Frequently Asked Questions
The
Hot Major for Undergrads Seeking High Pay Is Economics
I.Opportunities for
Economics Majors
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?
II. Course
Requirements in the Economics Major
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?
III. Transfer
Students
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?
IV. GE
Requirements
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?
V. Graduation
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?
I. Opportunities for Economics
Majors
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.
^ TOP OF PAGE
II. Course Requirements in the
Economics Major
5. How many units do I need to satisfy the
requirements for a BA in Economics?
As specified in the 2002-2004 catalogue, 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 catalogue. Links to previous years' catalogues are also
available on the CSUS Catalogue 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 catalogue. Links to previous years' catalogues are also available on
the CSUS Catalogue 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 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.
^ TOP OF PAGE
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 MATH 26A (or MATH 26B, or MATH
30, or MATH 31) in 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 doing 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.
^ TOP OF PAGE
