IX. Graduate Programs
Economics
MA Program
The MA program contains core courses in theory and quantitative methods.
Admission Requirements
The university requires that students have the equivalent of an honours degree at the baccalaureate level.
Admission to the MA program requires that students have a solid background in economic theory and econometrics from a recognized undergraduate program. Normally, the Department requires a 'B+' average as a minimum.
Students whose background is not in economics but who are otherwise outstanding should consult the Department website for further information. Applicants whose background in economics is difficult to evaluate may be granted admission as a provisional graduate student for one semester. If, at the end of the semester, the Department is satisfied with the student's progress, it will recommend to the Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies) that the student be transferred to regular graduate student status.
Program offices should be consulted for admission deadlines.
Degree Requirements
The MA requires the completion of a minimum of 4.0 course credits. Most one-semester courses have 0.5 course credits. With approval from the Department, up to 1 credit of the required 4 credits can be taken outside the Department of Economics and Finance. However, students may, with approval, take additional courses from other Departments provided that their program includes at least six course equivalents (3.0 credits) from the Department of Economics and Finance. The minimum duration of the program is 2 semesters of full-time study as a regular graduate student. There are two options to the MA in Economics: (i) by course work, and (ii) by course work and major research paper.
Course Work:
A minimum of 4.0 credits is required, including:
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The Economics Core (1.5 credits)
ECON*6020 [0.50] Macroeconomic Theory I ECON*6500 [0.50] Microeconomic Theory MA ECON*6140 [0.50] Econometrics I or ECON*6180 [0.50] Econometric Methods -
Five additional courses (2.5 credits). At least two courses must have substantial research components (50% or more of the total course grade).
Course Work and Major Research Project:
A minimum of 4.0 credits is required, including:
Course Work in the Field of Financial Economics
A minimum of 4.0 credits is required, including:
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The Economics Core (1.5 credits)
ECON*6020 [0.50] Macroeconomic Theory I ECON*6500 [0.50] Microeconomic Theory MA ECON*6140 [0.50] Econometrics I or ECON*6180 [0.50] Econometric Methods -
The Finance Core (1.5 credits)
ECON*6380 [0.50] Financial Economics ECON*6390 [0.50] Empirical Finance and Financial Econometrics ECON*6820 [0.50] Security Analysis and Portfolio Management Note that all courses in the finance core have substantial research components (50% or more of the total course grade).
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Two additional courses (1.0 credits). Students are encouraged to take:
ECON*6320 [0.50] International Finance ECON*6490 [0.50] Money and Banking
Course Work and Major Research Project in the Field of Financial Economics
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The Economics Core (1.5 credits)
ECON*6020 [0.50] Macroeconomic Theory I ECON*6500 [0.50] Microeconomic Theory MA ECON*6140 [0.50] Econometrics I or ECON*6180 [0.50] Econometric Methods -
The Finance Core (1.5 credits)
ECON*6380 [0.50] Financial Economics ECON*6390 [0.50] Empirical Finance and Financial Econometrics ECON*6820 [0.50] Security Analysis and Portfolio Management -
ECON*6940 [1.00] Research Project