Economic Education (Ph.D.)

Program Status

The Ph.D. in economic education is not accepting applications for admission.

The doctorate in economic education is designed to train the next generation of leaders in this fast-growing field. It is a joint program of Lerner’s economics department and the College of Education and Human Development.

The field of economic education focuses on developing and evaluating economic and financial literacy programs and curricula in the K-12 school system, universities and a wide variety of outreach programs.

Traditionally, professionals and scholars in this field have been trained in either economics or education, with little or no formal training in the other area. This is no longer adequate. The increasing complexity and importance of economics in today’s world requires scholars and leaders who have a deeper understanding of both disciplines.

The program draws on the strengths of the University of Delaware’s economics and education graduate programs and on UD’s nationally-recognized Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship.

Program Highlights

The curriculum is evenly balanced between coursework in economics and education. The elective options allow you to specialize in one area or the other, depending on your interests and strengths.

The program can be completed in four years following a B.A., although the typical student takes five years to complete the degree. Students with substantial prior graduate training in economics or education can complete the program in three years.

Program Requirements

Graduate students are required to be registered for courses every semester, including the semester in which their degree is conferred, unless they are on an approved Leave of Absence.

The program requires a minimum of 45 graduate-level credits.

Sample Schedules

Sample schedules by semester are provided below.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of our program, you will have a wide range of professional and academic employment opportunities, including:

• University departments of economics and education
• Councils and centers for economic education (approximately 200 nationally, most affiliated with universities)
• Education units within regional Federal Reserve banks and other private sector businesses and foundations with an interest in economic and financial education
• School districts and state departments of education
• Education consulting and evaluation firms

Where Our Graduates Work

The doctorate in economic education is a relatively new program at the University of Delaware. Our first graduate completed her doctorate in 2013. She is currently employed as an economic education specialist with the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Our second graduate completed her degree in 2016 and is on the faculty of the Department of Economics at Michigan State University.

News

• Student Team Repeats as Winners of CEEE’s Stock Market Game - More than 1,300 Delaware students tapped into the spirit of competition and learned lessons about the stock market along the way in CEEE’s fall 2023 Stock Market Game competition.
• What Can You Do With an Economics Degree? - The study of economics places students at the juncture of social science, business and social policy. Read this article to find out if a degree in economics is right for you.
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• UD’s CEEE and DE Treasurer Teach Children to Save - Delaware State Treasurer Colleen Davis joined more than 130 guest lecturers from Delaware’s banking community who volunteered their time to visit with third and fourth graders across the state during Teach Children to Save Day Week, held from April 19 to 23.
• Lerner Remote Resources - The Lerner College is committed to supporting our community during this uncertain time. Please refer to this page for important resources and contact information.