economic development phd

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DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

• Prospective Ph.D.s
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Development Economics

Global poverty research lab.

The Global Poverty Research Lab, housed in the Buffett Institute for Global Studies, uses empirical evidence to address the challenges of overcoming poverty and improve well-being in the developing world. The Lab is an academic hub for empirical development economics and related disciplines

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Northwestern has a fast-growing, dynamic group of faculty working in the area of economic development. Development economics increasingly emphasizes research that integrates  cutting-edge theory  and  first-rate empirical work , and Northwestern's development community benefits from interaction with the theory, econometrics, and labor groups within the department, as well as the Mathematical Economics and Decision Sciences, Finance and Management and Strategy groups within the Kellogg School of Management, and the labor and education economists in the School of Education. The department has a weekly Applied Microeconomics seminar and additionally, development faculty and students often attend seminars held by the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), and other departmental field seminars such as theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics.

Within the economics department, Northwestern's development faculty includes affiliates of major research organizations such as the National Bureau for Economic Research (NBER) and Centre for Economic Policy Research, as well as leading development organizations including the Bureau for Research and Economics Analysis of Development (BREAD), Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), and the International Growth Centre.

In an exciting development, 2011 saw the creation of the Center for the Study of Development Economics (CSDE), a research center based in the economics department and dedicated to top-quality empirical development research. The Center for International Macroeconomics (CIM), a joint venture of the Economics Department and Kellogg School of Management's finance group, also funds research in development economics. These affiliations and resources put Northwestern's faculty at the heart of field-based data collection, including surveys, field experiments, and field-based lab experiments.  In 2017, CSDE joined forces with the newly created Global Poverty Research Lab, housed in the Buffett Institute for Global Studies.

MRes/PhD International Development

Introduction.

This is a vibrant MRes/PhD programme that uses a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods from across the social sciences to explore questions of global development.

You’ll have the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and makes an original contribution to international development. You’ll begin on the MRes, and once you’ve met certain requirements, you’ll progress to the PhD.

The Department of International Development promotes interdisciplinary graduate teaching and research on processes of social, political, and economic development and change. The department is dedicated to understanding problems of poverty and late development within local communities, as well as national and international political and economic systems.

You’ll have the opportunity to study across several broad themes, including: complex emergencies, security, and humanitarianism in war-torn societies; comparative politics of development; and governance, civil society, and informal politics.

The programme also explores development management; development economics; and the demography of developing countries and the politics of global health.

Our faculty has considerable experience of living and working in the developing world, and most have engaged in policy-relevant research and consultancy work with international development agencies or non-governmental organisations.

Entry requirements

Taught master’s degree with 65 or above overall and in the dissertation element, or the equivalent.

See the GRE/GMAT requirement under additional tests.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Additional tests

GRE/GMAT requirement

Highly recommended but not compulsory.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher . Read more about our English language requirements .

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

Introductory course.

If you're planning to use advanced quantitative analysis in your PhD research, you're recommended to take an introductory summer course, particularly if you want to take advanced statistical courses.

First year (MRes)

The MRes programme is the entry point to doctoral research and is designed both to train you in development approaches and perspectives, and to provide significant flexibility to develop advanced methodological and theoretical skills within disciplinary specialisms appropriate to your research interests.

In addition, you'll develop any necessary language skills and background knowledge of specific topics related to your research.

Development History, Theory and Policy for Research Students

Research design and proposal in international development, research design in international development, methodology courses to the value of one unit, methodology or theory courses to the value of half a unit, first year (phd).

Subject to satisfactory performance, you'll be upgraded to the PhD programme and will implement your research plan.

Second year (PhD)

You'll continue with your PhD.

Third year (PhD)

You'll continue with your PhD or submit your thesis.

Programme regulations at LSE

For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page .

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our  updated graduate course and programme information page .

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

Formed in 1990, our department provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.

We’re proud of LSE’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world for development studies. Our academics and researchers explore the causes of poverty, social exclusion, economic stagnation, humanitarian crises and human security. We look at why and how some late developing countries have succeeded in overcoming these problems while others have not or have seen their progress derailed by disasters and conflicts.

Currently, we offer six taught MSc programmes and a stimulating research programme – with research projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Teaching staff, who have considerable experience living and working in the developing world, engage in policy-relevant research and consultancy with international development agencies and non-government organisations. Research within the department spans several broad themes .

