Graduate Program in Economics

The Department of Economics at Northern Illinois University offers graduate programs leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics. The Ph.D. program began in 1969, while the M.A. program is somewhat older. Our graduates have obtained academic appointments in colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and in many foreign countries. They also hold a variety of responsible public and private sector positions.

Students in both the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are required to take a sequence of core courses in mathematical methods and econometrics. Courses in a wide variety of additional areas are offered, thus ensuring that students have sufficient flexibility to pursue particular interests or to prepare for specific career objectives. Especially emphasized are labor economics, public economics, and urban and regional economics. There are no foreign language requirements in either degree program.

Many graduate students are awarded research and teaching assistantships during their stay in the program. Apart from providing students with financial support, the assistantships provide valuable research and teaching experience.

In cooperation with the Graduate School, each year the department sponsors several seminars by prominent economists on topics of current interests. And an internal Research Colloquium offers graduate students and faculty an opportunity to present the results of their current research. All doctoral students are required to report on their dissertation research.

For a current NIU Graduate Catalog and application materials, click here.

You can also contact the Graduate School at:

The Graduate School
Adams Hall 102
Northern Illinois University
De Kalb, IL 60115
(815) 753-0395

To speak to the Economics Graduate Director, you can stop by or call at:

Zulauf Hall, Room 515
(815) 753-6966 or (815) 753-1032

You can also contact us at the following email address:

econ@niu.edu