Bachelor of Arts

Introduction

The BA in economics provides an excellent preparation for employment in the private and public sectors, and for graduate study in a variety of fields, such as law and MBA programs.

The importance of economics among the social sciences, and its appeal to many students who choose it as a major, reflects its deep intellectual roots, its rigorous analytical methods, and its powerful ability to explain social phenomena. An economics major trains students not only in deductive methods of logic, but also in inductive methods of reasoning using statistical methods and a variety of social and economic data. A firm foundation in economics is essential to a meaningful training in business administration, public administration, or social science.

How to Apply for Admission to the Major

• If you have questions about admissions requirements or the economics major, email an economics adviser at econadv@u.washington.edu or visit the office during drop-in hours.
• Complete all of these courses:

Courses Required to Apply and Admission Standards for the Major

1. A minimum of 45 college or university credits completed including:
   • ECON 200 Introduction to Microeconomics
   • ECON 201 Introduction to Macroeconomics
   • ECON 311 or STAT 311 Introduction to Economic Statistics.  Note: STAT 220 is not acceptable; QMETH 201 will only be accepted as a substitute if taken prior to Winter 2009. 
   • MATH 124 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or MATH 112 Applications of Calculus to Business & Economics (MATH 125, 127, 134, 145, QSCI 291 are also acceptable)
2. Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.8 for the four prerequisite courses above, with no less than 2.0 in each course. If ECON 200 or ECON 201 are repeated, the grades must be averaged. A grade must be recorded for all of the courses above prior to admission.
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.80 for all prior college work including transfer credits.

For prerequisites see the UW Course Catalog.

How to Apply to the Department of Economics

You may apply for admission to the major as soon as you have received a grade in all the courses listed above. Applications are due no later than the second Friday of the quarter. If you have satisfied the minimum admissions requirements, you will be admitted. Formal notification of your acceptance will be sent a few weeks after you apply. Transfer students must be admitted to the University before they can apply to the major.

IMPORTANT: If you have met the admissions requirements, do not wait for notice of acceptance to the major before registering for additional economics classes such as ECON 300. Premajors may register for ECON 301 during Registration Period II. 

If you do not meet the minimum admissions requirements, make an appointment with an undergraduate economics adviser as soon as possible. You are also strongly encouraged to meet with an adviser in the Gateway Center to develop an alternative plan.

When you are ready to apply, click here for more information on applying to the program.  You can also download an application, or come to Condon 413 to pick one up.

Graduation Requirements: How to Complete the Major

1. Admission to the economics major
2. ECON 300 Intermediate Microeconomics. Grade of 2.0 or higher required.
3. ECON 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics.Grade of 2.0 or higher required.
4. Five ECON courses at the 400 level (25 credits not including ECON 496, 497, or 499.)
5. You must complete at least 50 credits in economics courses (courses with the prefix ECON) which includes the statistics courses taken for admission, and you must have an average of 2.0 or higher in these 50 credits.
6. For transfer students, at least 25 credits in economics courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken in residence at the University of Washington.
7. You must complete all University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, including the foreign language requirement, 10 credits of writing courses, and 180 credits total for the undergraduate degree..
8. You must make an appointment with an advisor to apply to graduate (no later than the end of the third week of the quarter in which you wish to graduate). To receive Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) registration, apply 2 ½ quarters before graduation.

For prerequisites to courses see the UW Course Catalog.

For College and University Graduation Requirements, refer to the website or the Bachelor's Degree Planbook from the Undergraduate Advising Center in 171 Mary Gates Hall.

Both the General Catalog and the Quarterly Time Schedules are available online in the Student Guide Section of the UW home page.

Last Updated May 8, 2008