Master of Arts in Business Economics
The MA program in business economics is available through both a Regular and a Co-operative Education option. This program prepares economists for a career where specialization is required in economic forecasting, economic policy analysis, industry and market studies, financial economics, strategic planning, and public policy and business. Combining a specific focus on business economics with advanced training in economic theory, quantitative methods and applied research, the program also prepares students for doctoral studies.
Each student must complete the equivalent of 9 one-term courses. The equivalent of six half-credit courses are required, while three are electives. Students must complete three of the core courses in term one before proceeding to term two. At least one elective must be from the economics department. Students may take one extra half-credit course in any academic term, subject to the approval of the Graduate Officer. A student may take at most three electives from graduate courses in the MBA program.
The required courses provide students with advanced knowledge in economic theory, applied economic analysis, and quantitative methods. They are also designed to ensure that all students have a similar graduate experience, and achieve a comprehensive knowledge of their field, thus fulfilling the university's comprehensive requirement for MA candidates.
Term 1 (Fall): EC620 - Microeconomics I, EC640 - Macroeconomics I, EC655 - Econometrics
Term 2 (Winter): EC665 - Forecasting, Time Series Analysis, and Survey Design, two elective courses, at least one of which is an economics elective
Term 3 (Spring or Winter): One elective course; EC681* - Research Paper and Seminar
Co-operative Option Requirements
Students applying to the Master of Arts in business economics program who wish to pursue the co-op option must indicate this choice on their Personal Information form (see the Application Checklist) by checking the appropriate box. In addition to the Personal Information form and other required application materials, students must submit a résumé. Selected students will be interviewed by a co-op administrator, who will provide an assessment on the suitability for the co-op option to the Admissions Committee based on the applicant's academic record, interview performance, recent work experience, recent volunteer service to their community, and extracurricular activities at university. Offers of admission to the co-op option will be made in conjunction with offers to the program as the program fills. Co-op students support the administration of the Laurier Co-op program by paying fees in the fall and winter terms of year one.
The Co-op Office supports participants in their job search efforts and preparation for interview through workshops and individual attention. After completing two academic terms, co-op students embark on either
- One 4-month work term, or
- One 8-month work term.
If students do one 4-month work term,
it takes place during the spring (May to August) term. Students doing
one 8-month work term do so between May and December. In order to
proceed to their first work term, all co-op students must be in good
academic standing and must have completed all of the core requirements
of term one and term two. Towards the end of the work term, students
discuss their experience in a work term report that will be reviewed by a
co-op administrator and the graduate officer of the Department of
Economics.
After their work term, co-op students
return to campus for a final academic term in the academic term after
their final work term concludes.
Additional information pertaining to Co-operative Education is located in the General Regulations of the Graduate Academic Calendar.
