Nov 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Economics, B.A.


Program Description


Economics majors choose from a B.A., B.S. or B.B.A. degree. The B.A. and B.S. degrees are traditional liberal arts degrees that lead to a variety of career and graduate school options; the B.B.A. is designed to prepare students for careers in business.

The minimum requirement for a B.A. degree in economics is 36 credit hours of economics, including 21 credit hours of core courses and 15 credit hours of electives. It is also necessary for the student to complete the foreign language and philosophy requirements for a B.A. degree as well as complete the General Education: The Human Community  program.

Admission and Retention Requirements


College of Business Progression Standards

Any student admitted to JMU can declare any major offered by the College of Business . However, students must make satisfactory progress in order to be formally admitted into the College of Business . Requirements to continue pursuing a B.B.A. degree, often referred to as progression standards or formal admission, can be found on the College of Business  catalog page.

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
General Education  1 41
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2 0-14
Philosophy course(s) (in addition to General Education  courses) 3
Major requirements (listed below) and electives

Total

62-76

120

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232), or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures’ placement test.

Major Requirements


Footnotes


Students need a minimum grade of “C” in ECON 200 ECON 201  and ECON 284  as a prerequisite for advanced economics courses.
Students may substitute COB 291  for ECON 284 .
Students need to complete ECON 331 ECON 332  and ECON 385  with a minimum grade of “C” to graduate with an Economics degree.
Students must complete ECON 385  with a minimum grade of “B-” in order to choose ECON 483  or ECON 485  as an elective option.

Major Requirements Total: 36 Credit Hours


Additional Required Courses


Students must select one of the following calculus courses: (3-4 Credit Hours)

Students must select one of the following statistics courses: (3-4 Credit Hours)

or

Economics Concentrations


The B.B.A.  degree in economics includes 18 credit hours of core courses. The B.A.  and B.S.  degrees in economics include 21 credit hours of core courses. 

Concentration in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics


Students who elect a major in Economics with a concentration in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics are required to meet degree requirements and complete the following Economics courses (which can also be used to satisfy degree requirements) as well as the classes specified in either Option A or Option B.

Economics Required Core Courses: 18-21 Credit Hours


Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Concentration Courses: 7 Credit Hours


Electives: 9 Credit Hours


  • One 200- or 300-level economics elective 3.00 Credit Hours
  • Two 400-level economics elective 6.00 Credit Hours

Total: 34-37 Credit Hours


Option A or Option B


In addition, students must choose Option A or Option B.

Option A: 12 Credit Hours

For students with an interest in environmental sustainability as it applies to forests, fisheries and wildlife.

Total: 46-49 Credit Hours

Option B: 9-11 Credit Hours

For students interested in global climate change and environmental sustainability (including traditional approaches to pollution prevention and control). 

Concentration in Financial Economics Required Courses


Students who elect a major in Economics with a concentration in Financial Economics are required to meet Economics degree requirements and complete the following courses (which can also be used to satisfy degree requirements).

Economics Required Core Courses: 18-21 Credit Hours


Financial Economics Concentration Courses: 18 Credit Hours


Elective: 3 Credit Hours


  • Economics elective (400 level, not including ECON 490 ECON 499A ) 3.00 Credit Hours

Total: 36-39 Credit Hours


Concentration in International and Development Economics


Students who elect a major in Economics with a concentration in International Economics are required to meet degree requirements and complete the courses listed below (which can also be used to satisfy degree requirements).  In addition, students completing this course of study must have a genuine international experience (such as an internship or semester abroad) and must complete a foreign language through the civilization course, including all of the prerequisites for that course.

Economics Required Core Courses: 18-21 Credit Hours


International and Development Economics Concentration Courses: 12 Credit Hours


Two 400-level economics electives: 6 Credit Hours

Total: 36-39 Credit Hours


Additional Information


In addition, students completing this course of study must have a genuine international experience (such as an internship or semester abroad) and must complete a foreign language through the civilization course, including all of the prerequisites for that course.

Concentration in Political Economy


Students who elect a major in Economics with a concentration in political economy are required to meet degree requirements and complete four of the following courses (which can also be used to satisfy degree requirements).

Economics Required Core Courses: 18-21 Credit Hours


Political Economics Concentration Courses


Two 400-level economics electives: 0-6 Credit Hours

ECON 405 ECON 426  and/or ECON 455  also fulfill this 400-level elective requirement if taken to satisfy the 12 credit hour concentration requirement.

Total: 30-39 Credit Hours


Concentration in Quantitative Economics


Students who elect a major in Economics with a concentration in Quantitative Economics are required to meet degree requirements and complete three of the following courses (which can also be used to satisfy degree requirements).

Economics Required Core Courses: 18-21 Credit Hours


Choose three of the following four options: 9 Credit Hours


One 300- or 400-level economics elective: 3 Credit Hours


Total: 30-33 Credit Hours


Concentration in Socioeconomics


Students who elect a major in Economics with a concentration in Socioeconomics are required to meet Economics degree requirements and complete the following courses (which can also be used to satisfy degree requirements).

Economics Required Core Courses: 18-21 Credit Hours


Economics Electives


Two 400-level economics electives: 6 Credit Hours

Total: 36-39 Credit Hours

Recommended Schedule for B.A. in Economics Majors


First Two Years


During the first two years, students should complete:

Additional Information


Students are encouraged to take ECON 331  and/or ECON 332  in their sophomore year (provided that the course prerequisites have been met). 

Third and Fourth Years


B.A. economics majors should complete ECON 331 ECON 332 , and preferably ECON 385  by the end of their junior year. While most majors will complete the 400-level requirements in economics during their senior year, students may take a 400-level course during their junior year if the prerequisite for the course has been met. ECON 488  should be taken during the senior year.

Program Total: 120 Credit Hours