If one wants to apply to be accepted to a doctorate program in economics, is the acquisition of an undergraduate degree in economics recommended or even a prerequisite? Or in the application process, would, as an example, a physics major be equally likely to be accepted compared with an economics major?
It varies tremendously. The only way to know is to check the school’s website and contact them if it is vague. Generally a BA/BSc in Economics is preferred, but if you have a degree in any highly numerate subject or an MA/MSc in Economics they will take you on, usually mandating some classes as part of the PHD’s completion requirements.
An econ undergrad is helpful, but by no means necessary for grad school. Basically, all you need are good GRE math scores (>760 for a middle-of-the-pack school).
See the resources here.
The point about the GRE is sort of true, but a bit misleading. Grad schools tend to use the GRE results when sorting applicants but an amazingly high GRE won’t help you as much as other parts of the application. I mean, you’ll need to be north of 780 (or even 790) in the quantative section of the GRE to even be considered by a top programme, but past that it probably won’t help you much. It depends on what school you’re looking at, but, generally speaking you’ll need to have some background in economics and prove that you’re adequate in math. Letters of recommendation can help a lot too, but letters from anybody outside the field of economics (even mathematicians) aren’t worth much, and LORS from economists who were trained in top institutions will matter more than somebody who got theirs from their local community college.
As a rule, you’ll need to learn math as the language of economics, but some knowledge of the substance is absolutely necessary to even be considered. Keep in mind, PhDs in economics are pretty competative as far as grad school goes, and simply getting in is only half of the problem. Once you’re in their you’ll want funding (which they’ll usually be selective with) and need to keep up.
If one did not major in economics in undergraduate, how would one prove that they “have some background in economics” et cetera? I will obviously continue to devote a large percentage of my time to austrian-school economics; but, I imagine that the claim that “I studied HA and MES et alia extensively” will not suffice.
A MSc/MA in econ would probably be your best bet.
If you want more advice send an email to an Austrian economist, they’ll usually be knowledgable about this sort of thing and be able to help you out.