For those opting to take the Qualifying Exams (QEs)

Path to M.A.

October of the 1st year

• The advisor of each student is chosen by the department. The student shall download, fill out, and submit the questionnaire on his/her interests and preferred approach by .
• The student choosing this option must complete 36 credits, including 8 credits of Seminars (Ⅰa & Ⅰb and Ⅱa & Ⅱb). The student decides which courses to take according to the guidance of the advisor. The student must submit the course registration application form to the Graduate School Affairs Office, and register for courses using the Educational Affairs Information System during the period.

November of the 1st year

Students must consult their advisors and elect the QE option by .

February of the 2nd year

QEs will be offered twice a year, and are generally taken in the student’s third semester, i.e. February of their second year. The QEs will be offered again in July in the same year. In the event a student fails one or more QEs, they can retake them again the next time they are offered.

• For Path A students, they must successfully pass three QEs, one in Micro, a second in Macro, and a third in Statistics/Econometrics.
• For Path B students, they must pass one QE in the field of Comparative Economics.

Spring semester of the 2nd year

After passing their QEs, students must write and submit a “term paper” or a Ph.D. thesis proposal under their advisor’s supervision.

July of the 2nd year

• The student who has passed the required QEs by February of the second year submits a term paper or a Ph.D. thesis proposal in June of the 2nd year.
• The student who has not passed the required QEs by February of the 2nd year and retakes them in July of the same year must be prepared to submit a term paper or a Ph.D thesis proposal also in July, immediately after passing the QEs, to complete the Program in September of the same year.
• A committee of three persons will be formed which is comprised of the main advisor and two other members of the Economics faculty. They will assess the “term paper” or the Ph.D. thesis proposal and give the student an oral exam in July of the second year.

Conditions for Submitting a Term Paper or a Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal

Only those students who pass the required QEs can submit a term paper or a Ph.D. thesis proposal.

Admission to the International Ph.D. Program

For those wishing to go on to the PhD program later, the Advanced QE is required. The Advanced QEs are offered at the same time as QEs are offered.

• The Path A student must take and pass one of three Advanced QE (also in Micro, Macro, or Statistics/Econometrics) and submit a “term paper” or a Ph.D. proposal.
• The Path B student must take and pass one QE in the field of Comparative Economics and submit a “term paper” or a Ph.D. proposal.

Conditions for Taking the QEs and Advanced QE in the First Year

• The Path A students can take the QEs and Advanced QE in July of the first year if their course grades in Microeconomics Ⅰ , and Statistics Ⅰ are all “S”s and if their midterm performance in Microeconomics Ⅱ Statistics Ⅱ , as reported by the course instructors to the student’s advisor, are all “S”s.
• The Path B students can take the QE and Advanced QE in July of the first year if they receive permission from their advisor.