Undergraduate Economics Major
Think like an economist to rethink what’s possible.
At the Department of Economics, you’ll interact with faculty who do groundbreaking research in many areas (including experimental, behavioral, labor, environmental, and energy economics; game theory; industrial organization; economic history; and econometrics).
As an undergraduate interested in economics, what matters even more is our dedicated faculty, the real-life experiences available to you and the analytic skills you will gain. Whether you choose to go into government, education or business, the impact of your economics education will last a lifetime.
At Eller, students have more exposure to applied business insights than an economics major would anywhere else I’ve been.
Ashley Langer, Assistant Professor of Economics
Economics Major Overview
Economists study how scarce resources can be efficiently allocated to produce the maximum number of goods and services. Economists conduct research, collect and analyze data, monitor economic trends and develop forecasts. They apply economic theory to endeavors such as banking, finance, manufacturing, education, law, international trade, labor, insurance, agriculture, health, criminal justice, energy, natural resources and telecommunications.
The field of economics provides a framework for analyzing and solving problems that arise from scarcity. Public issues—inflation, unemployment, budget deficits and environmental pollution, for example—as well as individual and business decision-making, are examples of the economist's work.
The Eller College offers two undergraduate economics degrees: the BSBA (which is a Business degree) with a major in Business Economics, and the BA (which is a Social Science degree), with a major in Economics. Students in the (BA) Economics Major, which emphasizes the key role of economics in social science, have a lot of flexibility in their upper division elective course offerings and when it comes to adding additional majors or minors to their undergraduate program. This additional flexibility with outside majors and minors differentiates from the BSBA Business Economics Major student, who focus largely on taking upper division Eller College business courses.
The (BA) Economics Major requires four semesters of foreign language and a minor. The minor can be selected from any college (e.g. Eller College, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, etc.). It allows students to combine a specific area of interest with the broader study of Economics. Students have ample freedom to customize the Economics BA major, as we provide a wide range of elective offerings and the option to obtain a double major is also possible. To begin upper division Economics classes students will apply for Advanced Standing.
Both degrees that the Eller College offers - BA with a major in Economics and BSBA with a major in Business economics - prepare students for careers including but not limited to consulting, banking, research, analytics, insurance, criminal justice, labor, energy, and health, as well as graduate school, including law school and further study in Economics (Masters or PhD). To be admitted to the Business Economics (BSBA) major, students go through the BSBA Professional Admission process.
Economics Advising
Every Eller Economics student has an assigned advisor to help with the academic and career questions that come up as you study here. Get to know yours.
Department of Economics
The Eller Economics Department is a world-recognized pioneer in experimental and behavioral economics. And thanks to award-winning faculty, it’s a great place for undergraduates to learn about a field that matters more than ever.
This is only a sample plan and requirements are subject to change and may vary based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, summer school, etc. The official degree requirements are found in the University General Catalog and all University of Arizona students should refer to their Academic Advisement Report through UAccess for their specific requirements for graduation.
All students enter as Pre-Economics students, and must go through a selective Advanced Standing process to gain entry to the upper-division Economics courses. The following plan is designed on the assumption that a student places into College Algebra with SAT/ACT scores or through the ALEKS Math Placement Exam; students who test lower than College Algebra should refer to the Pre-Economics Five-Semester Plan and work with their academic advisor to learn how they can adjust their schedule to meet their educational goals.
First Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| ENGL 101* First Year Composition MIS 111* Computers and Internetworked Society MIS 112* Computers and Internetworked Society Lab MATH 112 College Algebra Concepts and Applications (requires grade of C or better) General Education and/or Second Language Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days |
3 |
| Total |
13-17 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| ENGL 102* First Year Composition Math 113 or MATH 116* Calculus Concepts for Business Majors (Grade of C or better required for students to be eligible to apply for Economics Major) General Education General Education Second Language Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days |
3 3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
|
Use summer to catch up on math if behind in sequencing based on placement results prior to your first year. |
Sophomore Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| BNAD 276* Statistical Inference in Management ECON 200* Basic Economic Issues (requires grade of C or better) General Education Second Language Minor Course Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| BCOM 212* Fundamentals of Communication Second Language General Education General Education Minor Course Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days. Apply for Advanced Standing. |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| We highly recommend that students participate in a study abroad and career-related experience. | |
In order to take the following upper-division courses, students must be admitted to the major through a competitive and selective Advanced Standing process.
Junior Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Units |
|
ECON 361 Intermediate Microeconomics Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days. |
3 3 3 3 3 |
| Total |
15 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Units |
| ECON 332 Intermediate Macroeconomics Economics Elective General Education Minor Course Elective Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days. |
3 3 3 3 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| Use summer to gain career-related experience through internships, study abroad, or volunteering. |
Senior Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Units |
|
Economics Elective (400 Level) Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days. |
3 3 3 3 3 |
| Total |
15 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Units |
| Economics Elective (400 Level) Economics Elective (400 Level) Economics Elective Minor Course Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days. |
3 3 3 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| Enjoy your summer and continue the job search if necessary! |
Students can meet the Second Language requirement by demonstrating fourth semester proficiency through examination or taking any of a variety of second semester language courses. Additionally, one course in the student's degree program must focus on Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Non-Western Area Studies. Some General Education classes are designed to fulfill this requirement. Each student needs to meet a minimum of 120 total credits. Please consult with your Advisement Report and your Academic Advisor.
* Eller Pre-Economics Foundation Courses: Required to apply for Advanced Standing into the upper-division phase of the BA Economics program. Advanced Standing is required in order to take all 300 & 400-level Economics Courses.
Repeat Policy: Students are allowed to take major courses twice. If a student fails an ECON major requirement (ex: ECON 200, ECON 332, ECON 361, etc) twice, the student will be required to change their major. Upon review at the end of a term, students who have not passed the course for a second time will be moved to No Major Selected.
Economics Elective Course Options
There are more than 20 Economics elective courses available:
View All Undergraduate Economics Courses Including Electives
Economics Major Career Resources
Economics Careers
Your Economics degree can lead a wide range of careers—in government, education or business. Graduates go on to careers in consulting, banking, research and analytics, for example, while others continue to graduate school.
Meet the Economics Career Coach
Eller students have a world of options in front of them—which is why connecting with a career career coach is so valuable. Get counseling, professional development, and insight on internship and job opportunities awaiting you.