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The Department of Economics at the University of New Brunswick offers the following graduate degree streams:
Applicants should declare their preferable stream at the time of application. Once in the program, students can apply for a change in their stream based on academic performance and/or some other reasons.
Students in either stream could apply for the Co-op Option (hyperlink this to the Co-op Option below) that includes a minimum of one work term. We accept applications all year round with start date in September or January. However, funding competition is available only for applicants with start date in September and in such a case application should be submitted no later than Feb 1.
The foundation of our MA program is a core of courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.
Courses are regularly offered in:
It is mandatory that all students regardless of their stream take ECON 6013, ECON 6023 and either ECON 6625 or ECON 6645. All students are required to attend departmental seminars throughout the academic year.
The normal minimum requirement for admission is an honours degree (or a similar program with intensive specialization in economics) with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. This translates into at least a B average, or upper-second-class standing. In general, we require a minimum of 24 credit hours of upper-level undergraduate courses in economics.
Most successful applicants who have already taken undergraduate courses in the principles of economics, intermediate micro and macroeconomic theory, advanced micro and macroeconomic theory, econometrics, statistics or other quantitative methods and two or three further advanced-level courses in economics, Mathematical Economics 3665 and 4665 or equivalent are typically admitted into the one-year program. The program consists of eight one-term graduate courses and a master's report.
Our two-year option is for students whose academic achievements would normally entitle them to serious consideration for candidacy in economics but who have insufficient background in this area.
Two-year students will take courses for one academic year, with a majority of upper-level undergraduate courses. If these are successfully completed, the student will be admitted into the second year of the program.
Exceptionally qualified candidates from other disciplines may be admitted directly into our two-year MA program. If so, the first year would comprise of upper-level undergraduate theory courses. In their second year, the students have to take eight one-term graduate courses and complete a master's report.
The normal minimum requirement for admission is an honours degree (or a similar program with intensive specialization in economics) with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. This translates into at least a B average, or upper-second-class standing.
In general, we require a minimum of 24 credit hours of upper level undergraduate courses in economics.
Most successful applicants admitted into the one-year program have already taken undergraduate courses in the following study areas:
The program consists of 10 one-term graduate courses, one of which must have a research essay component.
Elective courses where the research essay can be performed:
This option is for students whose academic achievements would normally entitle the student to serious consideration for candidacy in economics but who have insufficient background in economics.
Two-year students will take courses for one academic year that consist of a majority of upper-level undergraduate courses. If these are successfully completed, the student will be admitted into the second year of the program.
Exceptionally qualified candidates from other disciplines may be admitted directly into our two-year MA program and the first year would comprise of upper-level undergraduate theory courses.
In their second year, the students have to take ten one-term graduate courses, one of which must have a research essay component.
Elective courses where the research essay can be performed:
Up to a maximum of 2 elective graduate courses may potentially be approved courses from other graduate units, as appropriate for the student's degree program, such as complementary studies in business or math.
Courses from other graduate units can only be taken and counted towards the MA ECON program if they are approved by the Director of Graduate Studies prior to registration.
The co-op is optional, not specifically required for the degree. Co-op can be taken by either coursework or research-based students. The option will allow students to supplement their academic education with on-the-job learning.
Application for the first work term is normally made no earlier than the student's second term of study, in order to assess the student's standing in the graduate program. Students must be in good standing in the graduate program, must have a cumulative GPA for graduate courses be greater than or equal to 3.0. Students must be enrolled in at least 4 courses per semester to be assessed for co-op eligibility. If a student is required to enroll in AESL 6021 or equivalent to improve their English competency, the student must successfully complete these requirements before they are eligible to apply for a Co-op work term.
Co-op workshops for students intending to enter the co-op program are scheduled at various times during the year. These sessions will deal with such topics as appropriate work place behavior, resume writing, interview techniques, employer-employee relations, experiences of past employers and students, etc. Attendance at the workshops is expected of all students hoping to enter the Program. The exact format and dates of the sessions will be announced early in September and January.
While co-op applicants are normally required to meet the above academic requirements, they should also exhibit the personality traits and personal conduct that would indicate their suitability for working in a professional environment which is often team-oriented. There is no guarantee that all applicants will be successful in securing a co-op position. Co-op students must be legally entitled to employment in Canada.
The Department of Economics has 12 full-time faculty members, some of whom possess a national or international profile. Others are recent PhDs actively engaged in building their research profile.
Professors have on-going research in the areas such as: