Getting a PhD in EconomicsConsidering a graduate degree in economics? Good choice: the twenty first century financial crisis and recession have underscored the relevance of experts who know how the economy works, should work, and could work. However, Ph. D. programs in economics are extremely competitive, with a high rate of attrition and a median time of seven years to completion. Also, economic professions come in many shapes and sizes, and while a doctoral degree is crucial