Economics

Economics

Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

This is your chance to pursue your degree in a vibrant, research-focused environment where students are encouraged to explore topics beyond the typical definition of economics studies.

Our faculty members regularly publish work in leading academic journals, showcasing expertise in climate change, international trade, energy policy and more. Our students come from diverse backgrounds; in a typical year, we accept 25 students into our two MA programs (thesis- and course-based), drawing from applicants across Canada and around the world.

Our department is committed to the sharing of fresh ideas, sponsoring conferences and workshops, a weekly seminar series, and the newly established Dr. Frank Anton Distinguished Lecture Series in Economics. We are also home to a federal data centre, so students can apply directly for their own research agendas.

Completing this program

  • Core Courses: Econometrics, Microeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Theory.
  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
  • Additional Courses: May include international trade, energy, labour, regulatory, financial or public economics, research methods, other topics.

Outcomes

Regulatory agencies, central banks, international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, financial services industry, universities.

A master’s degree in economics will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Courses

Minimum three core courses and three electives

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Two years full-time; four years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Aidan Hollis

    Aidan Hollis

    Unavailable
    Industrial Organization
  2. Placeholder Profile Image

    Rob Oxoby

    Accepting Inquiries
    Behavioural and Experimental Economics, Political Economy
  3. Photo of Blake Shaffer

    Blake Shaffer

    Accepting Inquiries
    Electricity markets, energy transition, climate policy
  4. Glen L. Sumner

    Glen Sumner

    Unavailable
    Health Economics and Cardiovascular Outcomes, Health Outcomes Research, Health Economics and Cardiovascular Outcomes, Health Economics: Health Finance and Health Policy, Health Economics: Health Care Financing, Health Economics: Behavioural Economics, Health Economics: Health Care Financing, Health Economics: Health Care Finance
  5. Trevor Tombe

    Trevor Tombe

    Accepting Inquiries
  6. Placeholder Profile Image

    Jean-Francois Wen

    Unavailable
    Public Economics

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A four-year degree from a recognized institution, with specific courses: 4 full-course equivalents of economics courses that include equivalents to: Economics 395/495/497 (Econometrics) Economics 387/389 (Math for economists) Economics 557 (Senior Microeconomics) Economics 559 (Senior Macroeconomics) Must have a B average in senior economics courses.

Work samples

None

Documents

None

Reference letters

Three

Test scores

None


English language proficiency (ELP)

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Jan. 15 application deadline
  • International students: Jan. 15 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of Economics

Social Sciences Building, Room 454
618 Campus Place NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Faculty of Arts

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Arts website