either the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management program or  the Ph.D. in Information Systems and Management at Heinz College. Students should apply to the program most closely aligned with their main research interests. Students may apply to the joint program only after beginning their Ph.D studies at Heinz College. Click here for more details on Ph.D. admissions .

• Heinz College Ph.D. students should express their interest early to their Heinz College advisor to plan appropriately for applying to the ML program.
• Completion of the  five ML Core courses , with an average GPA of 3.5
• Completion of a Data Analysis Project, satisfied within the student's home department.
• Serve once as a Teaching Assistant for the Machine Learning Department

The Joint Ph.D. thesis committee must include one MLD Core or Affiliated Faculty, and the thesis proposal/defense must be announced to the MLD community.

Heinz College / Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Heinz College and the Department of Statistics offer a joint Ph.D. in Statistics & Public Policy. This five-year program provides students with comprehensive preparation at the Ph.D. level in both statistics and public policy. The curriculum draws on existing courses in both Statistics and Heinz College, recognizing that selected courses can meet objectives of both programs.

Critical to the success of the joint program is the close collaboration among faculty members from Heinz College and Statistics. While students will have separate faculty advisors from both sides, their progress will be regularly assessed by a joint group of faculty.

• Amelia Haviland
• Daniel Nagin
• Alexandra Chouldechova

The Statistics & Public Policy curriculum is tailored to the individual student's interests and needs, but the general strategy is similar: to meld the two sets of Ph.D. requirements into a coherent and useful set of courses, with similar core items.

The dissertation research topic for students in the joint program should be relevant to both faculties, and the dissertation will be supervised jointly by members from both sides.

A sample schedule can be viewed on the Dietrich website.

There will only be a single thesis proposal and thesis defense. These will involve presentations to a joint group of faculty and students from the two separate programs, and the basic rules will resemble closely those used for Statistics proposals and dissertations.

Luis Quintero, PhD

Luis Quintero (PhD in Economics and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University) was an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School from 2015 to 2024, and he continues to teach courses on a part-time basis. His work focuses on urban and real estate economics, especially related to housing markets, agglomeration economies and policy-related issues like housing affordability. He also does research on determinants of growth, decline, and sustainability of cities in developed and developing economies.

At JHU Carey Business School he teaches courses on infrastructure development of sustainable cities, real estate and infrastructure finance, and microeconomics. He works on policy analysis for the 21st Century Cities Initiative at JHU and is part of the core faculty at the Hopkins Business of Health Initiative. He also co-directs the Latin American and the Caribbean Economics Association (LACEA) urban economics network.

Luis’s work has been published in leading economic journals, and his work has been quoted in the media, including NPR, Fox, The Economist, Baltimore Magazine, The Washington Post, the LA Times, and CNN.

• Ph. D, Economics, Carnegie Mellon University
• MA, Economics and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
• MA, Economics, Universidad de los Andes
• BS, Economics, Universidad de los Andes

Selected publications

• A New Approach to Estimating Hedonic Equilibrium Models for Metropolitan Housing Markets. with D. Epple and H. Sieg, forthcoming in Journal of Political Economy. 
• Public Procurement, Control and Public Goods Provision. Forthcoming in the book Estate Capacity, CAF 2015.
• Economic Growth Outbreaks: Is Connectedness a Good Predictor? with Carlos Patino. The Heinz Journal of Public Policy. 2014.
• The Politics of Market Selection. Desarrollo Y Sociedad, Vol 57, Universidad de los Andes.

