The authors update prior analyses of the undergraduate origins of individuals who earn a PhD in economics in the United States. They include the list of the top institutions worldwide graduating the largest number of undergraduates who subsequently earn an economics PhD from a U.S. university and lists of American institutions with the largest…

The second edition of the "Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics" was published by the Council for Economic Education in 2010. The authors examine the process for revising these precollege content standards and highlight several changes that appear in the new document. They also review the impact the standards have had on precollege…

In this article, the authors summarize their 15 years of research on graduate education in economics in the United States. They examine all stages of the process, from the undergraduate origins of eventual economics PhDs to their attrition and time-to-degree outcomes. For PhD completers, the authors examine job market outcomes, research…

This essay describes methodological approaches and pitfalls common to studies of the economic impact of colleges and universities. Such studies often claim local benefits that imply annualized rates of return on local investment exceeding 100 percent. We address problems in these studies pertaining to the specification of the counterfactual, the…

Examines the trend in undergraduate economics degrees from 1991 to 2002. Finds a renewed interest in studying economics after a serious decline in the early 1990s. States that the large flagship public universities have joined this renewal. Defines the sample used as opportunistic rather than random. (JEH)

Describes the aim of the American Economic Association (AEA) to educate the public about economic questions and economic literature. Discusses conferences, publications, and the work of the AEA in developing economics, statistics, and reasoning as important parts of a general curriculum. Includes information on teacher training programs, advanced…

Attributes the nation's loss in economics majors in the early 1990s to a 24 percent decline at public universities. Indicates the latest data suggest that number of undergraduate economics degrees awarded by U.S. colleges and universities is increasing. Uses data from the National Center for Education Statistics to report findings. (JEH)

Outlines principles that guide a successful undergraduate economics honors program: simplicity, accessibility, skill development, risk minimization, and incentives to combat procrastination. Describes a model which specifies three of the usual six electives and requires a senior thesis that makes an original contribution to economics…

Using the American Economic Association's fFall 1998 universal academic questionnaire, examines how many college and university students in the United States enroll in at least one economics course. Reports that 40 percent of the students who matriculated in fall 1998 took at least one economics course. (CMK)

Examines trends in undergraduate economics degrees awarded in U.S. colleges and universities in 1998-99. Reports there seems to be a recovery in the number of economic degrees awarded, stating that the recovery started in 1996-97 and has since persisted. (CMK)

A discussion of student learning and reactions to PSI, its effects on performance in higher level economics, its impact on student proctors in terms of their learning of economics, and costs of establishing and maintaining a PSI course. (AV)

Reports on a study of the number of four-year Bachelor's degrees awarded in economics in 1993-94. Finds that the number of undergraduate degrees in economics continues to decline. Presents three tables of statistical data and discusses possible reasons for this decline. (CFR)

Notes the trend of declining enrollments in undergraduate economic programs in the United States and discusses its impact. Although similar enrollment drops have occurred twice since World War II, this one arrives at a time of academic budget-cutting and a "soft" market for Ph.Ds. Includes statistics and tabular data. (MJP)

The elapsed time taken to earn a Ph.D. in economics is analyzed with data from 620 (of about 950) 1996-1997 Ph.D.s. The median is 5.3 years. A duration model indicates that those students at several of the most highly regarded programs, those supported by no-work fellowships, and those holding a prior master's degree finish faster than others.…

A study of the time it took 618 students to earn Ph.D.s in economics found that those with fellowships or prior master's degrees finished faster. Those who took jobs before completion and women with children took longer. No differences appeared in relation to marital status, gender, age, and program size. (Author/SK)