COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and includes between 35 and 39 credit hours in economics coursework. Students must complete the requirements of the WSU General Education Program, the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum, and all major-specific requirements while maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0. The program requires either Business Calculus (MATH 144) or Calculus I (MATH 242), along with foundational courses in Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 201), Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 202), Introductory Business Statistics (ECON 231), and Statistical Software Applications for Business (ECON 232). Students must also complete either Business Software: Excel (BADM 162) or Introduction to Computers and Applications (PC 105). Advanced economics training includes Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 301) and Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 302), followed by 15 credit hours of upper-division economics electives selected in consultation with an academic advisor. At least 9 of these elective credit hours must be in economics, while up to 6 credit hours may be taken outside the department with advisor approval. The degree includes 34–35 credit hours of general education courses and 36 credit hours fulfilling Liberal Arts and Sciences competency requirements. Students also complete 10–15 credit hours of open electives to reach the 120-credit-hour graduation requirement. Enrollment in upper-division economics courses requires junior standing and completion of all prerequisites. Students are encouraged to work closely with an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Economics within the W. Frank Barton School of Business to plan their coursework and career goals. The program develops strong analytical, quantitative, statistical, and critical-thinking skills while providing flexibility through elective options, preparing graduates for careers in economics, business, finance, public policy, government, research, consulting, and graduate or professional study.