Working papers

• Managing Decline: Urban dynamics in Declining Cities with Paula Restrepo.
• Explaining Spatial Variations in Productivity. Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean with Mark Roberts. 
• Fewer players, fewer homes: concentration and the new dynamics of housing supply, with Jacob Cosman.
• Infrastructure Development for Sustainable Cities

Honors and distinctions

• Carey Business School's Dean's List Award
• Eastern Europe and Central Asia World Bank Academy Award for Best Paper 2020.
• Carey's Business School Supplementary Research Grant
• Teaching Innovation Fund Award
• Global Real Estate Summit. Best Paper Award, Second Level, 2015
• American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (AREUEA) Homer Hoyt Institute Best Doctoral Dissertation Award 2014.
• William Larimer Mellon Fellowship, Carnegie Mellon University, 2008-2013.
• MOOD Fellowship for the 12th Doctoral Workshop in Economic Theory and Econometrics. Rome 2012.
• ICE fellowship for the University of Chicago- Argonne Initiative for Computational Economics. Chicago, 2012.

In the media

• America is getting worse at building new homes , The Economist
• Reckoning With the Wreckage: Baltimore Businesses Reinvent Themselves , Baltimore Magazine.
• Economists identify an unseen force holding back affordable housing , The Washington Post.
• Is the Elimination of Plastic Straws Justified?, CNN en Español.
• Research examines impacts of rent regulation...
• Breaking Down the Elements of Infrastructure Bill
• Concentration of larger builders means less...

Assistant Professor, Carnegie Mellon University

Me : I am an Assi stant Professor in the Department of Social and Decision Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. I received my PhD in Health Economics and Policy from Emory University . Previously, Johns Hopkins and Rice University trained.

My research: I am a health and behavioral economist. My research interests lie at the intersection of decision theory and health policy. 

I try to find evidence for theories of decision-making (from psychology and economics) within "real-world” data. To that end, I often focus on the decisions made by physicians -- a setting where decisions are plenty, consequential, and affected by a variety of interesting and policy-relevant factors.

Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs

Prospective graduate student information.

Carnegie Mellon University is a global research university with a proud heritage of outstanding graduate and undergraduate education and research. Our vision is that CMU will meet the changing needs of society by building on its traditions of innovation, problem solving and interdisciplinarity. From the arts to technology, humanities and the sciences, we reach across boundaries to bring together bright minds to move us forward locally, nationally and globally with creative solutions to worldwide challenges.

CMU is home to master’s and doctoral programs within our seven schools and colleges, which are ranked among the top in the country .  CMU also offers online programs and dozens of interdisciplinary programs . In addition, CMU is a global university with more than a dozen degree-granting locations and more than 20 research partnerships.

To learn more about the graduate programs offered at CMU, see the Guide to Graduate Degrees and Programs section , which provides a college-based list that will direct you to the college websites for detailed information. You are also encouraged to explore the information and resources throughout this website to learn more about the many facets of graduate study at CMU.

• Academic Calendar
• Discovering Pittsburgh
• Exploring Pittsburgh Travel and Accommodations
• Off-Campus Housing
• News and Events

A cornerstone of our graduate education is research with a focus on advancing knowledge and finding meaningful solutions to significant problems of society. This real-world, hands-on approach has made CMU home to excellent faculty and students in engineering, computer science, the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, business administration and the fine arts.

This philosophy has also been the basis for interdisciplinary study and research to an extent that is rarely found elsewhere. CMU houses a myriad of interdisciplinary research facilities that combine expertise in diverse fields to produce exciting new areas of exploration.

Our commitment to diversity in our research and in our student population truly makes CMU a unique place to carry out your graduate education. Support for our graduate students and respect for diversity begins with recruitment and continues through our many retention programs. Whether students are looking for professional development opportunities, small project research grants or funding for conference attendance, CMU provides people, programs and resources for our students to succeed.

Admission and Application Process

Each program manages their own separate admissions process, including deadlines and requirements, and this information varies by department. You are encouraged to visit the department's website in which you are interested to find specific details.

A student’s qualifications are not assessed until a full application has been received and processed. To learn more about your eligibility and how to apply, visit the department’s website in which you are interested. Some departments provide a few guidelines regarding the level of competitiveness. If provided, this would be found on the department website.

