As an ERDE student you will obtain proficiency in economic analysis, and apply this knowledge to issues surrounding low-income communities, resource use, and the environment. You will learn from dedicated faculty who are captivated by these topics, and conduct cutting edge research in these areas. The demand for professional economists with strong analytical skills and practical knowledge in the area of sustainable development has been growing. The ERDE program caters to this demand on the part of employers, whether in the public, private or nongovernmental sectors.

Students must hold, or reasonably expect to hold by September, an Honours Bachelor's degree in Economics. The minimum acceptable Cumulative Grade Point Average is 3.0 out of a possible 4.0. The normal admission criterion is an Honours undergraduate degree in economics with a strong quantitative background. Students typically enter the ERDE program having already taken Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, Calculus, Econometrics and Statistics as part of their undergraduate degree. Applicants without sufficient background in economics may be admitted to a Qualifying Year. The Department of Economics will assess degrees earned outside Canada to determine their equivalency.