B.A. in Economics

undergraduate female student

The Economics Program has four main objectives:

  • Articulate an understanding of economic terms, concepts, and theories.
  • Identify subjective and objective aspects of economic policy.
  • Use both qualitative and quantitative reasoning to analyze social and economic issues.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of current and historic economic issues and perspectives.

Each of our economic faculty members bring to their teaching a rich background of practical experience analyzing policy issues and problems. This faculty experience, combined with small classes and close relationships to the North Bay economic community, create a unique learning environment for students.

See Schedule of Courses

Degree Requirements

To complete the Economics degree, students must complete GE, Major (Prerequisites & Core Courses), and General Electives requirements. Upper division Economics courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor. 

  • General Education (48 units, 12 in major): 36 units
  • Major Requirements: 45-48 units
  • General Electives: 36-38 units

Total Units Needed for Graduation: 120 units

Sample 4-Year Degree Plan

Major Requirements

Prerequisite Courses

Economics majors and minors must take Math 165, BUS 211, another equivalent basic statistics course, or an approved substitute as a prerequisite for ECON 304, 305, and 317. Students contemplating graduate school should take Math 161 (Calculus I) and other math classes after consultation with a faculty advisor.

Core Courses

  • ECON 204 Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 units)
  • ECON 205 Introduction to Microeconomics (4 units)
  • ECON 217 Statistics for Economics and Business (4 units)
  • ECON 304 Macroeconomic Theory (4 units)
  • ECON 305 Microeconomic Theory (4 units)
  • ECON 317 Introduction to Econometrics (4 units)
  • Two 400-level economics seminars (8 units) 

Total Units in the major core: 32 units

Additional Major Courses Required

To complete the major, students must complete four additional upper division ECON courses consisting of 15-16 units. These courses are in addition to the core requirements and should be selected in consultation with an advisor. The Total units for the major are 45-48 units.

Double Majors

Students with majors in disciplines such as political science will find that adding an economics major (double majoring) provides them with a breadth of background that is viewed favorably by graduate professional programs and employers. For the teaching credential, majors must pass the Subject Assessment Examination in the social sciences or complete an approved subject matter preparation program in social science. 

Double Major in Economics and another degree program: Students pursuing a double major in Economics must update their ARR with the chair to ensure courses are counted properly towards your degree. For the Economics portion of the double major, the student must complete the core course requirements for the Economics major and one additional upper division Economics elective in consultation with an advisor. 

Be sure to fill out major/minor contracts with both departments, regardless of planned program.

Career Possibilities

Economics
  • Consulting; Research: Local, State, and 
  • Federal Government Agencies
Banking and Finance
  • Financial Analysis, Commercial Banking, 
  • Credit Analysis, Operations Securities
Insurance
  • Claims, Underwriting, Risk Management
Sales Management
  • Person-to-Person and Business-to-Business sales management in all industries 
Management
  • Business and industry
Education
  •  Teaching, Research

 

Minor in Economics

Students may qualify for a minor by completing the 24-unit core requirements in the Economics major. The Minor in Economics will be recorded upon request in the student's official records.

More about the Minor in Economics