MA and PhD academic requirements for our graduate program can be found at the Faculty of Graduate Studies—Program Requirements.
There are two general requirements for the Master’s degree: a mathematics course requirement and graduate program courses. Students are expected to complete all degree requirements in two academic terms.
Mathematics Pre-Requisite Course Requirement
Students must demonstrate competence in Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Statistics by enrolling in the GS Economic 5000 0.0 Mathematics for Economists course and obtain a passing grade.
The Mathematics Course Requirement will not be included among the eight half-courses required for the Master’s degree.
Note: This course is evaluated as a Pass/No Pass course and is not to be included as part of the 24 credits required.
The MA program is a one-year program which begins in mid-August with the GS Economic 5000 0.0 Mathematics for Economists course. Classes for the Mathematics course begin in mid-August and are held each day from Monday to Friday – 8:30 – 11:30 am with tutorials from 12:30 – 2:30 pm for a three-week period. The final exam is scheduled at the end of the course and each student must receive a pass in order to continue in the MA program.
Courses
Master’s students must satisfactorily complete eight graduate half-courses (or equivalently 24 credits) selected in consultation with the Program Director. Specific program course requirements are described below in 1 through 6.
- A Microeconomics course, ECON 5010 3.0,
- A Macroeconomics course, ECON 5011 3.0,
- An Econometrics course, ECON 5025 3.0,
- Five additional elective courses are offered in the Economics Graduate Program,
- Students may take one elective half course (3 credits) from a graduate program outside of Economics subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director,
- Students can take PhD-level courses; ECON 5100, ECON 6100, ECON 5110, ECON 6110, ECON 6220, and ECON 6250 as a substitute for a compulsory or elective course in (1) to (4), subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director.
M.A. students should verify their eight course and degree requirements in consultation with the Program Director during the group advising session.
There are two general requirements for the Master’s degree: a mathematics course requirement and graduate program courses. Students are expected to complete all degree requirements in two academic terms.
There are four requirements for the Doctoral degree:
- Courses
Satisfactory performance in eight graduate half courses or seminars chosen in consultation with the director (as described below); - Comprehensive Examinations
Satisfactory performance on written comprehensive examinations; one in Microeconomic theory, one in Macroeconomic theory, one in Econometrics, and one in an area of specialization from the listing below; - Research Paper
Preparation of one research paper (to be approved by the program); and - Dissertation
A satisfactory dissertation.
All students should verify degree requirements at the time of registration. Each candidate’s program of study and research is guided and approved by the Program Director. Candidates are sometimes encouraged to take selected courses outside of Economics.
Satisfactory performance is required in eight graduate half courses or seminars (24 credits) chosen with the approval of the Director. These courses must include Economics 5100 3.0, Economics 5110 3.0, Economics 6220 3.0, Economics 6100 3.0, Economics 6110 3.0 and Economics 6250 3.0. (If equivalent courses were completed at the MA level with grades of B+ or better, the latter requirement can be waived and other courses substituted).
In addition, a student must take two of the three courses, Economics 7100 3.0, Economics 7110 3.0 and Economics 7220 3.0. Satisfactory performance and registration are required in the PhD Research Seminar course Economics 7000 0.0. in each year of registration starting from the third year.
Students must successfully complete the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics Theory comprehensive examinations within 13 months of enrolling in the program, and the comprehensive examinations in the Econometrics core and a Field area within 25 months.
The doctoral program offers study in the following fields:
- econometrics
- monetary economics
- industrial organization
- International money and finance
- International trade
- applied economic theory
The comprehensive exam in the elected field comprises two components: a written exam component and a research paper component. The research paper should be prepared (in consultation with a supervisor) and regarded as a dissertation prospectus. By the second year of enrolment in the PhD program, a student should (a) have finished the theory comprehensive exams (b) be finished (or nearly so) the field exams (c) have chosen a dissertation field and supervisor (in consultation with the Director) and supervisory committee and (d) have prepared a written research paper to present to the program at a scheduled seminar date.
At this stage, a dissertation proposal should be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. A student should consult the Program Office for regulations regarding dates and procedures for the preparation of a proposal and subsequent dissertation.
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Economics at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.