This posting provides the menu of subject choices for the general examination to be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy in economics at Columbia as of 1916. We see that the history of economics and economic theory were still joined at the hip and that economic history was a compulsory field. Also interesting to note: the optional field “The labor problem” included “Socialism”; two graduate courses in another social science or philosophy were required as was an ability to read at least one of French and German plus one additional language.
To denote insertions in pencil, I have used bold-italics within square brackets. For text to be cut, I have included the original text, crossed-out.
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[p. 410]
May 25, 1916
[…]
Professor Seligman, on behalf of the Committee on Instruction, recommended that the Faculty approve of the regulations governing admission to candidacy and the final examination for the doctorate of Philosophy as proposed by the various departments giving work under the jurisdiction of the Faculty of Political Science. This recommendation was adopted by the Faculty. The regulations of the several departments are as follows:
[…]
[p. 413]
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY FOR THE DOCTORATE OF PHILSOPHY
Each [The] applicant for matriculation as a candidate for the degree of Ph.D. whose subject of major interest lies in the field of Economics must satisfy the Department
- That he is qualified in the general principles of Economics as taught in Columbia College or a full equivalent thereof.
- That he is qualified in such advanced or graduate work in the general field of Economics as is represented by approximately six full graduate courses in Columbia University or the equivalent thereof.
- That he is qualified in two full graduate courses as given at Columbia or the equivalent thereof under one of the following Departments:
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Politics |
Psychology |
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Public Law |
Anthropology |
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History |
Sociology |
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Philosophy |
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- That he is able to read French and German and to use these languages in seminar work and in research. In the discretion of the Department another language may be substituted for French or German.
- That he is able to express himself in correctly written English.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION
Every student [The candidate] presenting himself for the degree of Ph.D. under the Department of Economics will be examined in the following three topics:
1) The history and theory of Economics
2) Statistics
3) Economic History
He will also be expected to present for examination four out of the following eight topics:
1) Public finance
2) Money and banking
3) The labor problem (including Socialism)
[p. 414]
4) Trade and transportation
5) Corporations and trusts
6) Business economics, including accounting, business organization and allied topics
7) Insurance
8) Agriculture
He will also be examined in such cognate fields as are intimately related to the special topic of his dissertation.
Source: Columbia University Archives. Minutes of The Faculty of Political Science, May 25, 1916.
Image Source: Museum of the City of New York. Kent Hall, Columbia University (1910). McKim, Mead & White.