Mercatus Policy Essays
Mercatus Policy Essays
Mercatus MA Fellows must elect the Mercatus Policy Essay option in fulfillment of their requirement to conduct a significant research project. Mercatus Policy Essays should offer a novel application of well defined economic theoretical framework to an under-explored topic in policy. Topics must be approved by the Director of Graduate Student Programs. Essays should be about 60 pages, should offer an in depth literature review of the theoretical frame being employed, should present original findings and/or analysis and should conclude with policy recommendations.
During the fall semester of your second year, you must choose a policy essay advisor. The essay advisor must be a Mercatus Center Senior Research Fellow or other approved faculty/affiliated scholars/program staff at the Mercatus Center. The essay committee consists of the essay advisor and two other scholars or program staff either working full-time for or affiliated with the Mercatus Center. Additionally at least one member of the committee must hold a PhD in economics. Any exceptions must have the approval of the Director of Graduate Student Programs.
The essay advisor is primarily responsible for directing and guiding your research and writing activities. You are responsible for keeping all committee members informed of the scope, plan, and progress of the research as well as the essay.
Once the essay committee has been created, the student prepares a formal essay proposal. Proposals should be 10 pages and should describe the rationale for the project, a summary of the theoretical lens being employed, initial hypothesis and a tentative outline of the essay. The student submits copies of the proposal to the chair and members of the committee for their approval. The members of the committee indicate their approval on the essay proposal signature sheet. The proposal signature sheet and the proposal are then submitted to the Director of Graduate Student Programs.
Copies of the completed essay should be submitted to the chair and members of the committee for their approval. The members of the committee indicate their approval on the essay approval signature sheet. The approval signature sheet and the essay are then submitted to the Director of Graduate Student Programs.
