Applied Economics and Policy Analysis

Graduate Program Coordinator: Harminder Guliani, PhD

Faculty Listing

The Master of Arts in Applied Economics and Policy Analysis (MAEPA) program has been discontinued effective 201830.

Program Description

There is an identified shortage of individuals that can bring the skills developed in economics programs to policy formulation and analysis. The Master of Arts in Applied Economics and Policy Analysis (MAEPA) represents an important step in meeting that short fall.

The objective of the program is to give students the skills and experience required to serve two roles in the development and implementation of public policy. The first role is that of the so called “Honest Broker”. Individuals in this role offer a range of policy options, and analysis of each option, to the policy debate. The second role is to serve as a “Science Arbiter”. In this role graduates serve to inform the policy makers and stakeholders of developments in economic theory and findings of empirical study as they relate to policy.

To this end the program will develop students with graduate level skills in two key areas. First, students will develop rigorous analytical skills via the use and building of economic models. The second key area is empirical analysis, specifically the application of econometric and other specialized techniques to data. The proposed program is built around delivering these skills to students and having students practice the application of these skills to a variety of policy issues. This program is significantly different from any program currently offered at the University of Regina.

Admission Requirements

Students will be able to fulfill the requirements for admission to the MAEPA in two ways.

First, will be through a standard undergraduate degree that includes a minimum of intermediate theory classes (ECON 301, and 302 or their equivalents), an introductory econometrics course (ECON 321 or the equivalent), and a university level calculus course. Second, students who have completed the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School (JSGS) Master’s Certificate in Economic Analysis for Public Policy (or an equivalent program) will be deemed to have met the minimum requirements for entry into the program. Students who do not meet these requirements or are unsuccessful in their attempt to gain admission due to competition will be invited to take a qualifying year at the University of Regina.

Applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, with the following additions (where applicable):

• An Undergraduate Degree
• Intermediate Level Microeconomic Theory (ECON 301 or an equivalent)
• Intermediate Level Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 302 or an equivalent)
• Introductory Level Econometrics (ECON 321 or an equivalent data analysis course)

Applicants to the MAPEA program must submit a writing sample as part of their application package.  All work must be original and have a clear policy application.  Submissions must be single-sided, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font, and may not exceed 5 pages.  Topics should be selected from the following list: Writing Sample Topics (17 KB)

Program Requirements

The program will consist of three distinct parts, a core of five courses, a series of elective courses (of which students will be required to take two), and a research project. All courses will be three credit hours, while the research project will be nine credit hours. Each portion of the required program is discussed in turn below. In addition, a number of opportunities for students are presented.

Research Project (9 credit hours)

Students will be required to complete a policy project to fulfill the requirements of Econ 900 (Research Project in Economic Policy). Topics would normally be applied (involving statistical analysis) and the paper would be expected to be 40 to 75 pages in length.

Courses

ECON 700 Mathematics for Economics and Basics of Data Management (0)
This non-credit course is a primer for the theory and econometrics courses.  Intensive Mathematical Economics review starts in the first week of September.  The Basics of Data Management workshops are held throughout the semester and focus on applying a structured approach to data analysis using case studies.  Marked as pass/fail.

ECON 801 Microeconomic Theory for Public Policy (3)
The microeconomic tools needed for public policy analysis. Students are introduced to the economic approach to the study of human behaviour. Special emphasis will be placed on the study of the circumstances under which markets achieve, or fail to achieve, an efficient allocation of the economy’s resources.

ECON 802 Macroeconomic Theory for Public Policy (3)
Provides a survey of Canadian public finance. Examines rationales for government intervention in a market economy, the assessment of public policy, how government decisions are made and the impact of government expenditures and taxation on the economy and the well-being of Canadians, in terms of economic efficiency and interpersonal equity.

ECON 824 Econometrics and Data Analysis (3)
Students will perform applied econometric analysis and use various econometric methods. During the course of the semester, the student will deal with various estimation techniques suited to different economic models and types of data.

ECON 830 Policy Analysis and Evaluation (3)
Through extensive use of examples from various policy fields, the study of the art and science of applying economic principles and quantitative techniques in the provision of policy evaluation and advice. The course combined with Econ 824 serves as the gateway to the student’s research project in Econ 900.

ECON 832 Tax Policy and Fiscal Federalism (3)
Topics include the structure and economic impact of personal, corporate, sales, and property taxes, natural resource royalties, the division and coordination of tax bases between levels of government, tax competition, equalization and other intergovernmental transfers, the Social Union Framework Agreement, and international (inter-jurisdictional) tax issues.

ECON 835 Economics of Public Safety (3)
Students will learn analytical methods in economics and apply these methods to problems related to crime and criminal justice system. Major topics include measuring the costs of crime and economic evaluation of crime and crime prevention policies. The emphasis will be placed on the review of empirical studies and policy applications.

ECON 872  Resource And Environmental Economics (3)
Analysis of issues in the management of natural resources and the environment. Topics include optimal use of resources, valuation of non-market goods, taxation of resources, and the control of externalities. Contemporary problems and issues in natural resources and the environment will be explored using the tools developed in the class. Other topics may include; rent collection, scarcity and the limits to growth controversy, pollution and other externalities.

ECON 880 Research and Writing in Economics for Public Policy (3)
Students will focus on a public policy issue and make this the focus of a number of research and writing assignments including public presentations, ministerial briefing notes, research and grant proposals and a research paper. This will serve as a stepping stone for their research project.

ECON 890AA-ZZ Special Topics (3)
Lecture or seminar based courses on topics of current interest.

ECON 895AA-ZZ Directed Reading Courses (3)
Students work independently through an approved set of readings under the supervision of a faculty member. Such courses can be designed to suit the needs of individual students.

ECON 900 Research Project in Applied Economics (1-9)
The student will conduct a faculty-supervised research project, typically involving empirical work or critical analysis of an applied economic problem. The student will be required to present preliminary work and the final project at department seminars. The project will be presented and evaluated according to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research procedures.

ECON 901 Thesis Research (15)
Thesis research.