Program Overview

The MACRM program is designed for those who want to become professional policy researchers or position themselves to pursue PhDs at top-tier institutions and provides an interconnected, intellectual experience.

This degree is an excellent choice for candidates who have strong quantitative backgrounds with exposure to mathematical probability and statistics, multivariate calculus, and matrix algebra.

On this page:

• Curriculum
• Schedule
• Graduation Requirements

Curriculum

What to expect

During the two-year program, students enroll in PhD core courses focusing on economic theory, game theory, advanced statistics/econometrics, political economy, and quantitative modeling in addition to the policy courses available in your area of interest.

Core courses

• Game Theory (PPHA 41501)
• Applied Econometrics I (PPHA 42000)
• Applied Econometrics II (PPHA 42100)
• Applied Econometrics III (PPHA 42200)
• Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis I (PPHA 44100)
• Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis II (PPHA 44200)
• MACRM Apprenticeship (PPHA 52500) 
  • 5 quarters, 500 units of credit total*
• Research Methods

*Students may take the MACRM Apprenticeship as an unenrolled course and take an additional elective with approval

Research apprenticeship

Students must complete a five-quarter research apprenticeship with a faculty member, working 10 hours per week as a research assistant while developing ideas for a research paper to be written in your final quarters.

Learn more about the research apprenticeship requirement.

What you'll gain

• Competency in research methods, economic theory, game theory, advanced econometrics, and quantitative modeling
• Hands-on research experience with faculty from various departments at UChicago
• Strong research writing and analysis skills

Schedule

A sample schedule of the MACRM program:

Students receive more information about the MACRM apprenticeship in the first quarter.

MACRM students are required to submit a final research paper.

Research Apprenticeship is an enrolled course beginning in the Winter Quarter.  Students may take the Research Apprenticeship as an unenrolled course and take an additional elective with approval.

Second year curriculum will consist of electives so long as each student fulfills an area of focus (3 courses) in at least one the following areas of specialization for Harris doctoral students: Education Policy, Inequality, Economic and Social Policy, Health Policy, Energy and Environment, International Policy and Development.

Graduation Requirements

• Completion of 18 graduate-level courses, including seven (7) core courses and five (5) apprenticeship courses, not including any courses of F, I, or W, or courses with no reported grade
• Completion of a minimum of seven Harris courses (PPHA prefix)
• Completion of Mathematical Methods for PhD and MACRM Program (prior to first autumn of enrollment)
• Completion of the practical experience requirement
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.7 for all courses used toward the degree, based on a 4.0 scale
• No more than one (1) course taken pass/fail (core courses cannot be taken pass/fail)
• No more than one (1) reading/research or internship course in addition to the apprenticeship courses
• Completion of the research apprenticeship
• Policies on the the results of not meeting these requirements can be found on the Harris policies page.
• Any questions about these requirements can be sent to the Harris Dean of Students Office at harrisdeanofstudents@uchicago.edu.