Economics

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. 

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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. 

Meet nicole guertler, the BA Economics Advisor

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.

Explore the Department of Economics


Economics Sample Coursework Plan

How your Eller Economics experience can play out:

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, including General Education 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 Foundational Economics majors, 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/Foundational 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
3
1
3
3-7
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

3
3
4

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
BNAN 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
3
3
4
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
4
3
3
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 
Economics Elective
General Education
General Education
Minor Course

Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days.





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.





 
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)
Economics Elective 
Minor Course
Elective
Elective

Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days.





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.




 
Total 12
Summer
Enjoy your summer and continue the job search if necessary!

Note: 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 above plan is designed on the assumption that a student tests into College Algebra on the PPL Math Placement Exam; students who test lower than College Algebra should work with their academic advisor to learn how they can adjust their schedule to meet their educational goals.

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. Each student needs to meet a minimum of 120 total credits. Please consult with your Advisement Report and your academic advisor.

* Eller 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 the No Major Selected major in The A Center. 


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.

View Economics Career Possibilities

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. 

Meet the Career Coaches