Program Overview

Economics, BA

Introduction

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.

Student Resources

• Department website: Economics
• Department advising: See the pre-major advising section of the College of Business and Economics website.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• 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) Students apply for admission to the major by completing the online application form. Advising tips:
  • Complete MATH 157 and DSCI 205 requirements early
  • For information regarding the MIS 220 Equivalency Exam see the Department of Decision Sciences website for test-out information
  • Meet with your faculty advisor (assigned following admission to the major)

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.

Requirements (66-69 credits)

• Choose one course from:
  • DSCI 205 - Business Statistics
  • MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
  • MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference
• ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
• ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
• ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought
• ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics
• ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
• ECON 375 - Introduction to Econometrics
• One course from:
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors
  • MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus
• One course from:
  • MIS 220 - Introduction to Business Computer Systems
  • CSCI 101 - Computers and Applications
• 16 elective credits of 400-level economics courses
• 8 additional elective credits of upper division (300 or 400-level) economics courses
• 8 elective credits from any CBE courses (including additional economics courses) with a maximum of 4 credits coming from 100-level courses.
• 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.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement