Master of Arts (MA) in Economics

The program information below was valid for the spring 2017 term (May 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Length of program 
    • The coursework option can be completed in two terms while the major research paper option requires three terms to complete.
  • Program type 
    • Master's
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • An Honours bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a 75% average.
    • Students must have strong preparation in economics and in the mathematical tools needed to be successful in the program, including the following university-level courses:
      • Advanced microeconomics
      • Advanced macroeconomics
      • Advanced econometrics
      • Mathematical economics; as an equivalent two terms of calculus and one term of linear algebra
    • A GRE score is not required but is recommended for all international students applying to the program.
  • Application materials 
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  2
    • Type of references: 

      academic
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Master's Research Paper option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete 7 courses (5 required and 2 elective) in the following sequence:
    • Fall term
      • ECON 601 Microeconomic Theory I
      • ECON 602 Macroeconomic Theory I
      • ECON 621 Econometrics I
      • 1 elective course
    • Winter term
      • ECON 606 Research Methodology
      • ECON 622 Applied Microeconometrics I or ECON 623 Applied Macroeconometrics I
      • 1 elective course
    • Students who fail (<60%) a first term required course (ECON 601, ECON 602, ECON 621)will be required to withdraw from the program.
    • Normally, a minimum overall average of 75% in ECON 601, ECON 602, and ECON 621, with no one of these grades falling below 70%, will be required.
    • Students may take a course in another department, such as Management Sciences, Political Science, School of Accounting and Finance, Statistics, and Environmental
      Studies. Ordinarily, no more than 1 course may be taken from another department, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Economics, in fulfillment of the degree.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
  • Graduate Skills Workshop
    • A two week mathematics/statistics review class scheduled the last week of August and the first week of September.
  • Master’s Research Paper
    • A 2 course equivalent requiring an in-depth study of a topic approved by the Department.

    Coursework option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete 8 courses (5 required and 3 elective) in the following sequence:
    • Fall term
      • ECON 601 Microeconomic Theory I
      • ECON 602 Macroeconomic Theory I
      • ECON 621 Econometrics I
      • 1 elective course
    • Winter term
      • ECON 606 Research Methodology
      • ECON 622 Applied Microeconometrics I or ECON 623 Applied Macroeconometrics I
      • 2 elective courses
    • Students are expected to write a paper with a value of at least 30% in at least 1 of their courses.
    • Students who fail (<60%) a first term required course (ECON 601, ECON 602, ECON 621) will be required to withdraw from the program.
    • Normally, a minimum overall average of 75%in ECON 601, ECON 602, and ECON 621, with no one of these grades falling below 70%, will be required.
    • Students may take a course in another department, such as Management Sciences, Political Science, School of Accounting and Finance, Statistics, and Environmental
      Studies. Ordinarily, no more than 1 course may be taken from another department, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Economics, in fulfillment of the degree.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
  • Graduate Skills Workshop
    • A two week mathematics/statistics review class scheduled the last week of August and the first week of September.
Department of Economics website
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