Introduction

Admission to the BS Major in Economics

• 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 BS Major

1. A minimum of 45 college and university credits including:
   • ECON 200 Introduction to Microeconomics
   • ECON 201 Introduction to Macroeconomics
   • STAT 311 * Introduction to Economic Statistics or STAT 341 or STAT 390 (Note that QMETH 201 and STAT 220 are not acceptable prereqs.)
   • MATH 124/125/126 Calculus with Analytic Geometry (or MATH 134/135/136)
2. Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 for ECON 200, 201, Statistics and MATH 124, with no less than 2.0 in each of the 6 required courses.
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all prior college work including transfer credits, and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for coursework taken at UW.
4. One-page personal statement, typed and double-spaced, responding to the following questions: What are your persona/educational goals, and how do you expect those goals to be met through an economics major?  What background do you bring to the program?  Describe any special circumstance that would contribute to your studies in the field. 
5. A grade must be recorded for all of the courses above prior to admission. Each of these prerequisite courses can only be repeated once.  We will take into account the better of the two grades.

For prerequisites see the UW Course Catalog.

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Additional quantitative work is recommended but not required, for students who intend to pursue graduate programs, including: Math 307 (Intro to Differential Equations) or AMATH 351 (Intro to Differential Equations); Math 308 (Matrix Algebra with Applications); CSE 100 (Fluency in Information Technology); AMATH 301 (Beginning Scientific Computing), and CSE 142 (Computer Programming I -take as a junior)

How to Apply to the Department for Admission to the BS Major

The application deadline is the 2nd Friday of each quarter (Autumn, Winter and Spring).  Admission is competitive.  Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee admission to the major.  Transfer students must be admitted to the University before they can apply to the major.

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.

IMPORTANT: 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 in 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 Savery 305 to pick one up.

Graduation Requirements: How to Complete the BS Major

1. Admission to the economics major
2. Completion of these courses:
   • ECON 300 or 300H Intermediate Microeconomics and ECON 301 or 301H Intermediate Macroeconomics. Grade of 2.0 or higher required. Note: H denotes honors section requiring an add code from the Advising Office.
   • At least 10 additional credits chosen from the following "Theory and Methods Courses": ECON 454* (If taken during or before Autumn 2004), ECON 424, ECON 435 **(If taken Winter 2005 or later), ECON 473, ECON 481, ECON 482, ECON 483, ECON 485, ECON 486. Note: if both ECON 400 and ECON 401 are completed, one course will count in this section.
   • 15 additional credits of economics courses at the 400 level (exluding ECON 496, 497, and 499)
   • ECON 400 Advanced Topics in Microeconomics or ECON 401 Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics. Students preparing for graduate work in economics should consider taking both courses. If both courses are completed, then one will count in the "Theory and Methods Courses."
3. You must complete at least 50 credits in economics courses (courses with the prefix ECON,) including ECON 200 and 201, and you must have an average of 2.0 or higher in these 50 credits.
4. For transfer students, at least 25 credits in economics courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken in residence as a matriculated student at the University of Washington.
5. You must complete all University and College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements and 180 credits total for the undergraduate degree.
6. For College and University graduation requirements, refer to the website or to the Bachelor's Degree Planbook from the Undergraduate Advising Center in 171 Mary Gates Hall.
7. Both the General Catalog and the Quarterly Time Schedules are available online in the Student Guide Section of the UW home page.
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.

Last Updated August 27, 2009