Our study programmes attract talented students from all over the world. Graduates find rewarding careers in a wide variety of government, non-government, UN, academic and private-sector organisations.

Department of International Development

University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK

1st in london for the 13th year running, 6th in the world.

Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your application, when to apply.

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of our staff at LSE. For this reason, we recommend that you take a look at our  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
• statement of academic purpose
• outline research proposal
• sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents .

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements .

Your research proposal for the MRes/PhD International Development should be approximately 1,500 - 2,000 words. It should have a descriptive title to enable us to identify the broad theme of the project. You'll also be prompted to complete the box for programme specific information, when filling out the online application form. You must include the following under programme specific information:

• the title of your research proposal
• a short summary of your research proposal
• the name of your proposed supervisor(s) in the department (this doesn't mean you need to have made contact with supervisors or obtained their approval in advance, it simply helps us when assessing your application).

If any of this information is missing or incomplete, it may delay consideration of your application.

Please note that students may apply to study part-time after successful completion of first year.

The application deadline for this programme is 18 December 2024 .

If you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by this application and funding deadline.

See the fees and funding section below for more details.

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home student fee (2025/26)

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.

Learn more about fee status classification .

Overseas student fee (2025/26)

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, four per cent each year).

At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student (known as your fee status). We assess your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department for Education.

Further information about fee status classification .

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

We recognise that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generous scholarships to help both home and overseas students.

For this programme, students can apply for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . To be considered, you’ll need to submit your application (and any supporting documents) before the funding deadline.

Funding deadlines

Deadline for the LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 18 December 2024 .

In addition to our needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for certain subjects .

LSE ID Project Studentships

The Department of International Development occasionally offers PhD studentships focused on specific projects or skills. Starting in September 2025, the LSE ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Collaborative Studentship is available for the project Refugees and Poverty: Understanding the Role of Aid Programmes . This studentship involves a partnership between LSE and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Find out more about the LSE ID Project Studentships

External funding

Additional funding opportunities may be available through other organisations or governments. We strongly recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Learn more about fees and funding , including external funding opportunities.

Learning and assessment

How you learn, how you're assessed, learning support.

You'll learn and develop your research through a combination of structured courses and training (particularly during the MRes year, but also beyond), and independent exploration. Your progress will be assessed via assignments in certain courses, and through a formal Annual Review process. You'll also get regular feedback and guidance from your supervisor(s), and by presenting your work informally at seminars and at conferences.

Supervision

You'll be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

At the end of the first year you'll complete the assessments for your courses and finalise your Research Prospectus, the provisional research plan for your PhD. If you achieve the required marks in your Research Prospectus and other assessments, as outlined in the progression requirements, you'll be upgraded to the PhD part of the programme.

Your final award of the PhD will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about progression requirements.

Graduate destinations

Career support, median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:, top 5 sectors our students work in:.

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.

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Best Development Economics Programs

Ranked in 2022, part of Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools

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Development economists are concerned with the state of low-income countries and citizens. They may work in research and policy analysis for government agencies and nonprofits. These are the top graduate schools for development economics. Read the methodology »

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Ph.D. in Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance

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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance (SDPEG) Ph.D. program offers a transdisciplinary doctoral education in the policies, practices and theories of sustainable development. By offering a core curriculum that includes applied policy and economic analysis, governance and process design, social science methods, and professional skills development, the program produces graduates capable of conducting original, applied research that is designed to support sustainability and resiliency across social, ecological, and technical systems. 

This degree will prepare students to assume positions as policy leaders in government, higher education, public and private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, and research institutes with the expertise and vision to inform local, state, national, and international policy.  

Asim Zia, Director and Professor of Public Policy and Computer Science

Travis Reynolds, Associate Professor

Dan Tobin, Associate Professor

Trisha Shrum, Assistant Professor

David Conner, Professor

Josh Farley, Professor

Sarah Heiss, Associate Professor

Qingbin Wang, Professor

Anaka Aiyar, Assistant Professor

Joe Ament, Assistant Professor

Kate Mays, Assistant Professor

Benjamin Dangl, Lecturer

Edward McMahon, Adjunct Associate Professor

Pablo Bose, Professor

Stephanie Seguino, Professor Emerita

Gregory Rowangould, Associate Professor

Donna Ramirez-Harrington, Associate Professor

Brian Beckage, Professor

Elizabeth Doran, Research Assistant Professor

Jane Kolodinsky, Professor Emerita

Christopher Koliba, Professor Emeritus

Kelsey Gleason, Assistant Professor

Dana Rowangould, Assistant Professor

Degree Requirements

Milestones, guidelines and timeline to degree completion.

