A new master’s program in applied economics policy has boosted graduate enrolment in economics.
Canada’s economy may have met the technical definition of recession earlier this year, but UWindsor economics is booming, says department head Nurlan Turdaliev, with more than 80 students enrolled in its graduate programs, and course enrolment up five percent over last year.
The department is offering a set of new courses—Life Choices and Economics, Games and Behaviour, Microeconomics for the Real World—designed to provide a non-technical approach for students majoring in arts and social sciences, and has added two new assistant professors, Michael Batu and Yahong Zhang.
The traditional master of arts program boasts more than 50 students in its one- and two-year streams, says its director, professor Marcelo Arbex
“The program offers a rigorous training that prepares students for doctoral study and work in the non-academic sectors,” Dr. Arbex says. “Small class sizes give students the opportunity to work closely—in and out of the classroom—with faculty members.”
The inaugural class in the Master of Applied Economics Policy program has 23 students. Intended primarily for students who want advanced training in economics to qualify for jobs in government or private organizations, it aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“These are very exciting times for the Department of Economics,” says Dr. Turdaliev.