Samer Atallah, PhD Economics (l.), and Sherif Nashaat, MSc Mathematics, throw around some ideas on a hot summer day.
Claudio Calligaris

Studying Economics

McGill offers both M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Economics. Approximately thirty-five to forty students per year register for the M.A. program, and ten or so for the Ph.D. program. M.A. students take a set of courses in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and quantitative methods, as well as optional courses drawn from several fields of study. M.A. students also complete a research project or thesis. Most students are able to complete the M.A. in 12 months (September to August). Most graduates of the M.A. program find employment working as economists in the public or private sector. Some continue to the Ph.D. program at McGill or another university.

Students entering McGill as Ph.D. students normally take two years of course work before they complete their comprehensive examinations. Students entering from the McGill M.A. program should be ready to take their comprehensive exams within twelve months. Graduates of the Ph.D. program find employment in a variety of academic and non-academic positions. (See the alumni section of the website for information about many of McGill’s Ph.D. graduates.)

Students with a strong academic background, but limited training in Economics, may be admitted as Qualifying Year students. Upon successful completion of approved coursework (with minimum grades as described below) over the September-April academic year, these students enter the M.A. program in September. QY students must apply to the MA program.

All students must enroll on a full-time basis (at least 12 credits per term) from the start of the academic year.