Rice University

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines core graduate training in economic theory and econometrics with advanced field courses and supervised research in topics related to the environment, natural resources and energy. Early years emphasise microeconomic theory, macroeconomics and methods (including real analysis, probability and econometric techniques), followed by specialised coursework and seminars in environmental and resource economics.

• Core topics: microeconomic theory, econometrics, dynamic optimisation and general equilibrium as applicable to resource allocation and policy design.
• Environmental and field courses: environmental and natural-resource economics, energy economics, climate-change economics, public economics for environmental policy, valuation methods, cost–benefit analysis and policy evaluation.
• Methods and tools: applied econometrics for program and policy evaluation, time-series and panel methods for environmental data, spatial econometrics, and computational methods for modelling resource systems.
• Research and dissertation: supervised independent research leading to an original dissertation on a topic such as climate policy, emissions regulation, energy markets, ecosystem services valuation or water and land-use economics.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: electives and collaborations with university centres and initiatives covering energy, environment and urban studies; opportunities for fieldwork, lab or policy-engagement projects.

Entry requirements

Admission is selective and intended for applicants with a strong quantitative background and demonstrated potential for research. Typical elements of a competitive application include:

• Academic preparation: an undergraduate or master’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, engineering or a related quantitative discipline with coursework in calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics. Prior exposure to undergraduate or graduate economics and econometrics is desirable.
• Research potential: evidence of research ability via a senior thesis, master’s dissertation, research assistantship, or relevant publications or working papers.
• Application materials: a statement of purpose describing research interests in environmental economics and policy, a curriculum vitae, official transcripts and several strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• Technical skills: familiarity with statistical software and programming (for example R, Python, Stata, or MATLAB) is expected.
• Standardised tests and language: requirements for standardised tests or English-language proof vary; applicants should consult the department’s admissions page for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates with a PhD focused on environmental economics and policy pursue a variety of careers that apply rigorous economic analysis to environmental and energy challenges. Common pathways include:

• Academic careers: tenure-track positions and postdoctoral research in economics, environmental studies or public policy departments.
• Public sector and international organisations: economist or policy analyst roles in government agencies, multilateral development banks and international bodies working on climate, energy and environmental regulation.
• Think tanks and NGOs: research and policy roles at policy institutes, environmental NGOs and advocacy organisations.
• Private sector: economic consulting, energy and environmental risk analysis, regulatory affairs in utilities and energy firms, and sustainability strategy roles in industry.
• Research institutions: positions in applied research labs, data centres and interdisciplinary environmental research centres.

Why study at Rice University

Rice offers a close-knit doctoral environment with faculty who work on energy, environmental and resource economics and strong interdisciplinary links across the university. Students benefit from access to applied research centres and policy institutes that foster engagement with real-world energy and environmental issues.

• Faculty and research strengths: access to faculty with expertise in environmental and energy economics and active seminar series and working-paper culture.
• Interdisciplinary centres: opportunities to collaborate with campus initiatives and policy centres that focus on energy, environment and urban issues, enhancing applied and policy-relevant research.
• Location and partnerships: proximity to a major energy and industrial region provides opportunities for empirical projects, industry engagement and policy outreach.
• Individualised mentoring: a doctoral programme structure that emphasises close supervision, early research engagement and professional development for academic and non-academic careers.