Students interested in Economics are encouraged to complete the introductory sequence of ECON 101 and ECON 102 in their first year. It is also helpful to complete Calculus I during the first year, because it serves as a prerequisite for the intermediate courses ECON 250 and ECON 251. Students should also take statistics (COMP 146) during the first two years as it is a prerequisite for ECON 272.
The economics major can be completed in fewer than four years, but it is almost impossible to complete the major in less than three years.
Placement Information
Most students who are interested in majoring in economics should take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if you any of the following are true:
- You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam;
- You receive an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;
- You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university.
Students who have AP or IB HL economics scores, or have taken economics courses at another college or university, should see the Transfer Credit Policies section for the Economics Major in the Catalog.
Sample 4-Year Plan
| Fall | Spring | |
| Year 1 | Fall FYS course Core Requirement (4 units) Core Requirement (4 units) Language 101 or General Elective (4 units) |
Spring FYS course 100- or 200-level CSLC Elective Core Requirement (4 units) Language 102 (4 or 5 units) |
| Year 2 | CSLC 200 (CPGC) or CSLC 201 Language 201 Core Requirement General Elective (4 units) |
CSLC 200 (CPGC) or CSLC 201 Language 202 or 300-level Language Core Requirement Core Requirement |
| Year 3 | 100- or 200-level CSLC Elective 300-level Language General Elective (4 units) General Elective (4 units) |
Interdisciplinary Elective 300-level Language General Elective (4 units) General Elective (4 units) |
| Year 4 | CSLC 490 (Senior Seminar, 2 units) 300-level Language or General Elective General Elective (4 units) General Elective (4 units) |
CSLC 490 (Senior Seminar, 2 units) Interdisciplinary Elective General Elective (4 units) General Elective (4 units) |
Curricular Notes
- Students must complete ECON 101, ECON 102, and Calculus 1 prior to taking ECON 250 and ECON 251.
- ECON 250 and ECON 251 can be taken in any order, but should not be taken during the same semester.
- ECON 250 is a prerequisite for most of the 300-level Economics electives.
- Prior to taking ECON 272, students must have completed Calculus 1, Statistics (or equivalent), ECON 102, and one additional ECON course. The introductory statistics prerequisite can be met with any of: COMP 146, MATH 150, PSYC 201, BIO 268, an AP Stats score of 4 or 5, an IB exam score of 6 or 7, or an equivalent course (with instructor permission).
- 300-level ECON electives can be reviewed, here.
Economics Transfer Student Advice
Transfer students should contact the department chair two weeks before registration for transfer-specific advising information.