Undergraduate Degree Programs
The Economics Major
The University’s economics programs offer an extensive variety of courses to develop the student’s analytical abilities and prepare graduates for rewarding careers in business, industry, and government. Economics also provides a sound foundation for postgraduate study in a wide variety of fields. The department offers a major in economics through both C&BA and the College of Arts and Sciences. The Department offers a minor in economics available to students in all majors. Students majoring or minoring in economics are urged to consult the undergraduate advisor for recommendation of 400-level economics courses and general electives consistent with their career goals and objectives.
Commerce and Business Administration Program
Economics majors must complete the “C” requirement by taking one of the following (or a similar course) approved by the department: AC 389, FI 389, or OM 385. Economics majors must also select a specialization or a second major. A minimum of 18 hours is required for a second major. Finance is a popular second major for economics students. Students may choose any second major (business or non-business) with a plan approved by the Department. Approved majors already exist for math and modern languages. Students selecting non-business minors must also complete a specialization in business. Faculty Advisor: Cover
Major in Economics
| Major Program Requirements¹ | |
| Courses | Hours |
| EC 308 Intermediate Microeconomics² | 3 |
| EC 309 Intermediate Macroeconomics² | 3 |
| FI 301 Introduction to Financial Institutions and Markets | 3 |
| Additional EC courses | 9 |
| Total: | 18 Hours |
¹EC 470 is stongly recommended for those considering graduate work in economics or business.
²A grade of "C-" or higher is required in EC 308 and EC 309.
Dual Major in Economics and Mathematics
The dual major in economics and mathematics is for students with strong quantitative skills who want to apply those skills in the field of economics. this curriculum is ideal for students who plan a career that involves forecasting and/or an understanding of formal economic modeling. It also provides students with the mathematical background necessary for pursuing a doctoral degree in economics. Students in this degree program are formally enrolled inthe Culverhouse College of Commerce, but the curriculum is determined by both the College of Commerce and the College of Arts and Sciences. Faculty Advisor: Cover
| Major Program Requirements | |
| Courses | Hours |
| EC 308 Intermediate Microeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 309 Intermediate Macroeconomics* | 3 |
| FI 389 Computerized Management Information Systems | 3 |
| EC 471 Econometrics | 3 |
| EC elective | 3 |
| FI 301 Financial Institutions and Markets | 3 |
| MATH 355 Theory of Probability | 3 |
| MATH 451 Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| Total: | 24 Hours |
*A grade of "C-" or higher is required in EC 308 and EC 309.
In addition to the economics major, the following courses are required for the major in mathematics:
| Courses | Hours |
| EC 413 Economic Forecasting and Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 227 Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 237 Applied Matrix Theory or | |
| MATH 257 Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 238 Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| MATH 486 Introduction to Real Analysis I | 3 |
| MATH elective (300 or 400 level) | 3 |
| Total: | 19 Hours |
Specializations in Economics:
Economics (For non business majors)
International Economics (economics majors only)
Macroeconomic and Monetary Policy (economics majors only)
Public Policy and Law (economics majors only)
Quantitative Economics (economics majors only)
Special Programs:
University Scholars
Certificate in Analytical Excellence
Economics Major (BA) in Arts and Sciences
Degree requirements. Students earning the bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a major in economics must complete all University, college and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements, all requirements for an approved minor, and sufficient other credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
Admission into the major. Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). With the assistance of an advisor in the major department, students should complete the “Declaration of Major” form.
Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. The major GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the major that the student has attempted at UA and all work attempted applicable to the major throughout the entire higher education career.
Major courses. Students majoring in economics must successfully complete one of the following two tracks for a total of 30 semester hours:
Standard Track
| Courses | Hours |
| EC 110 Principles of Microeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 111 Principles of Macroeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 308 Intermediate Microeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 309 Intermediate Macroeconomics* | 3 |
| EC electives 300 or 400 level | 3 |
| EC electives | 3 |
| Total: | 30 Hours |
*Students must complete EC 110, EC 111, EC 308, and EC 309 with a grade of "C-" or higher.
Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the major GPA. The standard track requires the successful completion of the following courses outside the major:
| Courses | Hours |
| MATH 121, MATH 125, or MATH 145 | 3-4 |
| ST 260 Statistical Data Analysis | 3 |
Quantitative Track
| Courses | Hours |
| EC 110 Principles of Microeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 111 Principles of Macroeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 308 Intermediate Microeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 309 Intermediate Macroeconomics* | 3 |
| EC 413 Economic Forecasting and Analysis | 3 |
| EC 471 Econometrics | 3 |
| EC electives | 12 |
| Total: | 30 Hours |
*Students must complete EC 110, EC 111, EC 308, and EC309 with a grade of "C-" or higher.
Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the major GPA. The quantitative track requires the successful completion of the following courses outside the major:
| Courses | Hours |
| MATH 125 or MATH 145 | 4 |
| MATH 126 or MATH 146 | 4 |
| MATH 227 or MATH 247 | 4 |
| MATH 237 or MATH 257 | 3 |
| MATH 355 Theory of Probability | 3 |
| MATH 451 Mathematical Statistics with Applications | 3 |
| ST 260 Statistical Data Analysis | 3 |
Upper-level residency. A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be earned on this campus.
Required minor. This major requires the completion of a minor or an additional major.
Additional major requirements. Students considering pursuing a doctoral degree in economics are urged to take the quantitative track and, if possible, also take MATH 486. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, college, major, and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an advisor in the major department for academic planning and to be cleared for registration each semester.
Special Programs
University Scholars
Certificate in Analytical Excellence
The Economics Minor
Students in any college can minor in economics.
The economics minor requires only 18 hours in economics, just four classes after EC 110 and EC 111. You may choose any 4 economics electives to satisfy your minor in economics. Hence if you take EC 210 and EC 211, you will need only two more electives to satisfy your minor. (The only exceptions are EC 389 and EC 492, which normally are not allowed towards a minor in economics.) Furthermore, if you are interested in economic theory, you may take EC 308 and EC 309 to satisfy your minor. (Note that EC 308 and EC 309 serve as pre-requisites for some 400-level courses.)
For finance majors, an economics minor requires only 2 courses beyond those required for the finance major. One of those courses may be counted as an Arts and Sciences elective. An economics minor will enhance your resume for the job market or your application for graduate study in business, finance, and law.