With a focus on applied economics, our MA program provides you with relevant analytical and problem-solving skills through coursework, research and practice. Our well-established co-op option allows you to supplement your academic education with an 8-month work term and on-the-job learning. The work term serves as a stepping stone to a career for many of our graduates. Degree requirements can be fulfilled by one of three options: course work only (8 courses), course work and major research paper (7 courses), or course work and thesis (4 courses). Typical degree completion time is 2 to 3 terms without co-op or 4 to 5 terms with co-op. Funding is available and is allocated on a merit basis.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MA program in Economics is in September and is open to students who have:
- Honours bachelor's degree (or equivalent)
- Applicants must have strong preparation in economics and in the mathematical tools needed to be successful in the program, including the following university-level courses.
- Two semesters of intermediate and/or advanced microeconomics
- Two semesters of intermediate and/or advanced macroeconomics
- At least one semester of mathematical economics or equivalent. (Note that two semesters of mathematical economics are highly recommended or equivalently two semesters of calculus and one of linear algebra.)
- At least two semesters of statistics and/or econometrics
- Two academic letters of reference
- Proof of competency in English (if applicable).
- A GRE score is not required but is recommended for all international applicants.
- For students educated abroad, see Admission Guide for International Applicants for further details.
The application deadline is February 1.
Degree Requirements
All students in both the regular and the co-op MA programs are required to complete, in good standing, Econ 601 (Microeconomic Theory I), Econ 602 (Macroeconomic Theory I), Econ 606 (Research Methodology), and Econ 621 (Econometrics I) during the first term, and Econ 622A (Applied Microeconometrics) OR Econ 622B (Applied Macroeconometrics) during the second term of their program.
Regular MA Program
This is a two or three-term program which requires the satisfactory completion of one of the following three options:
Course Work Option
Eight one-term (0.5 unit weight) graduate courses, approved by the Department. Students are expected to write a paper with a value of at least 30% in at least one of their graduate courses.
Major Paper Option
Seven one-term (0.5 unit weight) graduate courses, approved by the Department, plus a major research paper (a two-term course equivalent), requiring an in-depth study of a topic approved by the Department.
Thesis Option
Four one-term (0.5 unit weight) graduate courses, approved by the Department, plus a thesis (a four-term course equivalent), embodying the results of research on a topic approved by the Department.
Co-op MA Program
The MA co-op option involves terms of study alternating with work-terms. The Department of Co-operative Education and Career Services has a large network of relations with employers throughout Canada and they assist students in finding suitable work term employment. Students have been very successful in the co-op option, taking up employment positions they deem suitable and earning on average $2,700 per month while on their work-terms. Furthermore, after graduating from the MA program, many of our students have been hired as permanent employees by their work-term employers with starting salaries averaging around $42,000.
The co-op option is a four or five-term program which requires the satisfactory completion of:
- the course work, major paper or thesis option,
- an eight-month work term placement,
- submission of one work report deemed satisfactory by the Department.
Normally, a minimum overall average of 78% in Econ 601 (Microeconomic Theory 1), Econ 602 (Macroeconomic Theory I), Econ 606 (Research Methodology), and Econ 621 (Econometrics I), with no one of these grades falling below 70%, will be required of those students wanting to pursue the co-op option.
Students who fail (<60%) a first term required course (Econ 601, 602, 606, 621) will be required to withdraw from the program.
In order to graduate, candidates must receive a minimum overall average of 70%.
Areas and Duration of Study in the MA Program
Both regular and co-op students take courses together on campus in the fall and winter terms. The course work option can be completed in two terms while the major research paper and thesis options require three terms to complete. Students enrolled in the co-op option take up employment for two terms (spring and fall). Students may choose between the regular and co-op options during their first term on campus.
Students can take a course in other departments, such as Management Sciences, Political Science, School of Accountancy, Statistics and Environmental Studies. Ordinarily, no more than one course may be taken from another department, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Economics, in fulfillment of the MA degree.
All graduate students are provided with office and computer facilities.
Financial Assistance in the MA Program
All successful candidates are automatically considered for financial assistance in. The current level of funding for MA students is $12,000 per year. International students are eligible to receive an International Master's Student Award valued at $1,595 per term. Candidates in the co-op option can also expect to receive approximately $2,700 per month while in employment during their two work terms.