Program Overview

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Economics, BS

Overview

Economics is about more than money and profits. It is a way of looking at the world through the lens of incentives, choices, and markets to help uncover new solutions to the persistent problems in our society. This economic perspective sheds light on important issues in the areas of production, education, crime, the environment, international trade, immigration, health care, economic growth, poverty, and more. The Bachelor of Science in Economics provides a stronger emphasis on quantitative analysis. Students prepare for a career as an analyst in government, consulting, trade associations, or other private sector positions, and for graduate school in economics or more quantitative business administration programs.

Policies

Students pursuing this degree must complete a minimum of 59 credits of required coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students completing a concentration will complete additional credits.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: LA-BS-ECON

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Some economics courses may fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. Check with the departmental advising office for more information.

Core Courses without Concentration

Required Courses

• ECON 103: Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (with a grade of C or above) (3 credits)
• ECON 104: Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (with a grade of C or above) (3 credits)
• ECON 306: Intermediate Microeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 309: Economic Problems and Public Policies (3 credits)
• ECON 311: Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 345: Introduction to Econometrics (3 credits)
• MATH 113: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) (4 credits)
• MATH 114: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 credits) Total Credits: 26

Statistics

• Select one from the following:
  • STAT 250: Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • STAT 350: Introductory Statistics II (3 credits)
  • STAT 344: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)
  • STAT 354: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II (3 credits) Total Credits: 6

Additional Course

• ACCT 203: Survey of Accounting (3 credits)
• or STAT 362: Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages (3 credits) Total Credits: 3

Electives without Concentration

• Electives:
  • Select 18 credits of electives from courses in economics at the 300 or 400 level (18 credits)
  • Select 6 credits of electives from courses in economics at the 400 level or higher (6 credits) Total Credits: 24

Optional Concentrations

Students interested in a degree in economics with a concentration will complete the coursework for one of the concentrations below.

Available Concentrations

• Concentration in Managerial Economics (MECN)
• Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

Concentration in Managerial Economics (MECN)

Students who wish to focus their BS in economics for application in the business world may choose to pursue a concentration in managerial economics. They complete 60 credits, 10 of which may be used also to fulfill Mason Core requirements.

Required Courses

• ECON 103: Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• ECON 104: Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• ECON 306: Intermediate Microeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 308: Managerial Economics and Strategy (3 credits)
• ECON 309: Economic Problems and Public Policies (3 credits)
• ECON 310: Money and Banking (3 credits)
• ECON 311: Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 345: Introduction to Econometrics (3 credits) Total Credits: 24

Statistics

• Select one from the following:
  • BUS 210: Business Analytics I (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • BUS 310: Business Analytics II (3 credits)
  • STAT 250: Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • STAT 350: Introductory Statistics II (3 credits)
  • STAT 344: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)
  • STAT 354: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II (3 credits) Total Credits: 6

Required Courses in Math

• Select one from the following:
  • MATH 108: Introductory Calculus with Business Applications (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • HNRT 225: Applied Calculus (3 credits)
  • MATH 113: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) (4 credits) Total Credits: 3

Two Required Courses in Business and Accounting

• ACCT 203: Survey of Accounting (3 credits)
• MGMT 303: Principles of Management (3 credits) Total Credits: 6

Electives in Economics

• Select 9 credits from the following:
  • ECON 321: Economics of Labor (3 credits)
  • ECON 370: Economics of Industrial Organization (3 credits)
  • ECON 390: International Economics (3 credits)
  • ECON 412: Game Theory and Economics of Institutions (3 credits)
  • ECON 415: Law and Economics (3 credits)
  • ECON 420: International Money and Finance (3 credits)
  • ECON 421: Financial Economics (3 credits)
  • ECON 471: Airline Economics (3 credits) Total Credits: 9

Additional Electives in Economics

• Select 12 credits of electives in economics from courses at the 300 and 400 level or higher (12 credits) Total Credits: 12

Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

This is a high credit concentration for students interested in a program that explores the interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, political science, and economics.

Required Courses in Economics

• ECON 103: Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• ECON 104: Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• ECON 306: Intermediate Microeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 311: Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 345: Introduction to Econometrics (3 credits) Total Credits: 15

Statistics

• Select one from the following:
  • STAT 250: Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • STAT 350: Introductory Statistics II (3 credits)
  • STAT 344: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)
  • STAT 354: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II (3 credits) Total Credits: 6

Required Courses in Math and Information Technology

• MATH 113: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) (4 credits)
• MATH 114: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 credits) Total Credits: 8

Electives

• Select 18 credits of electives in economics at the 300 and 400 level or higher (18 credits) Total Credits: 18

Philosophy

• Foundational:
  • Choose one of the following:
    • PHIL/GOVT 324: Modern Western Political Theory (3 credits)
    • PHIL/GOVT 327: Contemporary Western Political Theory (3 credits)
    • PHIL 357: Philosophy of the Social Sciences (3 credits)
    • PHIL 371: Philosophy of the Natural Sciences (3 credits)
• Electives:
  • Choose two of the following:
    • PHIL 357: Philosophy of the Social Sciences (3 credits)
    • PHIL 371: Philosophy of the Natural Sciences (3 credits)
    • PHIL 358: Ethics and Economics (3 credits)
• Culminating:
  • PHIL 353: Theories of Justice (3 credits) Total Credits: 12

