Major in Economics
The Economics & Business Department has revised the old, 2015 Economics major to the 2021 Economics Major and introduced its newest major, Business, Economics, and Society
Economics Major
Preregistration - Fall 2023
- Please review Economics Major Requirements on the course catalog site.
- Please review this list of courses that satisfy Part E of the Economics Major Requirements. Additionally, please see this grid of Part E courses offered in AY '23-'24.
The objective of the major in Economics is to develop a general knowledge of how economies function to allocate scarce resources. By applying economic theories of decision-making and coordination to public policy issues, majors will gain an understanding of the operation of the United States and other economies and of their interactions. Specialization in economics is valuable to students who intend to enter business or government service. For many positions with federal or state governments, training in economics or related social sciences is required. Moreover, undergraduate specialization in economics is the first step for students who wish to make a career of college teaching of economics or who wish to secure positions as professional economists with business or government. To hold such positions, graduate study of economics is usually required.
The Economics major also hopes to shape effective citizens by promoting knowledge of structures and processes central to democratic society in a global age and by addressing issues of economic inequality and social injustice. This goal contributes to the college’s commitment to the liberal arts, and it reinforces the college’s anti-racism agenda and its efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
Key Documents and Links
Course of Study and Major Declaration
Review the 2021 Economics Major Requirements for a full picture of the course of study.
Visit the Econ Major Course Catalog for a list of all courses that count toward the major.
To declare your major, visit the Registrar's Office or complete the Major Declaration Form online.
For all students who declared an Economics Major before AY 2021-22, here is the old major requirement form for reference:
2015 Economics Major Requirements (non-declarable)
Other Relevant Links
Visit the Registrar’s Transfer Credit Into CC page for information on getting AP, GCE, and Transfer credit. The site includes AP and GCE score requirements for getting credit toward courses in the major.
IB courses are approved for credit on a case by case basis by the department. If you would like to receive credit for an IB course, please contact the current Department Chair.
Visit the Global Education Office’s Credit Transfer Overview page for information on getting credit for classes taken during study abroad. You must declare your major before you study abroad in order to get credit toward your major from your program.
Notes on the 2015 Economics Major
Students who declared the 2015 Economics Major prior to Academic Year 2021-2022 have three options:
- Continue to fulfill the requirements of the 2015 version of the Economics Major.
- Change their major to 2021 Economics.
- Change their major to Business, Economics, and Society (BESoc).
As a reminder, the 2015 Major in Economics organizes electives in theme-based tracks and requires students to develop expertise in at least two of them.*
The tracks are:
- Business: EC 211-230, 311-330 and 411-429
- Microeconomics: EC 241-260, 341-360, 441-459
- Macroeconomics/International: EC 271-290, 371-390, 471-489
Some courses may count toward more than one theme, as noted in individual course descriptions (e.g. 245, 347, 351, 405, 406, 407). Be sure to ask your advisor for additional clarification.
*The 2021 Economics major does not use theme-based tracks.