Program Overview

Master of Arts with a Specialization in Economics and Finance

The Department of Economics offers a course-based Master of Arts program with a specialization in Economics and Finance, as well as a thesis-based PhD program.

Why Study This Program?

The program provides students with a comprehensive education in economics and finance, covering areas such as Applied Econometrics, Economic Development, Environmental and Resource Economics, Financial Economics, Industrial Organization, International Economics, Labor Economics, Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics, and Public Economics.

Entrance Requirements

All applicants must have completed coursework in calculus and linear algebra, as well as advanced coursework in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. The Department's minimum admission requirements are:

• An undergraduate degree in Economics with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on all third and fourth year Economics and Mathematics coursework.
• For the MA with a specialization in Economics and Finance, an undergraduate degree in Economics with an admission GPA of at least 3.5 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• For the PhD program, a Master's Degree in Economics or equivalent with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on all Masters level Economics coursework.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency, which can be demonstrated by:

• A TOEFL score of 92 (Internet-based) with a minimum of 21 in each band, or equivalent.
• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS, with at least 6.5 in each band.

Graduate Record Examinations

Applicants whose most recent degree is from a non-Canadian university are required to write the Graduate Record Examinations (verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections) administered by the Educational Testing Service (Princeton, NJ).

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A Curriculum Vitae
• Three reference letters (minimum 2 academic)
• A statement of research interest (for PhD applicants)

Program Requirements

The program consists of:

• Required courses (15 units):
  • ECON 503 - MA Microeconomic Theory
  • ECON 581 - MA Macroeconomic Theory
  • ECON 598 - Econometric Theory and Applications
  • ECON 599 - Applied Econometrics
  • FIN 501 - Managerial Finance
• Elective courses (24 units):
  • One 3-unit graduate-level ACCTG course
  • Four 3-unit graduate-level ECON courses
  • Three 3-unit graduate-level FIN courses
• Research Project (3 units):
  • ECON 999 (an independent research project)

Residence Requirement

The course-based MA in Economics and MA in Economics and Finance has no minimum residence period and can be completed on a purely part-time basis.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the MA with a specialization in Economics and Finance will vary according to the previous training of the applicant. The MA in Economics and Finance requires a minimum of 22 months of full-time study to complete. The maximum time to complete the course-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.

Tuition and Fees

The department automatically considers all applicants for Teaching Assistantships at the time applications are reviewed. Funding offers are made to top-ranked applicants and are made separately from offers of admission. Financial need is not a factor in selecting who will be offered funding. Funding is contingent upon students maintaining a first-class standing (3.5 GPA) and satisfactorily performing their required duties.