Academic Experience

The principal mission of the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education – Economics Institute (CERGE-EI) is to fulfill four interrelated tasks: graduate economics education, economic research, disseminating the findings of modern economic analysis, and promoting modern world standards of scientific and pedagogical work. In addition to the MAE program, CERGE-EI also conducts a PhD program in Economics (which includes an in-process MA degree) and a study abroad program called UPCES.

Both the CERGE-EI PhD program and the MAE program hold a permanent charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in the U.S.A. This charter ensures the quality of the degrees, and provides international recognition of the diplomas granted.

CERGE was established in 1991 by Professor Jan Švejnar, now at the University of Michigan, and Professor Josef Zieleniec, now a member of the European Parliament.

In 1999, CERGE formally entered into a joint workplace agreement with the Economics Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, creating "CERGE-EI".

CERGE-EI is unique in that a variety of students from all over the world converge in our building in the center of Prague to engage in high-level academic work. PhD students already have a Masters-level degree and are typically around 25 years old. PhD students are usually from Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, former Soviet Republics, and Caucasus states. PhD students study in Prague for at least four years and are directed towards the highest level of theoretical research.

UPCES students are Americans staying here for only one or two semesters to study Central and Eastern European Studies. UPCES "study abroad" students are undergraduates, so typically they are 18-20 years old.

MAE students come from all over the world and usually have just finished their Bachelors-level study. However, some MAE students are older mid-career professionals. MAE students are interested in becoming well prepared to succeed in demanding intellectual jobs in economics after graduation.

This variety of ages, nationalities, study ambitions, experience, and perspectives makes CERGE-EI a lively academic experience. Students in all the programs have opportunities to interact with all the other students and faculty.

Faculty

We have an international faculty, and all CERGE-EI faculty have PhDs from U.S. or Western European universities.

Professors teaching in the CERGE-EI MAE program are selected from the permanent and visiting faculty of CERGE-EI and professional adjunct faculty working in the field.

Quality teaching is highly valued in the MAE program. Teachers are monitored closely and student evaluations are taken seriously.