Georgia Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The programme emphasizes advanced microeconomic theory, econometric methods and applied economic research. Early years concentrate on core coursework in microeconomic theory, econometrics and quantitative methods, followed by specialised seminars in areas such as industrial organisation, labour economics, public economics, health economics, environmental economics, behavioural and experimental economics, and applied microeconometrics.

Typical elements of the curriculum include:

• Core theory sequence covering general equilibrium, game theory and information economics
• Advanced econometrics, including causal inference, panel data, structural estimation and machine-learning-based methods for econometrics
• Research seminars and workshops where students present working papers and develop dissertation projects
• Electives that may be taken across Scheller College of Business and other Georgia Tech units (e.g. School of Economics, College of Engineering, School of Computer Science) to support interdisciplinary projects
• Regular participation in faculty-led reading groups, departmental seminars and applied research labs

After completing coursework, students pass qualifying exams or paper requirements, formally propose a dissertation, and spend the remaining years conducting original research under faculty supervision and teaching undergraduate or master's level courses as part of professional development.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong quantitative preparation and clear research potential. Typical academic background includes a bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, or a related quantitative field.

• Solid foundation in calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistics and intermediate microeconomics
• Prior coursework in econometrics or mathematical statistics is strongly recommended
• Evidence of programming or data-analysis skills (for example in R, Python, MATLAB, Stata) is advantageous
• A research statement outlining interests and fit with faculty research; academic transcripts; curriculum vitae; and strong letters of recommendation that address research potential
• Applicants who have completed a master’s degree with research components or have prior research experience will typically be more competitive

Admissions decisions also take into account the match between an applicant’s interests and the research expertise of faculty in the economics area of the Scheller College of Business and affiliated departments.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of high-level roles reflecting the programme’s quantitative and research emphasis. Common career paths include:

• Academic positions: tenure-track faculty roles in economics, business schools and economics departments
• Research institutions and think tanks: policy research and economic analysis
• Government and central banks: applied research, policy design and evaluation
• Industry roles: economic consulting, data science, product analytics, strategy and research roles in technology and finance companies
• International organisations: research and advisory roles in organisations focusing on development, trade and public policy

The programme’s emphasis on rigorous empirical methods and interdisciplinary collaboration prepares graduates for both academic research and data-driven decision-making roles in the public and private sectors.

Why study at Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech is known for its quantitative, interdisciplinary approach to business and economics. The Scheller College of Business, together with Georgia Tech’s School of Economics and strong engineering and computing units, provides an environment where economists can draw on state-of-the-art methods in data science, networks and optimisation.

• Access to faculty with expertise in theoretical and applied microeconomics and modern econometric methods
• Opportunities for cross-department collaboration with computer science, engineering and public policy researchers
• Active seminar programmes, research centres and partnerships with the Atlanta business and policy community that facilitate applied projects and placements
• Advanced computing resources and support for empirical research, including access to large datasets and high-performance computing
• A focus on professional development through teaching experience, academic publishing support and career placement services

Students benefit from a research environment that combines rigorous training with strong connections to industry and public-sector research opportunities in a major metropolitan region.