USC
University of Southern California
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Undergraduate Degrees

Advisement

Upon declaring a major or minor in economics, students should consult with the department’s undergraduate advisor. Students can check their academic progress on the USCweb under Oasis.

Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts In Economics

Students are required to take ECON 203, ECON 205, ECON 303, ECON 305, ECON 317, ECON 414 and four economics elective courses. Of the four elective courses (300 level or above) a minimum of two must be economics courses at the 400 level or higher. The remaining two economics courses must be approved by the department’s director of undergraduate studies. A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for each of the core courses ECON 303, ECON 305, ECON 317 and ECON 414. MATH 118x or MATH 125 is required for the major; students are advised to meet the requirement by their sophomore year. Majors are also required to take at least one two-unit course on computing chosen from ITP 101x, ITP 110x or CSCI 101L.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences, with an Emphasis in Economics

Students are required to take ECON 203, ECON 205, ECON 303, ECON 305 and three economics elective courses numbered 300 or 400. A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for each of the core courses ECON 303 and ECON 305. MATH 118x or MATH 125 is required and an additional 12 units of upper division courses from departments in the social sciences (anthropology, geography, international relations, history, political science, psychology, sociology).

Progressive Degree Program in Economics

This progressive degree program permits superior students to complete all requirements for both the B.A. and M.A. degrees in economics within an eight to 10 semester period. Students may apply for admission to this program after completing 64 units at USC but not later than the end of junior year (the completion of 96 units), and must have completed MATH 125 and at least four 300/400-level economics courses, including two core courses. To be eligible for admission, students must have at least a 3.5 overall grade point average and demonstrate outstanding performance in economics and mathematics courses. The application for admission to a progressive master’s program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members in the Department of Economics. The requirements for both the B.A. and M.A. degrees must be satisfied. Further details about progressive degrees can be found here.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Economics/Mathematics

Students are required to take seven courses in economics, seven courses in mathematics and one course in computer programming languages. Pre-major requirement: MATH 125 or equivalent.

In Economics: ECON 203, ECON 205, ECON 303, ECON 305, ECON 414 and at least two other ECON courses at the 400 level or above

In Mathematics: MATH 126 or MATH 127; MATH 225 or MATH 245; MATH 226 or MATH 227; MATH 407, MATH 408 and at least two other MATH courses at the 400 level or above

In Computing: At least one course chosen from ITP 110x, ITP 150x, ITP 165x; CSCI 101L

Electives must be approved by the program advisors.

Progressive Degree in Economics-Mathematics/Mathematical Finance

This progressive degree program permits superior students to complete all requirements for both the B.S. in economics/mathematics and M.S. in mathematical finance within a period of eight to 10 semesters. Students may apply for admission to this program after completing 64 units at USC but not later than the end of junior year (the completion of 96 units), and after completing at least two 300/400 level economics courses and MATH 407. A minimum overall GPA of 3.5 is required for admission. The application for admission to a progressive master’s program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members in the Department of Economics. The requirements for both the B.A. and M.A. degrees must be satisfied. Further details about progressive degrees can be found here.

Minor in Economics

Students from all disciplines will benefit from an economics minor. The economics minor is offered in three tracks. Each track is designed to help the student explore a coherent area of economic thought and methodology. Students minoring in economics must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA (cumulative) in courses taken for the minor.

The minor includes the core courses ECON 203, ECON 205, ECON 303 or ECON 305, MATH 118x or MATH 125 plus three courses chosen from one of the following tracks:

Law and Political Economy
This track introduces students to the economic theory that underlies the economic choices made by individuals and the ways in which law and policy combine to regulate such behavior. Economic models of individual choice, contracts, and law are analyzed in courses in this track. Choose three courses from: ECON 317, ECON 330, ECON 332, ECON 336, ECON 434.

Finance and Money
This track guides students through the economic thought and theory that underlie the importance of money. Courses cover topics that shed light on the ways in which institutions, individual preferences and financial markets affect the allocation and investment of money. Choose three courses from: ECON 317, ECON 350, ECON 357, ECON 360, ECON 450, ECON 452, ECON 457.

International Economics
This track concentrates on the foundations, complexities and importance of the global economy as well as the role of economics and political economy in societies outside of the United States. Choose three courses from: ECON 317, ECON 330, ECON 340, ECON 342, ECON 343, ECON 346, ECON 450.

Undergraduate Honors Program

The department offers an honors program. First and second semester seniors can enroll in ECON 495 Honors Thesis. Honors will be awarded upon completion of the thesis, an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a major GPA of 3.5.

Department Policy Regarding Transfer Credits

Students who have taken courses equivalent to ECON 303, ECON 305, ECON 317 or ECON 414 from an economics department at another four-year college or from a program deemed comparable by the director of undergraduate studies, can earn transfer credits provided they received a B (3.0) or better in the courses.