Undergraduate programs

Economics majors are advised to contact the department undergraduate advisor for assistance with planning an individualized program of study. Economics majors who are considering graduate school will need to tailor their undergraduate program for this purpose and should seek advice prior to the start of their junior year. It is strongly recommended that students interested in graduate school pursue a B.S. in Quantitative Economics.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Economics B.A./B.S.

Business Economics B.A./B.S.

Quantitative Economics BS

Economics Honors Program

Economics Minor

International Economics Minor

Political Economy Minor

Institutional Economics Undergraduate Certificate

Business Economics B.A./B.S.

The B.A./B.S. in Business Economics requires a minimum of 75 credit hours to complete the following requirements. The major prepares students for employment in business, finance, government and the not-for-profit sector.

A. Foundations of Business and Economics (28 credits)

BA 101	Introduction to Business and World Affairs	4
Ec 201	Principles of Microeconomics	4
Ec 202	Principles of Macroeconomics	4
BA 211	Fundamentals of Financial Accounting	4
BA 213	Decision Making with Accounting Information	4
Ec 311	Microeconomic Theory	4
Ec 312	Macroeconomic Theory	4

B. Other Required Courses (23-24 credits)

Mth 251	Calculus I	4
Stat 243Z	Elementary Statistics I	4
	or
Stat 451	Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I	4
Stat 244	Introduction to Probability and Statistics II	4
	or
Stat 452	Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II	3
Ec 469	Introduction to Econometrics	4
Ec 420	Money and Banking	4
	or
Ec 440	International Trade Theory and Policy	4
	or
Ec 441	International Monetary Theory and Policy	4
Ec 314U	Private and Public Investment Analysis	4

C. Electives (24 credits)

Complete 12 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in economics and 12 credits of 300- and 400- level coursework in business in addition to courses used to satisfy requirements listed in A and B.

D. Other Requirements

Students must satisfy all university requirements for either a B.A. or B.S. degree; satisfy a major residency requirement of a combined total across business and economics of 24 credits in courses numbered 300 and above from PSU; and maintain a 2.5 grade point average in the major. All courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and must be graded C- or better. Ec 403 (Honors Thesis) cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for the B.A./B.S. in Business Economics.