MA in Economics - International Development Studies

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

The Department of Economics and Finance participates in this interdisciplinary program in International Development Studies (IDS) in collaboration with the Departments of Geography, Political Studies, and Sociology and Anthropology. Applicants for this program choose to enter through one of the participating departments, and course selections are based on the applicant's primary discipline. Students who choose to enter through the Economics stream must satisfy the regular Economics MA Program requirements in addition to the course requirements of the International Development Studies program.

Depending on the IDS requirements, the program may be 3 or 4 semesters in length.

COURSE WORK:

  • 3 graduate Economics courses (0.5 credit each)
    • Must take Micro 1 (ECON*6000) and Macro 1 (ECON*6020)
    • Must take Econometrics ECON*6140 if satisfactory record of undergraduate work in econometrics; ECON*6180 if less undergraduate preparation, preceded by ECON*6050
  • IDEV*6100 International Development Studies Seminar
  • 3 or 4 IDS core courses (0.5 credit each)
  • ECON*6940 Research Project (1.0 credit)
    • Completed under the direction of a two-faculty advisory committee
    • ​Students are required to present the results of their research in a seminar to faculty and graduate students (usually in the summer semester)

Students should consult the academic calendar for a complete list of IDS courses and core requirements. More information about IDS at the University of Guelph is available at the International Development Studies website.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have the following:

  • Honours baccalaureate degree (or equivalent)
  • Minimum B+ average (upper second class, or 77%)
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Good preparation in advanced economic theory and econometrics, eg
    • at least three courses* in micro theory (introductory, intermediate and advanced levels) and intermediate macro theory
    • a minimum of one course in each of statistics and econometrics
    • a minimum of one course in mathematics for economics or equivalent
    • a number of courses in development and related disciplines

*"course" refers to a one-semester course (12 weeks of instruction, three hours per week)

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

All applications are automatically considered for financial assistance - applicants need not apply separately. Support is provided mainly in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships and bursaries. They are awarded to incoming students based on academic record and availability of funds. Students will be advised at the time an offer is made of the available financial support. 

HOW TO APPLY

  • Apply online on the Graduate Program Services website.
  • The Department is notified of all online applications once the applicant's fee payment has cleared.
  • The application fee is $110 Canadian funds.
  • The fee can be paid either by credit card or a money order (money orders must be mailed directly to the online company - OUAC).

OFFERS OF ADMISSION

  • Complete applications are evaluated by the Department's Graduate Committee
  • Recommendations for admission are communicated to applicants (initially by email)
  • Applications and the Department's recommendations are forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies
  • If acceptable to Grad Studies, a formal offer of admission is sent to the successful applicant (usually in March for first round admission offers)
  • Offers may be conditional pending receipt of final documentation (for example, degree certificate, study permit, etc)