1. Why major in Economics?
2. What kinds of jobs can I apply for with an economics
major?
3. How do I become an Econ Major?
4. Do I need to see an Economics Advisor?
5. How many units do I need to satisfy the requirements
for a BA in Economics?
6. What are the required lower division courses in the major?
7. What are the required upper division courses in the major?
8. How many units of upper division electives are required in
the major?
9. Which courses qualify for upper division elective credits?
10.
How do I choose upper division elective courses?
11. Can I get upper division credit for courses involving work
experience?
12. Can I get upper division credit for courses that have no
prerequisites?
13. What other departments does Economics accept upper
division credit from?
14. What courses are recommended if I want to go to graduate
school?
15. What courses can I take if I have not declared Economics
as my major yet?
16. If I am a double major, what courses can I count towards
both majors?
17. What Econ Courses can I transfer from community colleges?
18. How do my courses transfer at CSUS if taken at an
institution that is on a quarter system?
19. Can I take upper division electives at community colleges?
20. How many units can I transfer from a junior college?
21. Which economics courses satisfy upper division GE
requirements?
22. How do I know if I have completed my GE requirements?
23. Is the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) a requirement for
any Economics courses?
24. What Economics courses require graduating senior status?
25. When do I apply for graduation?
26. Where do I get and how do I fill out my graduation application?
27. If I am a double major, do I need to file a graduation
application for each major?
28.
Which catalog year do I use?
1.
Why major in Economics?
Many companies like to hire economics majors because of their broad knowledge
about the economy and the world. Economics majors learn about philosophy,
history, mathematics, political science, sociology, and statistics, as well as
business. They learn to think analytically, rigorously and critically, and to
communicate effectively. These skills are the primary reason why
employers are willing to pay a premium for economics majors relative to
majors graduating from other social science disciplines. For more resons to
major in Economics see our Economics
Pamphlet.
2.
What kinds of jobs can I apply for with an economics major?
The following is a sample of job titles that could be filled by economics
majors (but note that this list is by no means exhaustive): Actuary *
Advertising Executive * Auditor * Bank Officer * Bond Trader * Business
Forecaster * Business Manager * College Professor * Cost Analyst * Credit Analyst
/ Loan Officer * Demographer * Entrepreneur * Estate Planner * Financial
Planner/Analyst * Financial Officer * Government Administrator * Healthcare
Administrator * Human Resources Administrator * Industry Analyst *
Industrial/Institutional Buyer * Information Scientist * Insurance Salesperson
* Intelligence Agent * International Trade Specialist * Journalist * Labor
Relations Specialist * Lawyer * Litigation Analyst * Management
Consultant/Analyst * Market Research Analyst * Policy Analyst * Politician *
Property Manager * Public Administrator/Manager * Public Utilities Manager *
Real Estate Agent/Broker * Sales Manager * Securities Salesperson/Broker *
Securities/Commodities Trader * Statistician * Teacher * Technical Writer *
Transportation Specialist * Underwriter * Urban/Regional Planner *
3.
How do I become an Econ Major?
It is highly recommended that you meet with an economics advisor prior to
declaring your major. To sign up as an Economics Major, you need to fill out a
Change of Major form and complete a short survey. The completed Change of Major
form and survey must be submitted to the department and signed by the
department chair. Finally, you need to take the signed Change of Major form to
Admissions and Records where it will be processed.
4.
Do I need to see an Economics Advisor?
Absolutely! The Economics Department highly recommends that all current or
potential majors/minors see an Economics Advisor at least once each academic
year. In your meeting with an advisor you will fill out a Major Advising
Worksheet which will help guide you through the coursework required for your BA
(or minor) in Economics. Your advisor will also alert you to relevant
deadlines, schedule changes, program changes, new course offerings, and much
more. Appointments with Economics Advisors can be made by calling 916.278.6223.
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5.
How many units do I need to satisfy the requirements for a BA in Economics?
As specified in the 2002-2004 catalog, students majoring in Economics need a
minimum of 42 units to complete a BA in Economics, with a minimum of 120 total
units required for graduation at CSUS.
