PEP Online Training Program: Applied Development Economics

In collaboration with Université Laval in Canada, the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) is offering three online distance-learning courses from January 13 to April 17, 2020. The three courses are:

Course 1:        Policy Impact Analysis

Course 2:        Computable General Equilibrium Modelling

Course 3:        Measuring and Alleviating Poverty and Inequality

On successful completion of each course, Université Laval will provide students with an official transcript. Université Laval will award a graduate microprogram certificate to students who complete all three courses within a maximum of four years. We expect to offer these courses again in 2021 and hopefully many more years to come, but have not yet received formal approval from Université Laval on this.

Course content

Course 1:   Policy Impact Analysis 
Policy impact analysis is used to determine which policies, interventions and programs work, for whom, and in what circumstances. This course provides practical guidelines for designing and implementing various types of experimental and non-experimental techniques, including how to select the appropriate technique for each context. This course takes an applied, non-technical approach. Participants should have a working knowledge of basic statistics, particularly key concepts such as regression analysis. View the draft course syllabus (subject to change).

Course 2:  Computable General Equilibrium Modelling
Computable general equilibrium models are powerful analytical tools used widely in both developing and developed countries. This course introduces all aspects of this type of modeling, both theoretical and applied. At the end of this course, participants will be able to develop, program and use a computable general equilibrium model. View the draft course syllabus (subject to change).

Course 3: Measuring and Alleviating Poverty and Inequality 
Poverty and Inequality reduction is a central objective of economic policies in both developed and developing countries. This course introduces the main theoretical and empirical aspects of the economic analysis of poverty and inequality: distributive analysis, poverty and inequality measures and profiles, multidimensional poverty, robustness, pro-poor growth and policies, poverty alleviation, targeting criteria and the distributive effects of price changes and tax reforms. Each theoretical class is accompanied with practices on real data. Participants should have a working knowledge of basic statistics. View the draft course syllabus (subject to change).

Registration

This announcement concerns members of the public NOT already regularly enrolled at Université Laval and residing in Canada. For those enrolled at Université Laval, please contact us at info@pep-net.org

Registration for the 2020 courses must be completed by October 31, 2019. The number of places is limited and candidates will be selected on the basis of their application form and CV. Decisions will be communicated by November 14, 2019, and selected participants will be expected to pay their course fees in full by November 28, 2019, failing which their spot can be offered to candidates on the waiting list. Instructions for payment will be provided with acceptance letters on November 14, 2019. Note that no funding is available, so please register only if you are sure you have adequate funding from your own or external sources.

• $US 600 per course for participants who are nationals and residents of a developing country
• $US 1200 per course for all other participants

To apply to participate in the course:

• Register on the PEP web site and post your CV in your profile
• Complete and send the application form to info@pep-net.org with the subject line “PEP online courses”
  To do so:

• Download the application form
• Complete all sections
• Please note, for your application to be considered, you must respond “yes” to the question “If selected, I will pay in full the advertised course fees within two weeks of the date of my acceptance letter”

• Save the completed form to your computer
• Send your completed application via email to info@pep-net.org with the subject line “PEP online courses”

FAQ

Am I eligible to participate? 
Participants must hold an undergraduate degree in economics or related fields.

What language are the courses in?
The courses will be offered in English and French.

Are there scholarships for students who are interested but cannot afford the fees due to financial constraints?
Unfortunately, we currently have no funding available to provide scholarships, although we hope to be able to do so in the future. Please note, for your application to be considered, you must respond “yes” to the question “If selected, I will pay in full the advertised course fees within two weeks of the date of my acceptance letter” in the application form.

Is it possible to take more than one course in a year? 
It is possible to take more than one course per year. However, be aware that we calculate that you will need to devote at least five hours per week to each course.

How quickly can one complete the full program of three courses?
Courses are offered once a year, January-April. It is possible to take more than one course per year, but be aware that we calculate that you will need to devote roughly five hours per week to each course. We intend to offer the courses again in 2021 but have not yet received formal approval from Université Laval for this. If approved (we have no reason to doubt this), you could successfully complete two courses in 2020 and one in 2021, or vice versa, in order to finish in a period of 16 months: i.e. January 2020-April 2021.

How are courses organized?
The courses are organized as a series of weekly lessons (narrated PowerPoint presentations) with accompanying readings. Depending on the course, exercises and evaluations are to be completed every week or two, and one or two more exams may be taken. A forum is provided where you can ask questions of the instructor and interact with other course participants. More details on specific courses are provided in the draft syllabi, which are available through a link at the end of the short course descriptions above.

More information here