Study with us
Program details
The Department of Economics offers programs of study leading to a Master of Arts in Economics as well as a pre-master’s option.
Master of Arts in Economics
Expected duration: 1 year
The MA program consists of a combination of coursework and either a thesis component or research paper that demonstrates the mastery of their field.
Tuition and fees: Program fees are assessed in the first two terms of study, followed by a continuing fee in the third and any subsequent terms. (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)
In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Master's Degrees General Regulations, students must complete stream specific requirements.
Economics and Econometrics stream
Thesis-based route
Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits hours of coursework, including:
- ECON 6040 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7010 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7650 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7722 (3 credit hours)
- 3 credit hours of elective Economics courses at the 7000 level
An additional 6 credit hours of coursework (at the 3000 level or higher) may be taken in a field approved by the student’s thesis advisor or the Economics and Econometrics Graduate Subcommittee Chair.
Course-based route
Students must complete a minimum of 27 credits hours of coursework, including:
- ECON 6040 (3 credit hours)
- Research Paper ECON 7000 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7010 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7650 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7722 (3 credit hours)
- 12 credit hours of elective course work in Economics at the 7000 level
Economics and society stream
Thesis-based route
Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits hours of coursework, including:
- ECON 6040 (3 credit hours)
- 12 credit hours of elective coursework in Economics at the 7000 level
Course-based route
Students must complete a minimum of 27 credits hours of coursework, including:
- ECON 6040 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7010 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7650 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7722 (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7540 or ECON 7060 (3 credit hours)
- 12 credit hours of Economics courses selected in consultation with the Economics and Society Graduate Subcommittee Chair
Sample course offerings
- ECON 6040: Survey of Mathematical Topics for Economists (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7032: Econometrics III (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7040: Topics in Applied Microeconomics I (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7060: Advanced Heterodox Theory (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7140: Topics in Development Economics (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7150: Evaluation of Public Policy and Programs (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7202: Industrial Organization (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7430: Advanced Theory of Resource Economics (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7610: Approaches, Methodologies and Techniques in Economic History (3 credit hours)
- ECON 7630: Theory of International Trade (3 credit hours)
For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.
Pre-master's option
Expected duration: 1 year
Tuition and fees: Varies (refer to the pre-master's section in Graduate tuition and fees)
The pre-master’s program consists of 24 credit hours of economics courses at the 3000 and 4000 level.
For students with academic backgrounds that do not meet the requirements for a given program in a department, the department may recommend the student be admitted to a pre-master’s program. The pre-master’s program is intended to bring a student’s standing to approximately the level of a four-year degree with a major in the appropriate discipline.
Admission requirements
The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Admission decisions are based on the qualifications of the applicant as well as the ability of the Department of Economics and the University of Manitoba to serve the applicant’s intended program of study and area of specialization.
To be considered for admission to the economics (MA) program, you must have a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.1.
Normally, successful applicants for admission to the MA program will have completed an Honours degree in economics equivalent to that awarded by the University of Manitoba.
Economics and Econometrics stream
To be considered for admission to the Economics and Econometrics stream, you must have:
- A minimum degree GPA of 3.1 from an undergraduate degree that includes 54 credit hours of completed economics courses (or, if the applicant has a double Honours degree, 42 credit hours), which shall include:
- Coursework in Mathematical Economics equivalent to the University of Manitoba course ECON 3030, and coursework in Econometrics courses equivalent to ECON 3040 and ECON 4040;
- A grade of B+ or better is normally required in each upper level undergraduate economic theory course completed; and
- Six credit hours of mathematics equivalent to the University of Manitoba courses such as: MATH 1500 (calculus) and MATH 1310 (linear algebra).
Economics and Society stream
To qualify for the Economics and Society stream, successful applicants must have a minimum degree GPA of 3.1 from a four-year undergraduate program and have completed a minimum of 42 total credit hours in Economics courses.
In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Pre-master’s admission requirements
To be considered for the pre-master’s program you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.1 in economics coursework. You must also have completed at least 6 credit hours of mathematics including calculus with a minimum grade of C+ in each course.
How to apply
The Master of Arts in Economics program has one application deadline per year, and applications are accepted for September entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:
- Application fee (non-refundable)
- Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates
- Statement of intent
- Detail your background and goals in 500 words
- Three letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
- Proof of English language proficiency, if required
Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.
Application deadlines
Learn more
Contact us
Admission and application inquiries
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Program inquiries
Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts
501 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellor's Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V5 Canada
economics@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9207