Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute (CERGE-EI)

The Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE) was established in 1991 as the first modern doctoral program in economics in the post-communist transition. CERGE is a higher education institute of Charles University, which was founded in 1348 as the first university in Central Europe and is among the oldest universities in Europe.

We currently offer 2 programs:

• MA in Economic Research: 2-year full-time program that combines courses in economics, data science, and public policy. The curriculum provides students with useful and readily applicable knowledge of how the economy works, equipping them with both hard skills (e.g., Python and R coding) and soft skills (e.g., professional writing and presentation). The aim of this program is to prepare students for careers in analytical teams at government organizations, as data scientists in NGOs, and in consulting firms. Graduates receive a Czech degree fully accredited by Charles University.

• PhD in Economics: a program designed for students who desire a rigorous graduate education in Economics at a prestigious international institution. 2 years of MA-level coursework followed by 2+ years of dissertation research. After 2 years, students receive a US MA in Economics degree. Graduates receive both US and Czech doctoral degrees.

• CERGE-EI IS ranked in the top 5% research institutions worldwide by the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) and Research Papers in Economics (RePEc).

• CERGE-EI faculty and researchers have established a remarkable record of professional careers and publications in top economics and policy-oriented journals.

• CERGE-EI researchers have been active as recognized experts in areas including labor market functioning, taxation, social policies and poverty reduction, R&D policies, stock market regulation, macroeconomics analysis including forecasting, public budgeting, pension schemes and reforms, health economics, and economics of public regulations.

CERGE-EI graduates pursue academic careers in prestigious university departments around the world, such as Max Planck Institute, Tilburg University or New York University, hold high-level positions in international organizations, including the World Bank, IMF, government ministries, central banks, think tanks, and private sector organizations. Many find jobs in international business sectors, including major banks and consulting firms such as Moody’s Analytics, EY, or Erste Group.