Masters of Arts in Economics with a Specialization in Finance

Our 24 month MA Economics program with a specialization in Finance provides graduate training in economic theory, finance, quantitative methods, data analysis, and accounting.  Recent graduates have moved to careers in financial institutions such as ATB Financial and Scotiabank, as well as the provincial government.  Graduates have also pursued PhD studies in Canada and the U.S.

Admissions

  • Equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in Economics with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 on the University of Alberta 4-point grading scale in the last 2 years (60 credits) of full time study.
  • Advanced undergraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics as well as course work in calculus and statistics.
  • International students may refer to the Minimum Academic Requirements by Country to determine eligibility.
  • Students who wish to be considered for both MA programs are to submit only one application and select the MA Economics with a specialization in Finance.
  • Upon recommendation of the Admissions Committee, a student with a strong application who is not fully qualified to enter the MA program, may be offered admission as a qualifying student. The student will be required to complete 8 advanced level undergraduate Economics courses. Upon successful completion with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 the student will be transferred to the Master of Arts program.

  • English Language Proficiency
    • International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 92 with a minimum band score of 21. The minimum overall score on the IELTS is 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each band.
    • The ELP requirement may be waived if the student’s country or institution is exempt (ELP Exemptions) or with a letter from the institution confirming the medium of instruction is English.
  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
    • Applicants whose most recent degree is from an institution outside Canada are required to complete the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections of the GREs. The Department prefers a score of over 80% in the quantitative section.
    • Both scores and percentages must be uploaded to the application before the application deadline.
    • The GRE is not a substitute for the English language test. The GRE requirement will not be waived and no substitutions will be accepted.

  • Application Process Expansion
    • Applications are open September 1 through January 15 each year for the following September. Complete applications must be submitted by midnight (MT), January 15.
    • Complete applications include:
      • All transcripts in original language and official English translation
      • All degree certificates in original language and official English translation
      • English language test results or letter confirming language of instruction as applicable.
      • GRE for applicants obtaining their most recent degree from institutions outside Canada
      • CV
      • 3 letters of reference (minimum 2 academic references)
      • The Department of Economics will not waive the application fee set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
    • Admission decisions will be made by February 15 and are accessed via the Portal. Applicants must accept or decline the offer via the Portal. Once the applicant has accepted the offer of admission, the Department will contact the student with specific program and course registration information.
    • The offer of admission does not include offers of funding. The Department will send funding offers separately to the top ranked applicants to the email provided on the application. Funds are extremely limited and offered on a competitive basis.

Program at a Glance

  • Year 1:
    • August: Online Math Refresher
    • Fall: Microeconomics, Econometrics, FIN 501, 1 elective
    • Winter: Applied Econometrics, ACCTG 501, 1 elective
  • Year 2:
    • Fall: 3 electives
    • Winter: Macroeconomics, 2 electives
    • Spring: Directed Research Project
  • 3 FIN electives and 4 ECON electives

Funding and Awards

  • All applicants are automatically considered for a departmental teaching and research assistantships. Funding offers are made on the basis of previous scholastic standing and are not guaranteed. Financial need is not a consideration for funding. A full-time assistantship runs from September to April and requires students to work 12 hours per week.
  • International students who have accepted an assistantship are required to submit to the Department a copy of their study permit and SIN before payment of the assistantship can be authorized.

  • 5 scholarships available exclusively to graduate students in the Department of Economics.
    • AD O'Brien Graduate Scholarship in Public Finance
    • John Garrett Graduate Scholarship in United States Studies 
    • Maurice, Mary & Max Stewart Graduate Scholarship 
    • Maya and Mangesh Murdeshwar Graduate Award 
    • Economics Society of Northern Alberta MA Scholarship in Economics 
  • Inter-departmental scholarships students may apply for are found at GPS Awards. Students will be notified by the Graduate Advisor to submit completed applications in the form of a single PDF per award to econgrad@ualberta.ca.

  • Core Prize ($500) awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall GPA in the 4 core courses in their program
  • Research Prize ($500) awarded to the student writing the best capstone project in Econ 999

Applications open
September 1 – January 15 for Fall Admissions

Begin your Application

Contact: econgrad@ualberta.ca