Doctorate in Economics and Data Analysis

DEDA - Doctorate in Economics and Data Analysis

The DEDA is a comprehensive doctoral program that combines rigorous theoretical and practical training in applied economics and data science. The program focuses on developing the analytical and quantitative skills that prepare students for careers in public, private, and non-profit organizations, where they will work as high-level analysts and leaders. Students choose whether to emphasize microeconomics or international development.

[Note: The PhD in Economic Sciences, not the DEDA, is intended for students who specifically wish to prepare themselves to be professors.]

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Degree Requirements

Coursework.  A minimum of 64 units of graduate-level coursework is required, including completion of the core course requirements listed below. Students entering with the prerequisites and attending full time complete the degree in 3 summers and 5 academic-year semesters, or about 2.5 years.

Prerequisites. Students entering with a BA/BS should have 3 or more years of professional experience and take ECON 308- Math for Economists, ECON 381- Probability & Statistics for Econometrics, ECON 313 – Microeconomic Analysis or ECON 316 – Consumer Theory and General Equilibrium, and ECON 302 – Modern Macroeconomics (16 units).

Students entering with an MA/MS in Economics are assumed to have the equivalent of this coursework but should take courses as needed; any needed prerequisites are in addition to the 64 units required for the DEDA.

Field of Study. Students have 16 units of field-of-study coursework. 12 units are to be chosen in consultation with their advisors. Most students will select from Applied Microeconomics, or International Economics and Development Policy (IEDP)

Transdisciplinary Course Requirement. Students will take at least 6 units of TNDY courses, offered cohort-style in summer intensive formats.

Research Tool. Students take at least 24 units of research tools courses.

Qualifying Exams. There are no qualifying exams. Students take 10 units of practicum courses and 8 units of capstone courses.

Practical Experience Milestone. See below.

Dissertation. There is no dissertation requirement. Students complete 10 units of practicum courses and 8 units of capstone courses, including 4 units of a Capstone Completion course. The rigorous, applied capstone project is in lieu of a dissertation.

Core Requirements (64 units)

Research Tool (24 units)

SPE 489 - Computational Tools for Social Science
ECON 382 - Econometrics I (prerequisites are Econ 308 - Math for Economists, Econ 381 – Probability & Statistics for Econometrics, or equivalent)
ECON 383 - Econometrics II (prerequisite is ECON 382 or equivalent)
SPE 487 - Visualizing Data
ECON 377 - Causal Modeling, Big Data & Machine Learning OR Math 462 - Mathematics of Machine Learning
ECON 384 - Time Series Econometrics

Transdisciplinary Studies (6 units)

Three sets of summer-intensive TNDY courses will be offered (generally lasting 1-2 weeks). One purpose of these courses is cross-disciplinary cohort building, and courses should be taken in person. Topics will cover elements of the following: problem-focused approaches, systems thinking, transdisciplinary thinking, wicked problems, leadership, conflict resolution, project management, etc.

Field of Study Courses (16 units)

Econ 317 - Game Theory & Asymmetric Information

12 units of Field courses are chosen in consultation with the advisor. Most students will choose from Applied Microeconomics (e.g., Behavioral, Experimental, and Neuro Economics; Crime & Law Economics), or International Economics and Development Policy (IEDP)

Practicum Courses (10 units)

DEDA students will take 10 units of practicum coursework.

2 units of foundational skills
4 units of intermediate skills
4 units of integration and application

Capstone Courses (8 units)

DEDA students will take a total of 8 units of Capstone courses, one during the first year, one during the second year, and one during the final semester of the program.

A 2-unit Capstone Proposal course
A 2-unit Capstone Progress course
A 4-unit Capstone Completion course

Field of Study Options

Division of Politics and Economics Practical Experience Milestone

Doctoral students in the Division of Politics and Economics must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through:

An applied research project with CGU or 5C faculty OR
An applied research report submitted to a client OR
One or more semesters of relevant work experience between matriculation and graduation OR
Another practical or applied work or research experience approved by the department as achieving one or more program learning outcomes.

Students must have their milestones approved by the department prior to the submission of their Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (maximum of 7 years for doctoral students). Extensions of Time to Degree citing the need to complete this milestone will not be approved. Students can have a maximum of 3 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.