The following item provides some granular information about the hurdles between an economics graduate student and the award of a Ph.D. from Columbia University as of 1954-55. It is interesting to see that economic history was still one of the three required fields, that knowledge of mathematics through basic differential and integral calculus was regarded sufficient as a substitute for either German or French reading ability. What I found most interesting is the list of fields: socialism and the economic organization of Soviet Russia were two distinct fields; mathematical economics was distinct from economic theory; and what sort of field was “Prices” anyway? I would also be curious to see which fields outside of economics were included as minor subjects, as well as the frequency of extra-economic subjects.
Columbia Ph.D. regulations for 1916.
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Doctor of Philosophy
Columbia economics regulations, 1954-55
The degree of Master of Arts is not a prerequisite to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Candidates may find it desirable, however, to endeavor to satisfy the requirements for the A.M. degree in the course of their preparation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Qualifying Examination. — As early as possible in his graduate residence, the student shall notify the Executive Officer of his intention to become a candidate for the Ph.D. degree in economics and choose his subjects in consultation with the Executive Officer. A written examination, intended for students who have thus indicated their intention, will be given January 8, 1955, and again on May 7, 1955. This examination must be taken before the student may register for more than thirty points of course credit for graduate work. (Students requesting credit for fifteen or more points for graduate courses completed at other institutions must take the examination before registering for more than forty-five points of course credit, including those points for which they request credit from another university.) Upon passing this examination a student is classed as a prospective candidate.
The department may deny registration privileges to students who have completed graduate courses aggregating thirty or more points of course credit who have not passed the Qualifying Examination and will deny registration privileges to students who have completed graduate courses aggregating forty-five points of course credit but who have not passed this examination.
Languages: Option in Mathematics. — The prospective candidate must satisfy the Department of Economics that he can read French and German. Other languages (but not two Romance languages) may be substituted, with the permission of the Executive Officer, if they are of special value to the candidate’s scholarly interests. Mathematics may also be substituted for one language with the permission of the Executive Officer. A student selecting this option will be required to demonstrate his knowledge of algebra, analytical geometry, and differential and integral calculus.
The student must pass the test in at least one of the languages or in mathematics before registering for courses which will bring the total of the graduate work which is recorded for him as credit toward the doctorate, including work done both at Columbia and elsewhere, to more than thirty points. (A student who has requested graduate credit at Columbia for thirty points of work done elsewhere must pass at least one of these tests prior to his initial registration at Columbia for work leading to the doctorate.) The second test, either in a language or in mathematics, must be passed before the student may register for more than forty-five points of course credit (including points credited from another university). The examinations in languages and in mathematics will be held on the following dates Monday, September 20, 1954, from 10 to 12; Thursday, January 20, 1955, from 2 to 4; Friday, May 6, 1955, from 10 to 12. Students are required to register their intention to take such an examination with the secretary of the Department of Economics at least one week prior to the date of the examination.
Certification of Candidacy. — The Executive Officer will recommend that the Dean certify a candidate for the Ph.D. degree when the candidate has completed not less than one year of graduate residence, has met Departmental language requirements and has passed the Qualifying Examination. Certification constitutes formal admission to candidacy for the degree.
Examination on Subjects: Scope. — The candidate must give satisfactory evidence of his grasp of six of the subjects indicated below. Three of these subjects must be economic theory, economic history, and statistics. Four of the subjects (including economic theory) are considered the student’s field of primary interest; the remaining two are considered his field of secondary interest. The procedure for meeting this requirement consists of an oral examination in the four subjects of primary interest and prior proof of competence in the two fields of secondary interest.
Examination on Subjects: Secondary. — Before making formal application for the examination, the candidate must satisfy the appropriate professors of economics in the Faculty of Political Science that he has done work which is adequate both in scope and quality in the two subjects of secondary interest. This requirement may be met in a manner satisfactory to the professors concerned. All such proofs of competence lapse after five years from their date but may be renewed after further examination.
Examination on Subjects: Oral Examination.—The candidate who has fulfilled the preliminary requirements may make application, through the Executive Officer of the Department, to the Dean for the oral examination on subjects. This oral examination is conducted by a committee of the Faculty appointed by the Dean. It will be on subjects not on courses.
When the candidate applies for his examination on subjects he must submit a memorandum outlining his dissertation project, analyzing it with respect to source material and the research techniques required. This memorandum must be approved by the sponsor of the dissertation and by the Executive Officer before the candidate may be admitted to the oral examination.
The subjects are as follows:
| 1. Accounting | 11. Monetary Economics |
| 2. Business cycles | 12. Prices |
| 3. Corporation and investment finance | 13. Public finance |
| 4. Economic geography | 14. Public utilities (including transportation) |
| 5. Economic history (required) | 15. Socialism |
| 6. Economic theory (required) | 16. Statistics (required) |
| 7. Industrial organization and control | 17. Types of national economic organization* |
| 8. International trade and finance | 18. Economic organization of Soviet Russia* |
| 9. Labor problems and industrial relations | 19. Any other subject approved by the Executive Officer of the Department |
| 10. Mathematical economics |
*The candidate may offer either 17 or 18 but not both these fields.
Economic theory and any subject or subjects approved under item 19 on the above list must be included among the four subjects presented for oral examination. The Executive Officer of the Department should be consulted before making a choice of emphasis in preparation for examination.
It is the policy of the Department of Economics to encourage candidates to devote part of their effort to studies outside the Department. The candidate’s field of secondary interest, to the extent of the equivalent of two of his six subjects, may fall in one of the departments under the Faculty of Political Science, or in philosophy, psychology, or another discipline dealing with matters germane to the student’s scholarly interests. A candidate proposing to offer a field lying outside the Department must obtain the approval of the Executive Officer of the Department in advance.
Dissertation. — Investigations and researches for the dissertation may be pursued either in connection with the work of some research course or under the direction and supervision of some member of the Faculty of Political Science independently of any course. Students working on dissertations must keep their sponsors informed of the status of their work.
It is desirable that a substantial start be made on the dissertation while the student is still in residence. If a candidate works on his dissertation in absentia an annual written report of progress will be required.
If more than five years have elapsed between the date when the candidate has successfully passed the Examination on Subjects and the date of his application for the Final Examination in defense of the dissertation, the candidate will be regarded as having abandoned his proposed dissertation topic unless he makes a written request for an extension of time and obtains the written approval of the sponsor of the dissertation and of the Executive Officer.
Final Examination: Defense of the Dissertation. — The candidate may apply to the Dean for the defense of his dissertation only after having obtained the approval of the sponsor and of the Executive Officer. The candidate will defend his dissertation in respect to its content, the sources upon which it is based, the interpretations that are made, and the conclusions that are drawn, as well as demonstrate his acquaintance with the literature and available sources of information upon subjects that are cognate to the subject of his dissertation.
Minor in Economics. — Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in other departments who propose to offer a minor in economics will be required to offer two of the subjects listed [above in] this Announcement. One of the subjects must be economic theory. Such candidates should consult the Executive Officer of the Department of Economics at the earliest possible point in their graduate work.
Minor in Economic History. — Candidates in other departments offering a minor in economic history will be required to show a knowledge of the economic history of two major regions.
Source. Columbia University. Announcement of the Faculty of Political Science for the Winter and Spring Sessions 1954-1955. Bulletin of Information. 54th Series, No. 23 (June 19, 1954), pp. 31-33.
Image Source: Rare Book Division, The New York Public Library. “Broad Exchange [historic place on 25 Broad Street], New York, N.Y.; Columbia University [Fayerweather Hall], New York, N.Y.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 8, 2019.