6.
What are the required lower division courses in the major?
Required lower division courses are outlined in detail in the most recent
CSUS catalog. Links to previous years' catalogs are also available on the
CSUS Catalog page.
7.
What are the required upper division courses in the major?
Required upper division courses are outlined in detail in the most recent CSUS
catalog. Links to previous years' catalogs are also available on the CSUS
Catalog page.
8.
How many units of upper division electives are required in the major?
You are required to complete 6 upper division elective courses (18 units).
9.
Which courses qualify for upper division elective credits?
Any Economics course numbered 110 or higher satisfies upper division
requirements. Note, however, that only one of ECON 112, Econ 120, ECON 181,
ECON 184, and ECON 189 can count toward your upper division elective courses.
Similarly no more than three units of ECON 194, ECON 195, or ECON 198 can count
toward your upper division credits. A lower division calculus course (Math 26A
or Math 30) or an upper division Math or Stat course (that can be taken for credit towards a math or statistics major) can be substituted for one
of the upper division economics electives.
10.
How do I choose upper division elective courses?
There are two ways to approach choosing your upper division electives. The
first approach is to think about an area of economics that you have an interest
in (such as Environmental Economics, International Economics, Labor Economics,
or Monetary Economics). Pick courses in this area to begin with and then talk
to your professors about what other courses may be appropriate in this area.
The second approach is to pick a couple of courses in different areas and see
which issues interest you the most. This is a good starting point when you have
no idea what areas interest you or what courses to pick. As you learn about
different issues in economics you will be able to better determine if there is
a specific area in Economic that you would like to take more courses in.
Advisors in the Economics Department are happy to help you with the selection
of appropriate electives.
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11.
Can I get upper division credit for courses involving work experience?
Yes. These are three courses related to work experience in the Economics
Department. You can count up to three units of work-related Economics courses
toward your upper division electives in the Economics Major. Work-related
courses include ECON 194, ECON 195, and ECON 198. ECON 194 requires that
students arrange supervised employment through the economics Department and the
Cooperative Education Program. ECON 195 requires that students arrange an
economics internship with the Economics Department. ECON 198 affords students
the opportunity to tutor in Economics. To be eligible to tutor in Economics
students must receive a minimum of "B" in both ECON 100A and ECON
100B.
12.
Can I get upper division credit for courses that have no prerequisites?
Upper division courses without prerequisites include: ECON 112, Econ 120, ECON
181, ECON 184, and ECON 189. Whereas students can take as many of these courses
as the wish for credit, only one of these courses (3 units) can be counted
toward upper division electives in the Economics Major.
13.
What other departments does Economics accept upper division credit from?
Mathematics & Statistics Department at CSUS is the only other department
that offers courses that satisfy upper division credit in Economics.
Specifically, students can take any of the following: MATH 26A (or MATH 26B), MATH 30, MATH 31 and up to four of these units will count towards the Economics Major.
14.
What courses are recommended if I want to go to graduate school in the future?
If you anticipate that you may be applying to graduate programs in the near
future, the Economics Department recommends that you take the following courses
as part of your upper division electives: MATH 26A (or MATH 26B, or MATH 30, or
MATH 31) and ECON 141. To ensure the best possible preparation toward graduate
school while still working towards your BA, it is highly recommended that you discuss
your graduate school plans and the courses you are taking with an Economics
Advisor.
15.
What courses can I take if I have not declared Economics as my major yet?
With the exception of ECON 145, none of the upper or lower division courses
require that you are a declared major. However, if you are planning to
major/minor in Economics, it is highly recommended that you seek advice on your
coursework as soon as possible.
16.
If I am a double major, what courses can I count towards both majors?
The answer depends upon your other major. Other majors may allow you to use
upper division economics courses to satisfy their requirements. For example,
Business majors with a Finance Concentration can count three of the following
courses towards both majors: ECON 100A, ECON 100B, ECON 135, ECON 192.
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