Economics (BA)

The Department of Economics has one core mission: to train both graduate and undergraduate students in the economic way of thinking and market process. Our internationally recognized faculty will guide your exploration of economic theory, equipping you with the analytical decision-making skills to prepare you to succeed in careers in business, public policy, government service, data management, as well as providing a solid foundation for future doctoral studies in economics.

Economics is a general program, flexible enough to allow for a variety of student objectives. The Economics BA has 17 units of open electives. These elective units give students the flexibility to supplement the thinking skills developed in economics with technical skills developed in such fields as finance, marketing, and public relations. A bachelor degree in economics serves as an excellent springboard to an MBA or law degree.

Summary of Degree Units

• University Graduation Requirements 47
• Major Preparation 6
• Major Core Requirements    26
• Upper Division Economics Electives 24
• University Electives 17

Program Roadmaps

• The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

• All courses required in the major (Preparation, Core, Area Courses, and major electives) must be completed with a minimum grade of “C-“. 

University Requirements

• Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements, which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education, American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations).

Core Lower Division General Education (30 units)

• Of the 39 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Note: Students who have completed the ADT Transfer degree (under SB 1440) for this major will have completed all lower division GE requirements and should follow the 60 unit guarantee roadmap. Meet with an advisor prior to registering for your first semester for the 60 unit roadmap or specific questions.

Upper Division General Education (9 units)

• Of the 9 units required by the university, 0 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

• Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.
• The American Studies (AMS 1A/AMS 1B; 12 units) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A/HUM 1B/HUM 2A/HUM 2B; 24 units) sequences satisfy the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).