Economics (BA)

The study of Economics will provide an understanding of economic concepts and the functioning of the economy in addition to the ability to apply economic analysis in problem solving. The Economics Department strives to provide a program which gives students rigorous training in both economic theory and applications.

Why Consider an Economics Major?

• A degree in Economics can be the gateway to many careers. Professional economists are employed as advisors and researchers in both business and government and as teachers and researchers in academic institutions. Employment as an Economist generally requires the completion of graduate studies beyond the bachelor’s degree. Western’s graduates in Economics hold a variety of jobs in business and teaching. In addition, many of Economics graduates have had a high success rate for admissions to professional schools in law and business.

Sample Careers

• Actuary/Banking
• Financial Planner/Analyst
• Urban/Regional Planner
• Economic Researcher
• Corporate Attorney
• Financial Economist
• Real Estate
• Business Management
• Insurance Consultant

How to declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

• Students planning to major in Economics should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western. Completion of the CBE foundation courses is not required to declare a major in economics.

Admission to programs in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) is selective and based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise. For admission to CBE as a full Economics major, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
• Achieved a 2.5 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work)

Grade Requirements

• A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Choose one course from:

• DSCI 205 - Business Statistics Credits: 4
• MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
• MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference Credits: 4
• ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 4 (HNRS 209 - Colloquium in Microeconomics may be taken in place of ECON 206)
• ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Credits: 4
• ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought Credits: 4
• ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics Credits: 4
• ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Credits: 4
• ECON 375 - Introduction to Econometrics Credits: 4

One course from:

• MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I Credits: 5
• MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics Credits: 4
• MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors Credits: 5
• MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus Credits: 5 (or AP Calculus Exam with a score of 3 or better)

One course from:

• MIS 220 - Introduction to Business Computer Systems Credits: 2
• CSCI 101 - Computers and Applications Credits: 4

32 credits of electives in CBE, under departmental advisement; at least 24 of these credits must be upper-division credits in economics; a minimum of 16 of these 24 credits must be at the 400 level

Take one Communication Focus - Economics (CF-E) or a Communication Focus (CF) course within the College of Business and Economics, and a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses (WP-3 points) at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. The CF-E/CF and WP courses must be taken within CBE and can be completed as part of the above required and elective courses, prior to graduation. Consult Browse Classes for the specific course sections that fulfill the CF-E/CF and WP requirements.

Note: ECON 309, ECON 446 and ECON 447 may not be counted toward this major.