Business Economics
In this program, students specialize in fields such as behavioral economics, development economics, econometrics, economic history, financial economics, industrial organization, international economics, organizational economics, labor economics, macroeconomics, political economics, public economics, and economic theory.
Students will receive the comprehensive training of a PhD in economics along with the opportunity to focus on business-related research questions. Using this training, students will delve into some of the most pressing and relevant topics in the field of economics through the practical lens of business.
The majority of graduates have gone on to secure faculty positions at such prestigious institutions as Brown University, INSEAD, London School of Economics and Political Science, MIT, Northwestern University, Stanford University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Toronto. Others have gone on to careers in organizations such as the Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Trade Commission, Cornerstone Research, and NERA.
Students in business economics are enrolled in and receive their degree from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) and work with faculty from both the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and Harvard Business School (HBS). Harvard Griffin GSAS has offered PhD programs in collaboration with HBS since 1916. In addition to Business Economics, Harvard Griffin GSAS and HBS collaborate on the programs in business administration (including Accounting and Management, Marketing, Strategy, and Technology and Operations Management), Organizational Behavior, and Health Policy (Management Track).
For more detailed information about the program, including information about financial support and student profiles, please visit the Harvard Business School Doctoral Programs website.
Admissions Requirements
Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Harvard Business School Doctoral Programs website.
Standardized Tests
GRE General or GMAT: Required
iBT TOEFL preferred minimum score: 100
IELTS preferred minimum score: 7.5
Writing Sample
Writing sample is optional but highly recommended. It should largely be your own work and you should be prepared to discuss the content and your contributions. It should be no more than 10 pages of text, plus references.
Fall Grades
Fall term grades should be sent when available if attending school while applying to the program (prospective students may add this information to the Fall Grade Report, available in the Applicant Portal, after they have submitted their application).
JD/PhD
For the coordinated JD/PhD, applicants must apply separately to each program and indicate in the application to the PhD Program in Business Economics that a concurrent application has been submitted to Harvard Law School.