Minimum Degree Requirements

The degree requires a total of 75 credits. A minimum of 51 credits must be completed in residence. The residency requirement is completed by courses that:

1. are taken for graduate credit through the University of Vermont, and

2. are taken after the student has been admitted to the Graduate College.

The program’s course of study includes: 

1. 15-credit core 2. Up to 24 transfer credits from prior master’s degree (12 out of 24 transferable credits must meet pre-requisite requirements in statistical methods, research methodology, economics, and policy process theory) 3. 15 credits of a pre-approved Certificate of Graduate Study or a customized sequence of advisor-approved graduate level elective courses 4. 21 dissertation research credits

15 credit core includes:

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Students will advance to candidacy following completion of the core curriculum, passage of a written and oral comprehensive exam, passage of the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense exam, and acquisition of teaching experience in the field of sustainable development policy, economics and governance. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.

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Admissions Information

Applications for fall 2025 are due January 15, 2025 and will be reviewed after that date.

Admission will be contingent upon funding and alignment of research interests with faculty that are accepting students.

Application can be accessed here .

Admissions Requirements:

• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, natural resources, engineering, ecology, food systems, political science or a closely related field, including social sciences, professional fields, and STEM
• Completion of graduate level course in statistical methods (can be completed as part of Ph.D.)
• Completion of graduate level course in research methodology (can be completed as part of Ph.D.)
• Completion of graduate level course in economics (can be completed as part of Ph.D.)
• Completion of graduate level course in policy process theory (can be completed as part of Ph.D.)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
• In the application Statement of Purpose, please identify 1 to 2 potential advisers from the SDPEG faculty list.
• Applicants must submit evidence of experience and success in the research process such as writing sample(s), and/or evidence of research experience(s) (e.g., theses, term papers, class projects, research reports and/or other descriptions of past research experience from academic or professional lives).
• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional.
• For international students whose native language is not English or who have not completed undergraduate or master’s degrees in English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo must be submitted.

Doctor of Economic Development (DED)

Application for fall 2024 ded program admission (for first consideration) will be open between december 01, 2023 and january 15, 2024..

NMSU is the first university in the country to offer this program. The Doctor of Economic Development (DED) is a professional degree primarily intended to provide advanced applied training for economic development professionals (rather than academic economists), and can be seen as the link between academic research in economic development and real world economic development problems.

Economic development is a complex process. Its study and practice draws on a wide variety of academic knowledge and experience. DED graduates will be prepared to navigate the world between the theoretical and analytical world of academic economics and the very practical problems of economic development at all levels. Recognizing the diversity of subjects and experience and knowledge useful to economic developers, DED students will enter the program from a variety of backgrounds. All DED students share a common core of training in economics and economic development followed by the opportunity to select elective courses and specialties reflecting their particular interests and goals. All graduates complete an internship and a major written research project.

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Admissions Information

Course Requirements

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DED Brief History

DED Students

Contact Information

DED Director/Coordinator:  Winnie Lee Email: [email protected] Phone Number:   (575)-646-4662

Application Deadline

Admission is competitive and space in the program is limited. Unfortunately, in some cases this will mean that qualified applicants are not admitted to the program. Qualified applicants who are not admitted may reapply. Note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. In some cases an interview with the DED Admissions Committee will be required. Applicants should understand that this is not a distance education program.

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New Mexico State University Agricultural Economics & Agricultural Business

Doctor of economic development (ded).

The Doctor of Economic Development (DED) is a professional doctorate offered jointly by the Department of Economics, Applied Statistics & International Business in the College of Business and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business (AEAB) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

This doctoral degree program is primarily intended to provide advanced training for economic development professionals rather than academic economists. In a sense, the Doctor of Economic Development can be seen as the link between academic research in economic development and "real world" economic development problems.

Degree Requirements

Please visit the DED Program page for more information about this degree.

• DED Degree Requirements - NMSU Catalog

Students interested in pursuing this program should contact Dr. J. Michael Patrick , the DED Program Director .

Office: Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 343 Office phone: (575)646-5682 Cell phone: (575)202-4253 Fax: (575)646-3808 E-mail: [email protected]

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