Political Science

• Foundational:
  • GOVT 133: Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• Electives:
  • Choose two of the following:
    • GOVT 101: Democratic Theory and Practice (Mason Core) (3 credits)
    • GOVT 301: Public Law and the Judicial Process (3 credits)
    • GOVT 307: Legislative Behavior (3 credits)
    • GOVT 308: The American Presidency (3 credits)
    • GOVT 312: Political Parties and Campaigns (3 credits)
    • GOVT 318: Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process (3 credits)
    • GOVT/PHIL 323: Classical Western Political Theory (3 credits)
    • GOVT 422: Constitutional Interpretation (3 credits)
    • GOVT 331: Politics of Latin America (3 credits)
    • GOVT 332: Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (3 credits)
    • GOVT 333: Politics of East Asia (3 credits)
    • GOVT 334: Politics of Europe (3 credits)
    • GOVT 338: Politics of Eurasia (3 credits)
    • GOVT 345: Islam and Politics (3 credits)
    • GOVT 361: Introduction to Environmental Policy (3 credits)
    • GOVT 364: Public Policy Making (3 credits)
    • GOVT 366: Public Policy Analysis (3 credits)
    • GOVT 367: Money, Markets and Economic Policy (Mason Core) (3 credits)
    • GOVT 422: Constitutional Interpretation (3 credits)
    • GOVT 423: Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties (3 credits)
    • GOVT 443: Law and Ethics of War (3 credits)
• Culminating:
  • GOVT 467: How Washington Really Works (3 credits) Total Credits: 12

Culminating Course in Economics

• ECON 460: Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (3 credits) Total Credits: 3

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing:

• Select one from the following:
  • ECON 365: Topics in Economic History (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • ECON 395: Effective Writing in Economics (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • ECON 485: Smithian Political Economy I (Mason Core) (3 credits) Total Credits: 3

Upper Level Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.

• VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
• VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)

Program Outcomes

1. Understand the key concepts and theoretical models of microeconomics.
2. Understand the key concepts and the different schools of thought in macroeconomics.
3. Apply insights from field-specific knowledge in economics to analyze economic problems
4. Interpret and apply statistical analysis methods found in scholarly research
5. Demonstrate effective writing in the discipline.

Accelerated Master's Programs

• Bachelor's Degree (any)/Economics, Accelerated MA
• BS (any)/Statistical Science, Accelerated MS

Bachelor's Degree (any)/Economics, Accelerated MA

Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MA in Economics in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits with a minimum overall GPA of 3.25, and a grade of B or better in coursework applied to the major.

The following courses are recommended as preparation for the graduate-level courses students will be able to take for advanced standing:

• ECON 306: Intermediate Microeconomics
• ECON 311: Intermediate Macroeconomics
• At least one semester of calculus with analytic geometry
• Two-semester sequence of statistics
• ECON 345: Introduction to Econometrics

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA in economics program if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
• 3.25 GPA in all economics courses
• Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

• Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
  • ECON 535: Survey of Applied Econometrics (3 credits)
  • ECON 611: Microeconomic Theory (3 credits)
  • ECON 612: Microeconomic Theory II (3 credits)
  • ECON 615: Macroeconomic Theory (3 credits)
  • ECON 630: Mathematical Economics I (3 credits)
• Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
  • ECON 535: Survey of Applied Econometrics (3 credits)
  • ECON 611: Microeconomic Theory (3 credits)
  • ECON 612: Microeconomic Theory II (3 credits)
  • ECON 615: Macroeconomic Theory (3 credits)
  • ECON 623: American Economic History (3 credits)
  • ECON 630: Mathematical Economics I (3 credits)
  • ECON 676: Comparative Economic Systems (3 credits)
  • ECON 695: Special Topics in Economics (3 credits)

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.

BS (any)/Statistical Science, Accelerated MS

Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program (BAM) and obtain an undergraduate BS degree and the Statistical Science, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

Admitted students are able to use up to 12 graduate credits in partial satisfaction of requirements for the undergraduate degree. Upon completion and conferral of the bachelor's degree and with satisfactory performance in each of the graduate courses, students are given advanced standing in the master's program.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

No specific undergraduate BS degree is required. Students enrolled in any BS degree may apply to the accelerated Statistical Science, MS program if such an accelerated Statistical Science, MS pathway is allowable from the student's BS program, which will be determined by the academic advisors of both the BS and MS programs.

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits with an overall GPA of 3.0.

Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific prerequisites.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the Statistical Science, MS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:

• Completion of Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completion of application for graduation.
• An overall GPA of 3.00.
• Completion of the following Mason courses each with a grade of C or better:
  • MATH 213: Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3 credits)
  • MATH 203: Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • or MATH 321: Abstract Algebra (3 credits)
  • STAT 250: Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • or STAT 344: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)
  • STAT 346: Probability for Engineers (3 credits)
  • or MATH 351: Probability (3 credits)
  • STAT 362: Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages (3 credits)

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students complete all credits satisfying degree requirements for the BS and MS programs, with up to twelve credits overlap chosen from the following graduate courses:

• STAT 544: Applied Probability (3 credits)
• or STAT 521: Applied Probability and Statistical Inference (3 credits)
• STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
• STAT 560: Biostatistical Methods (3 credits)
• STAT 574: Survey Sampling I (3 credits)
• STAT 663: Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization (3 credits)

All graduate course prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment. Each graduate course must be completed with a grade of B- or better to apply toward the MS degree.

While still in undergraduate status, a maximum of 6 additional graduate credits may be taken as reserve graduate credit and applied to the master's program. Reserve credits must come from courses that fulfill the intended master’s degree requirements. Reserve graduate credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree.

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees policies.

Degree Conferral

Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student's final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master's degree is conferred.