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• Introduction
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• BS in Financial Economics
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Bachelor of Arts in Economics

• Program Requirements
• Emphasis within the Major
• Career and Academic Paths
  

Program Requirements

Please note: The printed course catalog contains the official listing of program requirements, and takes precedence over information listed on this site. Should you discover a discepancy between the printed catalog and any information posted here, please contact the department for instructions.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics consists of at least 40 credits distributed as follows:

A. 19 credits

• ECON 101, Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON 102, Principles of Macroeconomics
• MATH 151, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I OR
  MATH 155, Elementary Calculus I
• STAT 351, Applied Statistics for Business and Economics OR
  STAT 355, Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers
• ECON 311, Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
• ECON 312, Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis

B. 21 additional credits in economics, numbered ECON 314 or higher.

Econ 600 may not be used to fulfill major requirements.

No course in which a student has earned a grade below "C" shall fulfill the major requirements.

Emphasis within the Economics Major

There are a number of different emphases that an economics major may want pursue, depending on educational and career objectives. The recommendations below are a general guide.

1. Students completing a liberal arts program or preparing for professional school should select courses according to their specific interests and should develop a program in consultation with their major advisor.

2. Students preparing for graduate study in economics, particularly at the Ph.D. level, should complete courses that provide the necessary mathematical background. These courses would include:

• ECON 490 Analytic Methods in Economics
• ECON 421 Introduction to Econometrics
• MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra
• MATH 225 Introduction to Differential Equations
• MATH 251 Multivariable Calculus
• STAT 453 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

3. Students interested in pursuing a career in business should consider completing the requirements for a certificate in Administrative Sciences in addition to completing the requirements for the major.

Career and Academic Paths

A major in economics is excellent preparation for employment in business or government, for professional study in law, business management, urban planning or public administration, or for graduate study in economics.

Graduates of the UMBC economics programs:

• Enter the business world - many of our graduates become certified public accountants.
• Enter government service - employed as economists in local, state, or federal government.
• Attend business school - students get an MBA and enter middle management.
• Obtain an M.A. or Ph.D. in economics - these students will teach and conduct research at the college level or enter research oriented positions in government or business.
• Attend law school - a B.A. in economics is excellent preparation for a career in law.