Major in Economics
The department offers four programs of study: the regular Economics Major, an Emphasis in International Economics, an Emphasis in Public Policy and a Specialization in Quantitative Analysis. An Emphasis will appear on your diploma and transcript but a specialization will not. All programs of study lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Download: Four Paths to Graduation for Economics Students
Economics Major
The regular Economics major provides a broad exposure to all aspects of the field. This general major provides a well-rounded liberal arts background that is excellent preparation for wide range of career options.
Consists of 15 units:
- Economics 101 (3 units)
- Economics 102 (3 units)
- Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250 (3 units)
- Mathematics 120, 124, or 150 (3 units)
- Management Information Systems 180 (3 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C or higher. Students completing the California Community College Associate in Arts in Economics for Transfer (AA-T) will satisfy preparation for the major. If Management Information Systems 180 (MIS 80) was not completed as part of the AA-T, it must be completed at SDSU.
A minimum of 27 upper division units to include:
- Economics 301 (3 units)
- Economics 320 (3 units)
- Economics 321 (3 units)
- 18 units of electives.
- At least six units of electives selected from the international group: Economics 330, 360, 365, 460, 463, 464, 466, 489, 561, 592.
- Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596; maximum three units of 499; and maximum three units of 495 may be applied to the major. Units of 495, 496, 499, 596 may be counted towards the international group requirement as approved by adviser.
- Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements”.
- Add Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.
Emphasis in International Economics
The Emphasis in International Economics, as the name suggests, focuses on courses with international content. Choosing this major can signal to future employers that you have a strong interest and solid training in international issues.
Consists of 15 units:
- Economics 101 (3 units)
- Economics 102 (3 units)
- Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250 (3 units)
- Mathematics 120, 124, or 150 (3 units)
- Management Information Systems 180 (3 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C or higher.
A minimum of 33 upper division units (27 units in economics and six to seven units from the College of Business Administration) to include
- Economics 301 (3 units)
- Economics 320 (3 units)
- Economics 321 (3 units)
- At least 12 units of electives must be selected from the international group: Economics 330, 360, 365, 460, 463, 464, 466, 489, 561, 592.
- Up to six units of electives may be selected from Economics 311, 338, 349, 380, 382, 401, 403, 406, 422, 441, 449W, 455, 456, 485, 490.
- Six to seven units selected from Business Administration 323 and Finance 329, or Business Administration 350 and Management 357, or Business Administration 370 and Marketing 376.
- Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596 and maximum three units of 499 may be substituted into groups A or B as appropriate with approval of adviser except for Economics 360, 561, or 592. Maximum three units of 495 may be substituted into group A with appropriate international content as approved by adviser
- Successful completion of a course in a foreign language at the fourth semester or higher level, that is, one course beyond the B.A. language requirement. Students who have graduated from high school in another country where the language of instruction is not English have met the language requirement for this major.
- Add Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.
- Completion of a study abroad or internship abroad of at least 12 units of coursework or six units of the internship course in another nation. Students may also choose to complete a combination of nine units of study and three units of the internship abroad. Students who have graduated from high school outside the U.S. meet this requirement by studying at SDSU.
Emphasis in Public Policy
The Emphasis in Public Policy was originally designed for students wishing to go on to law school or administration programs. There is a stronger emphasis on communication and analytic skills and it requires that students take more courses related to regulation and policy institutions.
Consists of 18 units:
- Economics 101 (3 units)
- Economics 102 (3 units)
- Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250 (3 units)
- Mathematics 120, 124, or 150 (3 units)
- Communication 160 (3 units)
- Management Information Systems 180 (3 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C or higher.
A minimum of 30 upper division units in economics to include:
- Economics 301 (3 units)
- Economics 320 (3 units)
- Economics 321 (3 units)
- Business Administration 323 (3 units)
- 18 units of electives in economics
- At least 12 units selected from the public policy group: Economics 311, 338, 349, 380, 382, 401, 403, 406, 422, 441, 449W, 455, 456, 485, 487, 490.
- Three units of electives selected from the international group: Economics 330, 360, 365, 460, 463, 464, 466, 561, 592.
- Three additional units of upper division economics electives.
- Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596 may be substituted as upper division electives with approval of adviser. Maximum three units of 495 and maximum three units of 499 may be substituted into group A with appropriate policy content as approved by adviser.
- Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”
- o Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.
Specialization in Quantitative Analysis
The Specialization in Quantitative Analysis is intended for students with strong math skills. Anyone intending to do graduate work in economics is strongly encouraged to choose this major.
Consist of 16 units:
- Economics 101 (3 units)
- Economics 102 (3 units)
- Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250 (3 units)
- Mathematics 150 (4 units) or Economics 202 (3 units)
- Management Information Systems 180 (3 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C (2.0) or better.
A minimum of 27 upper division units in economics to include:
- Economics 301 (3 units)
- Economics 320 (3 units)
- Economics 321 (3 units)
- Economics 441 (3 units)
- Economics 507 (3 units)
- 12 units of upper division economics electives, with at least six units at the 400
or 500 level
- Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596 may be substituted as upper division elective with approval of adviser. Maximum three units of 495 and maximum three units of 499 may be substituted as upper division elective with appropriate quantitative content as approved by adviser.
- Add Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”
- Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.
Undergraduate Advising
Deborah Gordon, Ed.D.
Email: [email protected]
See advising assistance page for more information.
Important Links
Class Schedule | SDSU Catalog | Special Study Form