Masters in Economics,Economics in Canada

Economics has two streams in the graduate program: Economics and Econometrics, which places greater emphasis on theory (micro and macro), mathematics and statistical methods, and Economics and Society, which places greater emphasis on how the distribution of wealth and power affects the socioeconomic and physical environment. The graduate program in the Economics and Econometrics stream requires students to take more core courses in theory, mathematics and statistics, while the Economics and Society stream is more individually tailored to the student’s research. Applicants to the graduate program in Economics apply to one stream, and are not considered for admission to the other stream. Applicants who wish to specialize in Agricultural Economics must apply to the Economics and Econometrics stream. All other applicants are advised to carefully check admission and program requirements to decide which stream provides the best fit. For more information on each stream please visit the Graduate Calendar.

MFRE is a unique one-year professional masters program combining Economics, Policy and Business as understood from an Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Environmental perspective. This degree blends the economic and analytical rigour of an MSc with the business and management elements of an MBA, and equips you to analyze real-world issues through applied economics and quantitative skills.

Economic development remains a critical issue for more than three-quarters of the world’s population who reside in countries classified as “low income” or “middle income.” The causes and consequences of economic development remain contested issues. This degree considers the changing global, regional and national contexts for economic development; the policy lessons that can be learned from comparative studies; and the tools required to enable development economists to contribute to the development process.  

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

Areas of study in Economics include but are not limited to Applied Econometrics, Economic Development, Environmental and Resource Economics, Financial Economics, Industrial Organization, International Economics, Labor Economics, Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics, and Public Economics. The Department does not guarantee that each of these fields will be offered in any given year.

The MA in Economics allows you to develop advanced mathematical and theoretical foundations in economic theory and econometrics. The program provides rigorous technical training in quantitative methods and their applications, giving you the skills to carry out detailed economic analyses of a topic of your choice. You will plan, manage and execute in-depth research projects that examine a wide array of subjects - from highly abstract topics to empirical problems that use real-world data. Offering a solid academic foundation for students looking at entering the job market after graduation or pursue doctoral studies, our program is open to both Canadian and international students. Students can apply to the MA Co-operative Program after their first semester of studies to gain valuable work experience. Examples of past placement sites include financial institutions, multinational companies, government agencies and pharmaceutical corporations.

Designed with input from renowned Canadian economists and business leaders, this program features extensive opportunities for one-on-one interaction with professors, program co-ordinators and fellow students. Combining rigorous analytical training with an empirical orientation, the MA program produces graduates who excel as researchers and managers at national and international organizations. PhD graduates become highly qualified economists with the analytical and empirical expertise required to succeed in the global economy.

This program prepares students for positions in both the private and public sectors and for further academic training. The program is typically completed in 24 months or less and contains rigorous training in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics, as well as elective courses in a range of applied fields.