In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:
Master of Arts (thesis-based)
a) For students holding an Honours Economics degree with credits in Economics 387, 389, 395, 495, 497, 557, and 559 or their equivalents, the completion of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) of graduate-level Economics courses. Such students may be able to complete the degree in one year. In special cases the Department may allow students to substitute a maximum of 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) from a related discipline for one of the elective graduate courses in Economics.
b) For students without an Honours Economics degree or students whose Honours degree in Economics does not include the undergraduate courses specified in (a) or their equivalents, the completion of such courses as are required to raise their competence to the appropriate level. Graduate course requirements for such students are the same as in (a). Such students may be able to complete the degree in two years.
c) The completion of Economics 615, 657, and 659 unless one or more of them is explicitly exempted by the graduate program director.
Students, with the approval of the graduate program director, may replace Economics 657 and 659 with Economics 707/757 and 709/759 respectively
d) Successful completion and examination of the MA thesis (in accord with examination procedures of the Faculty of Graduate Studies).
Master of Arts (course-based)
The departmental academic requirements for the course-based Master of Arts degree are comparable to those for the thesis-based Master of Arts specified above. The differences in the course-based program are:
a) The thesis requirement is replaced by additional 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) of graduate courses (making a total of 30 units or 5.0 full-course equivalents).
b) The maximal number of courses from a related discipline is increased to 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) of the elective graduate courses in Economics.
c) A research paper. The topic may be a limited empirical research project, a critical review of the literature in a particular area, or a critical analysis of a theoretical or important policy problem. This paper is completed through Economics 695 and 697.
d) An exit requirement consisting of a research defence in an open conference (at the end of Economics 697) and if unsuccessful a comprehensive written examination.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Department of Economics requires that doctoral students take 36 units (6.0 full-course equivalents). Required courses include two courses each in econometrics, Economics 705 and 715, microeconomic theory, Economics 707 and 757, and macroeconomic theory, Economics 709 and 759. In addition, students must take 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) in “field” areas. Doctoral students must also write and pass a second-year research paper prior to scheduling the Thesis Proposal Oral Examination. For further information see the website: econ.ucalgary.ca/graduate/resources-current-students.
Students are also recommended to take a non-credit one-week course in the Fall Session Block Week (the week prior to the start of classes) of the first year in Mathematical Economics.
The Department allows for the possibility that master's-level courses and course work taken at other institutions may be substituted for some of the required doctoral courses. Decisions concerning course substitutions and the transferability of graduate courses from other institutions are made on a case-by-case basis. Students are advised that the field of study exams in microeconomics and macroeconomics, which are required of all doctoral students, include material from the core courses listed above.
Graduate students must obtain a grade standing of “B” or better in graduate course work. A grade of “B-“ or less will trigger a departmental review of the student's suitability for the graduate program and may result in a loss of funding.
Program Descriptions