Economics - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The economics major provides a highly structured experience that develops increasing levels of sophistication. It begins with courses in economic principles, continues to intermediate courses in economic theory and empirical practice, and culminates with rigorous courses in the applied fields of economics. Successful graduates are well-equipped to perform economic analysis in most commercial and policy settings, and to continue on to graduate school.

Special Emphasis Options

The Department of Economics offers four enhanced major tracks for students who have a relatively high GPA and want to focus their upper-division coursework in a specific area of interest. Interested students must have completed at least 6 credit hours of economics coursework at CU in order to declare the special emphasis. Students must have completed two out of three intermediate-level courses (ECON 3070, ECON 3080 and/or ECON 3818) with a minimum of 3.00 GPA in these courses, and must also have a minimum of 3.00 GPA in economics coursework at CU by the time of declaration and completion of the special emphasis. Requirements are listed on the Department of Economics website.

Environmental and Natural Resources Emphasis

The environmental and natural resources emphasis is designed for economics majors who are considering careers in fields requiring a thorough understanding of a broad range of issues associated with business practices and public policies addressing natural resource use and environmental quality, including environmental regulation and compliance: energy production and consumption, development of energy transportation, urban, rural and regional infrastructures.

International Emphasis 

The international emphasis is designed for students who have an interest in courses with an international perspective both within economics and outside the department. Courses in international trade and finance are combined with selections of international courses in related social science disciplines. This program may be of particular interest to students seeking careers in international business, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies.

Public Policy Emphasis 

The public policy emphasis is designed for students who have an interest in taking courses with a public policy perspective both within economics and outside the department. Courses in public economics are combined with selections of public policy oriented courses from various social sciences. This emphasis is recommended for students with interests in public policy seeking careers in local, state, national or international agencies.

Quantitative Emphasis 

The quantitative emphasis is designed for well-qualified majors with an interest in theoretical and/or applied mathematics. Economics courses in quantitative methods are combined with courses from the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Applied Mathematics. This program may be of interest to students planning to pursue graduate studies in economics or those seeking a career in applied quantitative research.

Requirements

Required Courses and Credits

Students must complete at least 33 credit hours of economics courses. The math requirement does not count toward either the minimum total economics credit requirement or in the major GPA calculation. At least 24 credit hours must be upper-division courses. Students transferring two 3-credit principles courses must complete at least 27 credit hours of upper-division economics.

All required major courses and the required mathematics course must be passed with a C- or better and cannot be taken pass/fail. No more than 45 credits in ECON may be applied to overall graduation requirements. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate.

Note: Transfer students majoring in economics must complete at least 12 credit hours of upper-division economics courses at CU Boulder.

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in economics, students should to the extent feasible and in consultation with their economics advisor, follow the plan-of-study grid and declare economics as a major by the beginning of the second semester.

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

Through the required coursework for the major, students will complete all 12 credits of the the Social Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, as well as the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement.

Learning Outcomes 

The undergraduate degree in economics emphasizes the following preferred learning outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of microeconomic theory tools.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of macroeconomic theory tools.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of statistical analysis tools.
• Students will apply economic tools to new contexts such as poliy analysis and discussion of world events.