The interfield degree in Political Science and Economics is an interdisciplinary degree in political economy. The program is offered as a collaboration of the faculty of both the Politics & Policy (Political Science) and the Economics department.

Students must be accepted into the doctoral programs of both departments. One department will serve as the student’s primary department and dictate the field to be listed first on the student’s diploma at graduation–whether Political Science and Economics or Economics and Political Science.

Degree Requirements

Coursework.  A minimum of 80 units are required, composed of a core, a methods minor field, a political science major field, and an economics major field.

Qualifying Exams.  A modified qualifying exam structure takes into account requirements of the two programs.

• Economics: Combined testing on ECON 302 and 313 and a field of application
• Politics & Policy: Testing on a field of application

Dissertation.  Students must propose, produce, and defend a dissertation that meets the rigorous methodological standards of and draws from both fields.  Refer to the Doctoral Degree Regulations  section of the Bulletin for policies and procedures.

University Policies.  University policies detailed in the Academic Policies  section of the Bulletin apply.

Core Courses (24 units)

Political Economy

Required Courses:

• SP&E 411 -  International Political Economy 
• SP&E 418 -  Political Economy of International Development 

Economics

Required Courses:

• ECON 313 - Microeconomic Analysis
• ECON 302 - Macroeconomics I

Two of the following, with approval of the field advisor.

• SP&E 315 - Game Theory
• ECON 316 - Consumer Theory and General Equilibrium
• ECON 317 - Game Theory and Asymmetric Information
• SP&E 317 - Advanced Formal Models
• ECON 303 - Advanced Macroeconomics

Methods Sequence (16 units)

Choose one of the following four-course statistical sequences.

Track 1

• TNDY401i - Nature of Scientific Inquiry
• ECON 381 - Probability and Statistics for Econometrics
• ECON 382 - Econometrics I
• ECON 383 - Econometrics II or ECON 384 - Time Series Econometrics

Track 2

• TNDY 401i - Nature of Scientific Inquiry
• PP 481 -  Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 482 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 487 - Applied Data Analysis or PP488 - Advanced Methods

Field Options (40 units)

Nine courses or 40 units are required according to the following distribution.  

Political Science (20 units)

The Faculty of Political Science requires a minimum of five (5) courses to complete a field (20 units). Here is a list of fields available:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Political Philosophy - additional units may be required; consult the political philosophy advisor
• Public Policy
• World Politics
• International Political Economy
• Methods

Economics (20 units)

• Behavioral Economics & Neuroeconomics
• International Money & Finance
• International Economic & Development Policy
• Political Economy & Public Economics