BA in Economics
The Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree provides students with a strong foundation in economic principles and quantitative analysis. The program requirements include introductory and intermediate level theory courses, elective courses on a range of topics in economics, as well as calculus and statistics courses.
Compared with the BS in Economics degree, the BA curriculum is less focused on the quantitative aspect of economics, but it still trains students to have a comprehensive understanding of economic modeling and statistical analysis. The BA degree prepares students for graduate programs in related social science areas or public policy, or careers in a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, consulting, finance, law, and public policy.
Recommended BA Course Schedule
All prospective economics majors need to take the ALEKS Placement Test to determine which course schedule is recommended for their calculus proficiency level. Students with AP Calculus credit or those who place above MATH 1231 may move through the required MATH and STAT courses at a faster pace than this schedule indicates.
- Recommended Schedule: ALEKS Scores of 61+
Freshman year: ECON 1011, ECON 1012, STAT 1111/1053/1051, MATH 1221/1231/1252
Sophomore year: ECON 2101, ECON 2102, two ECON electives
Junior year: STAT 2112/2118 or ECON 2123, two ECON electives
Senior year: Remaining ECON electives, ECON 4198W
- Recommended Schedule: ALEKS Scores Below 61
Freshman year: ECON 1001, ECON 1011, STAT 1111/1053/1051 and MATH 1221/1231/1252 (or any other pre-requisites needed for enrollment into these STAT and MATH courses)
Sophomore year: ECON 1012, ECON 2101, one ECON elective, and STAT 1111/1053/1051 and/or MATH 1221/1231/1252 (if not completed already)
Junior year: ECON 2102, two ECON electives, STAT 2112/2118 or ECON 2123
Senior year: Remaining ECON electives, ECON 4198W
- Important Notes for All Students
- Students are encouraged to complete the two principles classes (ECON 1011 and ECON 1012) plus the intro stats (STAT 1111/1053/1051) and Calculus I (MATH 1221/1231/1252) classes no later than the first semester of sophomore year so that they are fully prepared for entry into the economics major.
- Note that Calculus I is a pre-requisite for intermediate micro and macro (ECON 2101 and ECON 2102), meaning that it cannot be taken concurrently with intermediate micro or macro. Hence we do not recommend putting off the Calculus I course beyond the first semester of sophomore year.
- We recommend that students take intermediate micro prior to taking intermediate macro as it will enhance students’ understanding of the macro material.
- Intermediate micro and macro as well as one advanced stats course (STAT 2112/2118 or ECON 2123) and three ECON electives are pre-requisites for the capstone proseminar course (ECON 4198W). Students will not be allowed to enroll in proseminar until they have completed these pre-requisites. It is therefore imperative to plan ahead and finish these pre-requisite courses by the end of the first semester of senior year.
- We strongly recommend completing all ECON BA major requirements prior to enrolling in ECON 4198W. Materials covered in the required major classes will be extremely helpful to students in completing their research projects in the proseminar course.
- For students wishing to study abroad in their junior year, you are encouraged to only transfer back ECON electives courses. We recommend taking the core theory classes (ECON 2101/2103, 2102/2104,2123) at GW.
Degree Comparisons
Course Requirements
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required core courses | ||
| ECON 1011 | Principles of Economics I * | |
| ECON 1012 | Principles of Economics II | |
| ECON 2101 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | |
| or ECON 2103 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory: A Mathematical Approach | |
| ECON 2102 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory | |
| or ECON 2104 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory: A Mathematical Approach | |
| ECON 2123 | Introduction to Econometrics | |
| or STAT 2112 | Business and Economic Statistics II | |
| or STAT 2118 | Regression Analysis | |
| MATH 1221 | Calculus with Precalculus II | |
| or MATH 1231 | Single-Variable Calculus I | |
| or MATH 1252 | Calculus for the Social and Management Sciences | |
| STAT 1111 | Business and Economic Statistics I (or equivalent) | |
| or STAT 1051 | Introduction to Business and Economic Statistics | |
| or STAT 1053 | Introduction to Statistics in Social Science | |
| Electives | ||
| Seven courses (21 credits) in Economics (ECON) electives numbered between 2000 and 4999 are required. At least one of these courses should be an ECON WID course. The following guidelines and restrictions apply: | ||
*Post-matriculation residency requirement: ECON 1011 must be taken at GW to count toward the major. Students who matriculate with AP or transfer credit for ECON 1011 are exempt from this residency requirement.
Information about the total number of in elective courses required if ECON 2123 it taken was corrected on September 15, 2024, from five courses (15 credits) to six courses (18 credits). This is a correction, not a change in the program