1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1.1. General Requirements

The Ph.D. Program is not a part-time program. Courses are offered during daytime. Applicants for the Ph.D. program should have a graduate degree in economics from an accredited institution, a satisfactory ALES score and a good command of English.

A completed application package should include the following:

a) A personal letter written by the applicant specifying the reasons for applying to the Ph.D. program.

b) At least two reference letters.

c) A Masters diploma in economics with a GPA 3.00/4.00 (or 75/100) or above.

d) Official transcripts and academic records. Applicants with degrees from foreign universities are required to get their accreditation certified by the Higher Education Administration (YÖK).

e) ALES score: 70 or above in equally weighted area, taken within the last 2 years.

f) English proficiency: applicants must possess the aptitude and English skills to complete the graduate program. Such skills can be demonstrated by receiving 70/100 or above in the English proficiency exam administered by Yeditepe University. Students who have already taken TOEFL and received 550/213 or above (paper based/computer based), or have taken 6.5 or above in IELTS, or 50 or above in YDS will be exempt from the English proficiency exam administered by Yeditepe University. Applicants who cannot satisfy the English language requirements may be admitted (provided that they satisfy the other requirements), but they will be required to attend and complete the English Preparation Program administered by the university.

g) A resume outlining the applicants academic background and work experience.

Applicants satisfying the above requirements will then be invited for an oral examination/interview by the Economics Department.

1.2. Transfer Credits

Graduate level credits received from other universities accredited by the Higher Education Administration (YÖK) may be transferred. For consideration the grade to be transferred should not be lower than a BB (80/100) and the course must be taken not more than three calendar years prior to the admission to the Ph.D. program. Such transfers cannot be more than 25% of the credits required by the program.

After completing the M.A. program in Economics at Yeditepe University or any another university accredited by the Higher Education Administration (YÖK), transferring to the Ph.D. Program is possible, provided that the student complies with the Ph.D. admission requirements.

1.3. Application Deadlines

The Ph.D. Program considers applications for the Fall and Spring Semesters. Applications should be made well ahead of time. Decisions for the Fall Term will be made by the end of May and for the Spring Term by the end of September. All application materials specified above should be submitted before the candidate is considered for admission.

2. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Ph.D. in economics requires:

a) Successful completion of 27 credits.

b) Successful completion of the core and field requirements, electives and readings in economics (that is, passing the courses with at least a BB).

Core Requirements: Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (Econ. 600), Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis (Econ. 610), Statistics (Econ. 635) and Econometrics (Econ. 636), History and Methodology of Economic Analysis (Econ. 690), Economic Policies in Turkey (Econ. 655).

Field Requirements: Students then specify two fields (from the list shown in Part IV) and take at least two courses from each field specified. Other electives are at the discretion of the student and can be chosen from any field.

Electives in Economics: Students can choose any course (shown in the list in Part V) to fulfill  their electives and readings in economics requirement, provided that the course chosen has a course number 600 and above.  Readings in Economics: After specifying their fields, students must take two guided reading courses, one in each field chosen. In these courses, the student works closely with a faculty member and reads the classics of the field chosen.

c) Proficiency Exam: Demonstrating a level of competence in economic analysis by passing written and oral proficiency exams at the end of the second year. These exams should not be treated as final exams, covering the topics discussed in courses. Their aim is to assess the level of economic competence of the Ph.D. candidates. Students have to demonstrate in writing and orally that they have the basic economic tools and reasoning.

d) Preparing a dissertation proposal and presenting a seminar to the department on the subject.

e) Submitting and orally defending a doctoral dissertation that represents a contribution to economics.