General Information
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.
Graduate program guidelines for each offered program are available from the Department.
Entrance Requirements
All applicants must have completed coursework in calculus and linear algebra, as well as advanced coursework in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics.
For the MA program, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree in Economics with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework. In addition, applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on all third and fourth year Economics and Mathematics coursework.
For the MA with a specialization in Economics and Finance, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree in Economics with an admission GPA of at least 3.5 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
For the PhD program, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are a Master’s Degree in Economics or equivalent with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework. In addition, applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on all Masters level Economics coursework.
Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement). Any one of the following is acceptable:
- A TOEFL score of 92 (Internet-based) where applicable with a minimum of 21 in each band, or equivalent.
- A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS, with at least 6.5 in each band.
Applicants whose most recent degree is from a nonCanadian university are required to write the Graduate Record Examinations (verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections) administered by the Educational Testing Service (Princeton, NJ). The examinations should be written early enough for scores to be available at the same time as the applicant’s other supporting documents. There is no minimum required GRE score; GRE results are used in conjunction with other indicators of potential academic success.
Applicants are also required to submit a Curriculum Vitae and three reference letters (minimum 2 academic). In addition, PhD applicants must provide a statement of research interest. Applicants are not required to have a supervisor before applying to the programs.
For information regarding tuition and fees, please refer to Tuition & Cost of Living Estimates.
Inquiries regarding details of programs offered within the Department should be directed to the Graduate Program Office.
Applications are open annually from September 1 through January 31 for admission in the Fall term. We offer one intake per year.
Financial Assistance
The department automatically considers all applicants for Teaching Assistantships at the time applications are reviewed. Funding offers are made to our top ranked applicants and are made separately from offers of admission. Financial need is not a factor in selecting who will be offered funding.
Funding is contingent upon students maintaining a first class standing (3.5 GPA) and satisfactorily performing their required duties. In addition, continued funding for PhD students beyond year 2 requires regular attendance at departmental seminars, an annual presentation of research in a brown bag seminar and a satisfactory annual report outlining progress in the program. Funding in year 4 of the PhD program is contingent on completion of the PhD candidacy exam.
Details of scholarships and other sources of financial assistance are included at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca