The trend in U.S. undergraduate economics degrees continued its upward trajectory in 2009-2010. After three years of treading water (2005, 2006, and 2007), in 2008 (academic year 2007-2008) undergraduate degrees in economics awarded by U.S. colleges and universities resumed the strong upward trajectory they exhibited from 1997 through 2004, when…

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 article reports on the trends in undergraduate economics degrees from 1991-2007. Undergraduate degrees in economics awarded by U.S. colleges and universities enjoyed a substantial upward trajectory for seven consecutive years from 1997 through 2004, accumulating a 57 percent rise over the seven years. But, like all good things that eventually…

This article reports on the trends in undergraduate economics degrees from 1991-2008. After three years of treading water, in 2008 undergraduate degrees in economics awarded by U.S. colleges and universities resumed the strong upward trajectory they exhibited from 1997 to 2004, when they rose 59 percent over seven years. The fastest growth in 2008…

We investigate graduate school outcomes for students who entered economics Ph.D. programs in Fall 2002. Students in Top-15 ranked programs and those with higher verbal and quantitative GRE scores are less likely to have dropped out, but no more likely to have graduated. Those with undergraduate degrees from Top-60 U.S. liberal arts colleges and…

Multiple-choice questions are the basis of a significant portion of assessment in introductory economics courses. However, these questions, as found in course assessments, test banks, and textbooks, often fail to evaluate students' abilities to use and apply economic analysis. The authors conclude that multiple-choice questions can be used to…

This article reports on the trends in undergraduate economics degrees from 1991-2006. Undergraduate degrees in economics awarded by U.S. colleges and universities enjoyed an upward trajectory for eight consecutive years from 1997 through 2005. On the basis of the steady climb in economics majors from 2000 to 2005, "Newsweek" (December 26, 2005)…

The authors document the types of undergraduate colleges and universities attended by those who earned a doctorate in economics from an American university from 1966 through 2003. They examine relationships between type of undergraduate institution and attrition and time-to-degree in PhD programs. The total number of new economics PhDs awarded to…

Contributions to five leading economics journals in terms of institutional affiliations of authors are analyzed. It is noted that dramatic shifts in contributions among universities occurred between the 1960s and the first half of the 1970s. Possible reasons for these shifts are set forth. (Author/KC)

Reports a study which examined the performance of 41 law students in an Economic Analysis of Law course. Conclusions are that prior formal study of economics appears to have no effect on performance in law school economics courses. The main determinant is performance in other law school courses. (KC)

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…

Explores whether class size affects achievement in introductory college economics, using the 1988-89 Test of Understanding in College Economics database (TUCE III). Results indicate that neither class size nor certain controlled class characteristics affect student achievement. Results are markedly robust, when using SAT scores to control for…

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)

In this article, the author reports the percentage of undergraduate degrees in economics from 1991 to 2004. The explosive growth from academic year 2001 (2000-01) through 2003 in undergraduate economics degrees awarded by American colleges and universities, particularly large state universities, moderated a bit in 2004. Virtually all of the 27…