You are welcome to apply to more than one program, but in most cases you will need to complete separate applications for each. It is recommended not to assume that you can submit the exact same materials for each and to look closely at each program’s application requirements. Moreover, many departments have a list of FAQs that will address common issues, so if you are having technical difficulties with the application, check the department website and if the problem is not addressed on the website, contact the department directly.

Check the department website for an admission notification timeline or contact a department administrator to find out when you can expect a response regarding admissions.

All admissions-related questions, including where to submit transcripts, exam requirements, and how to set up a visit, should be directed to the department in which you are interested by visiting the college/school website linked in the Guide to Graduate Degrees and Programs section .

Tuition and Financial Support

For the most part, students in the master's programs are self-supporting, and Ph.D. students are at least partially funded and encouraged to apply to fellowships. Each program makes their own arrangements regarding financial support of potential graduate students. Applicants should seek information from the department of interest for their specific opportunities. 

More information regarding tuition and fees can be found on the Student Financial Services website . 

Visit the Funding Opportunities and Fellowships page to learn more about the centralized programs and resources that are in place for graduate student conference funding, small project research grants, professional engagement funding, and fellowship and scholarship opportunities, including the CMU Rales Fellows Program .

Guide to Graduate Degrees and Programs

You are encouraged to explore the individual school/program’s website for a full listing of available programs. 

• College of Engineering
• College of Fine Arts
• Dietrich College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
• Mellon College of Science
• School of Computer Science
• Tepper School of Business

University-Level Programs

• Entertainment Technology Center
• Integrated Innovation Institute
• Online Programs

Software Engineering Ph.D. Program

Software and societal systems department, build it better....

Software is becoming ever more important to our daily lives, as well as every sector of industry.  But as software systems increase in capability, they increase in complexity, resulting in delays, defects, and vulnerabilities.

Our Ph.D. program in Software Engineering seeks to educate the next generation of high-impact software engineering research, development, and educational leaders who will solve the problems associated with building large-scale and critical software systems.  Learn about our groundbreaking research , our world-leading faculty , and our alumni who are already making a big difference in the world.  We hope you will apply  to our Ph.D. program  so you can join us in learning to build software better!

Don't Forget!

Applications to the Ph.D. program in Software Engineering are accepted every year with a deadline in  December. This year the application window is open  September 4th, 2024, Early Deadline of November 20th, 2024, and final Deadline of December 11th, 2024. 

Learn how to apply

• Why Software Engineering?
• What are your research strengths?
• What will my course of study look like?
• What are the prerequisites for admission?
• How is this program going to help my career?
• How do I apply?

Video Highlights

Our faculty are taking on some of the most exciting technical challenges modern software faces. Learn more about their work in these short research vignettes!

Program Highlight Videos

Featured Student

Featured Research

Featured Alumna

Graduate Program

Ph.d. in economics.

The Ph.D. program at Berkeley is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced study and conducting original research in Economics. The Ph.D. degree is awarded in recognition of the recipient's qualifications as a general economist and of the ability to make scholarly contributions in fields of specialization. Additionally, the Economics Ph.D. program is residential, there is no remote enrollment option. 

In advancing to the Ph.D. degree, students pass through two major stages:

• Preparation for candidacy typically takes two to three years. During the first two semesters, students take courses to achieve competence in econometric methods, methods of economic history and fundamentals of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. During the next two years, students prepare for examination in two fields of specialization of their choosing, prepare a dissertation prospectus, and take an oral examination. When these steps are completed, students are advanced to candidacy.
• Completion of a dissertation after advancing to candidacy typically takes one to two years. The dissertation must be based on original research and represent a significant contribution to the body of Economic knowledge.

The entire process takes approximately five to six years, although some students are able to complete the program in less time. Below is an overview of the program requirements by year and other pertinent information.

Program Requirements

• Years 4 to 6
• Program Rules
• Frequently Used Forms
• Financial Support