Programs

GRADUATE STUDIES IN ECONOMICS

Admissions

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For admission into the PhD or MA program, applicants must fulfill normal university admission procedures and the following requirements:

PhD Program Admission Requirements

1. Must have achieved at least a B+ average or equivalent in their Master’s studies in Economics or a related field of study at a recognized university in North America or abroad*.
2. Provide two academic letters of reference from former instructors at the MA or equivalent level.
3. Provide a statement of interest.
4. Foreign applicants must provide proof of proficiency in the English language, such as scores of the TOEFL test or any other equivalent test that is acceptable to the School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson University. A general GRE test score of quantitative and verbal competency may also be required.

*Applicants with Master’s degrees in fields other than economics, such as MA or MSc in Finance, MA or MSc in Mathematics, MA or MSc in Mathematical Finance, may apply to the PhD program. They must have achieved at least a B+ average in their respective Master’s studies and have taken some advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics. However, for applicants who do not have an MA or MSc in Economics, it is advisable to apply to the MA in International Economics and Finance. Applicants from fields other than economics must fulfill the requirements (b), (c) and (d) if applicable. An admissions committee appointed by the GPD will evaluate the complete file of each applicant and decide on acceptance/rejection of the applicant into the PhD program.

MA Program Admission Requirements

1. Have achieved a minimum of at least a B+ average (or equivalent) in their last four semesters (or terms) of undergraduate study in a four-year honours program (or equivalent).
2. Provide two letters of recommendation. Students applying for the full-time program must provide letters of recommendation from former instructors (post-secondary level); while those applying for the part-time program may substitute one letter from their current employer for one of the academic references.
3. Provide a Statement of Interest.
4. Demonstrate that they have the necessary background to pursue masters’ level graduate work in international economics and finance. Normally, this would be an undergraduate degree in economics or a commerce degree. The students should be familiar with the undergraduate course content of intermediate macro and microeconomic theory, econometrics, calculus and linear algebra, international economics and finance.
5. Include in your application package, two official undergraduate and, where applicable, graduate transcripts, from each post-secondary institution attended.  Official transcripts are transcripts received by the Graduate Admissions Office in a sealed/stamped envelope directly from the issuing institution.  Do not open the envelope(s.  Transcripts received in an unsealed envelope cannot be considered official.  Photocopies/student copies of transcripts will not be accepted
6. Applicants whose language of instruction during their undergraduate studies was a language other than English are required to submit a test of English language proficiency.

For further details regarding application procedures and requirements please visit the Graduate Admissions website at: www.ryerson.ca/graduate/admissions