Program History
The Ph.D. program in economics at MTSU is not new; instead, it was converted from our pre-existing Doctor of Arts (D.A.) program. MTSU's D.A. program in economics was established in 1980, and, between 1980 and its 2002-2003 phaseout, 30 D.A. students graduated with the degree. The D.A. program specifically prepared its students to teach economics at the college/university level. D.A. graduates later went on to become faculty and/or deans at academic institutions including Athens State College, Augustana University College, Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, Bryan College, Clarke College, Cumberland University, David Lipscomb University, Lee University, University of Maryland University College (Tokyo, Japan), Meharry Medical College, Motlow State Community College, and Troy State University (Dothan, Alabama).
The Ph.D. program in economics, first introduced in 2002-2003, seeks to build on the strengths of the D.A. program but with an additional emphasis on economic research and applied economic analysis.