Prior to being accepted into a doctoral program in behavioral economics, you must first complete an undergraduate and graduate degree. Many universities do not offer a degree in behavioral economics because it is a subcategory of economics. Other programs that are directly related to this profession, on the other hand, may be considered as undergraduate options. If you want to pursue a PhD in behavioral economics, your undergraduate coursework should be heavily based on economic principles, regardless of your major.
Working with a department head or adviser during your undergraduate years can help you ensure that you take the courses you need to advance to a master’s program in economics. If your university offers it, undergraduate courses in economics may include principles of economics, microeconomics, experimental economics, and behavioral economics. These programs usually take at least four years to complete, and you should start looking into graduate degree programs during that time.
A master’s degree in an economic field will help you gain admission to a doctoral program and, eventually, a PhD in behavioral economics. Because behavioral economics is a relatively uncommon degree topic, you might want to consider a general economics degree with a strong foundation in behavioral economics to prepare. Growth and development, economic forecasting, managerial economics, and collective decisions are some of the classes you might want to take. Courses will vary depending on the university, but you should look for those that are related to your intended PhD topic. A master’s degree program typically lasts two years, and to be accepted into a doctoral program, you must typically excel in your coursework.
A PhD in behavioral economics will require you to successfully complete a number of doctoral level economics courses. Although behavioral economics will not be covered in all of your classes, you may want to supplement your schedule with courses that will give you a strong foundation in this area. Behavioral decision making, financial behavior, and behavioral economics foundations are some of the courses that will help you earn a PhD in behavioral economics.