Academic Calendar 2023-2024

Economics - Master of Arts

The Master’s program normally requires three (3) terms of full-time study. Students entering the master’s program with full-time status in the fall must take at least three (3) half-courses in each of the Fall and Winter terms. The degree may be taken according to one of three (3) program patterns, the requirements for which are as follows: 

Program Pattern I
Six (6) half-courses and a Master’s Thesis (ECON 899, which is equivalent to one full course). The courses selected must include:
ECON 810 Microeconomic Theory (or ECON 811 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I);
ECON 815 Macroeconomic Theory (or ECON 816 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory I);
ECON 852 Quantitative Methods (or ECON 850 Econometrics I);

and three (3) additional graduate courses in economics. An average grade of 70% will be required in the course work. 

Program Pattern II
Seven (7) half-courses and a Master’s Essay (ECON 898, which is equivalent to one full course). The courses selected must include:
ECON 810 Microeconomic Theory (or ECON 811 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I);
ECON 815 Macroeconomic Theory (or ECON 816 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory I);
ECON 852 Quantitative Methods (or ECON 850 Econometrics I);
and four (4) additional graduate courses in economics. An average grade of 70% will be required in the course work. 

The Master’s Essay (ECON 898) will be examined and assigned a percentage grade by a committee composed of the supervisor and one other member of the Department. The average grade of the two committee members will be assigned unless the individual grades differ by more than 10 percentage points. In such a case, the Graduate Coordinator will examine the essay and assign a final grade based in part on consultation with the committee members. In the event of a failing grade, the student can resubmit the essay once implementing any changes required by the Graduate Coordinator in consultation with the supervisor of the essay. 

Program Pattern III
Eight (8) half-courses. The courses selected must include:
1. one of the following two (2) sequences:
(i) ECON 811 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I, ECON 813 Advanced Microeconomic Theory II, and ECON 815 Macroeconomic Theory (or ECON 816 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory I), or

(ii) ECON 816 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory I, ECON 817 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory II, and ECON 810 Microeconomic Theory (or ECON 811 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I);

2. ECON 850 Econometrics I or ECON 852 Quantitative Methods;

3. four (4) additional graduate half-courses in Economics.

In addition, students must fulfill a mathematics requirement by attending and passing the Graduate Methods Review course or passing a diagnostic test.
Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. program after completing Program Pattern III will have advanced standing in the Ph.D. program.