Vanderbilt University

What you'll study

The PhD programme builds deep theoretical and empirical foundations in economics before allowing specialisation in environmental and resource economics. Core graduate training typically covers advanced microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics, followed by field courses and seminars in environmental economics and public economics.

• Core coursework: advanced microeconomics, advanced econometrics, dynamic models, and optimisation techniques.
• Environmental and resource specialisation: topics such as externalities and market failures, valuation of environmental goods, natural resource management, climate change economics, pollution control policies, renewable resource dynamics, and environmental regulation.
• Empirical methods: causal inference, panel data, programme evaluation, spatial econometrics, and applied microeconometrics relevant to environmental data.
• Seminars and research workshops: departmental and interdepartmental seminars where students present working papers, engage with visiting researchers, and receive feedback on dissertation work.
• Teaching and professional development: opportunities to teach undergraduate courses, attend pedagogy workshops, and receive training in grant writing and data management.
• Doctoral dissertation: original research under faculty supervision, often involving econometric analysis of environmental policy, valuation studies, or modelling of natural resource systems.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and aimed at applicants with a strong quantitative and analytical background. Typical successful applicants hold a bachelor's degree with high standing, often complemented by a master's degree in economics or a closely related field.

• Academic preparation: undergraduate or graduate coursework in calculus, linear algebra, real analysis or mathematical economics, probability and statistics, and introductory econometrics.
• Research potential: evidence of quantitative research ability through prior research, a master’s thesis, relevant coursework, or strong quantitative work experience.
• Application materials: academic transcripts, a well‑written statement of purpose outlining research interests in environmental economics and policy, a curriculum vitae, and multiple academic letters of recommendation.
• English proficiency: for applicants whose first language is not English, an English language test score may be required where applicable.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme are prepared for a range of careers that require advanced training in economic analysis of environmental and resource issues. Typical career paths include:

• Research and faculty positions in universities and colleges, conducting teaching and academic research in environmental economics and related fields.
• Analytical and advisory roles in national and subnational government agencies involved in environmental regulation, natural resource management, and climate policy.
• Positions in international organisations and development banks that design and evaluate environmental and sustainability programmes.
• Research economist or policy analyst roles in think tanks, non‑governmental organisations, and advocacy groups focused on environmental policy, conservation, and climate adaptation.
• Consulting and data‑analytic roles in private sector firms working on environmental risk, resource management, and sustainability strategy.

Why study at Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt offers rigorous doctoral training within a department that emphasises both theoretical foundations and applied empirical work. The university fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with centres and institutes that focus on energy, environment and public policy, providing access to diverse datasets and policy networks.

• Interdisciplinary environment: opportunities to collaborate with researchers in environmental engineering, public policy, law and public health to address complex environmental problems from multiple perspectives.
• Research support: faculty mentorship, seminar series, and research centres that facilitate fieldwork, data access and applied policy engagement.
• Location and networks: based in Nashville, the university connects students to regional and national policy communities and offers a supportive academic environment with resources for professional development.