Master of Arts in Business Economics (MABE) Co-op

Sample Job Descriptions:

Deloitte LLP, Toronto
Transfer Pricing Analyst
Work closely with a group of economists and international corporate tax practitioners to assist multinational corporations in determining transfer prices by providing them with economic and financial analysis. Provide other services, including audit defence, international tax planning, structuring and financial design, and litigation support.

Industry Canada, Ottawa
Junior Economist
  Work with a team of economists within the economic analysis unit to examine and evaluate data sources, derive estimates for key economic variables and perform industrial analysis. Draft, enhance, develop and present information products related to the branch.

Insurance Bureau of Canada, Toronto
Research Associate
  Research and analyze economic data on the financial services sector and the property and casualty insurance industry. Produce policy papers, provide support for public speaking engagements, and participate in conferences and research forums.

The Economical Insurance Group, Waterloo
Investment Associate
Analyze economic data as it applies to the company’s portfolio and form outlooks on the North American economy. Review daily quote sheets for potential trading opportunities, design and maintain spreadsheets to exploit arbitrage opportunities, perform equity research and conduct corporate prospectus analysis.

Applying

Students in the Master of Arts in Business Economics who wish to pursue the co-op option must indicate this choice on their Personal Information Form by checking the appropriate box. In addition to the Personal Information Form, students applying for the co-op option should submit a resume. Based on the personal interview form, resume, and transcripts, students may be selected for an interview by a co-op administrator. The decision to admit to the co-op stream is based on the applicant’s academic record, resume, interview performance, recent work experience, and recent volunteer service and extracurricular activities. Offers of admission to the co-op option will be made in conjunction with offers of admission to the MABE program.  

Work Terms

The development of suitable work-term employment for co-op students is under the direction of the Department of Co-operative Education. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to conduct interviews on campus. Students prepare for the job search by attending workshops and individual counselling sessions.

Although employment cannot be guaranteed, every effort is made to ensure that suitable employment is available for students admitted to the option. Each position is approved as a suitable learning situation, and students are engaged in productive work. Their progress is monitored by the Co-op Office and their performance is supervised and evaluated by their employers. Students are compensated by their employer for work performed.

After completing two academic terms, students aim to embark on a work term beginning in May. Students may pursue an eight-month term ending in December, or one four-month work term, or two four-month work terms. Towards the end of the work term, students discuss their experience in a work term report. (See guidelines on writing a work term report.)

To obtain the co-op designation, students must successfully complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the option. Students successfully completing the option will have the notation of "Co-operative Option" appended to their transcripts and noted on their degree. No academic credit is given for participation in co-op.

After their work term(s), MABE Co-op students return to campus for a final academic term.

MABE Co-op Work/Study Sequence

The Academic Program:

The program has a strong emphasis on applied economics, and is designed specifically to develop business economists for careers in economic forecasting, economic policy analysis, industry and market studies, financial economics, strategic planning, and public policy.

Specific features of the program curriculum which distinguish it from a standard MA program in Economics include required courses in empirical research methods and data sources, economic forecasting, and the use of case studies in microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis. The program also requires that students write a major research paper which can be based on research begun during the work term.

The required courses provide students with advanced knowledge in economic theory, applied economic analysis, quantitative and econometric methods, and empirical research and information sources. These courses are geared toward the development of written and oral communication skills which form an integral part of the graduation requirement.

Elective courses include international trade policy, international finance, economic evaluation including cost-benefit analysis, and labour economics. Most students take advantage of the opportunity to include up to three graduate business (MBA) course as electives, usually in finance.

For more detail on academics, please go to the Graduate Calendar.

See information about the MABE program on the SBE Web site.