Master of Development Economics (MDE)

The Department of Economics hosts this innovative program of graduate studies in social and economic development. The program is primarily designed for students and young professionals pursuing, or intending to embark on, careers in government, educational and professional institutions, private corporations, or non-governmental organizations.

Information on how to apply can be found on the Applying for Graduate Studies webpage.
After completing the online application, please complete the course requirement form. [PDF 209KB]
For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit  Application Procedures / FAQ.

Length of Program (effective September 1, 2019)

 

One year with a bachelor's degree and sufficient preparation in economics (see below).
Those with insufficient background in economics may be admitted to the MDE program with additional course requirements to satisfy the gap in economics preparation, which may extend the degree beyond one year. Alternatively, such students may be given the option of a Qualifying Year or Special Undergraduate Year to prepare them to qualify for admission to the MDE program.

Program Description

Students have three required courses:

  • ECON 5000: Development Microeconomics
  • ECON 5001: Economic Growth OR ECON 5253: Open Economy Macroeconomics
  • ECON 5254: Applied Development Economics

Students can take either 5 electives or 3 electives plus a thesis. A thesis must be approved by a supervisor and the graduate coordinator. One elective must be in economics, but the remainder can be graduate courses in other departments with the permission of the graduate coordinator.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements can be found in the Graduate Calendar.  Candidates for the one-year MDE program must have a four-year (i.e., 20 credit) BA, BSc or Bcomm degree with an average of at least B+ (upper second class) at Dalhousie standards. All candidates must have at least

  • introductory micro and macro economics
  • intermediate micro and macro economics
  • at least two senior economics field courses
  • statistics
  • calculus.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies sets the minimum admission standards that are required for entry into graduate programs.

Application forms can be found under Dalhousie admissions for graduate studies.

Deadlines

  • Canadian students: your application (including application fee) for admission to the Graduate Studies program must be received by the university no later than May 1 for a September start date (all supporting documents shoud be received by June 1).  However, if you are applying for scholarships and departmental funding, your application (including application fee) must be completed by December 31 and all supporting documents should be received by January 31.
  • Non-Canadian students: your application (including application fee) for admission to the Graduate Studies program must be received by the university no later than March 1 for a September start date. All supporting documents should be received by April 1. However, if you are applying for scholarships and departmental funding, your application (including application fee) must be completed by December 31 and all suppporting documents should be received by January 31.   

Contact information

Subject Code: ECON
Tel: 902-494-2026
Email: economic@dal.ca
Address: 6214 University Avenue
PO Box 15000
Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 4R2
Graduate Coordinator: Dozie Okoye
Graduate Coordinator Tel: 902-494-4453
Graduate Coordinator Email: econgrad@dal.ca
Website:

Economics Website