Requirements for Admission to the Economics Major or Minor

Requirements for admission to the major or minor in economics include a grade point average of 2.5 or above in all courses taken at or transferred into USC and a grade of C (2.0) or above in ECON 203 and ECON 205.

Advisement

All economics department and interdepartmental majors should consult with the department undergraduate advisor. Students should seek an appointment early in the semester so that an advisement file may be established for each student. The file will be kept current.

Department Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

Students are required to take ECON 203, 205, 303, 305, 317, 414 and four elective courses numbered above 300. A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for each of the core courses ECON 303, 305, 317 and 414. Prospective majors are advised to complete 303 and 305 by their junior year. MATH 118x or 125 is required for the major; students are advised to meet this requirement by their sophomore year. Majors are also required to take at least one two-unit course on computing, chosen from ITP 102x-103x, 110x, or CSCI 101L.

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

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

Department Minor Requirements

Students are required to take ECON 203, 205, either 303 or 305, and three economics elective courses numbered above 300. MATH 118x or 125 is required.

Combined Four Year B.A.-M.A. Program

This accelerated 144-unit program permits superior students to complete all requirements for both the B.A. and M.A. degrees in economics during four calendar years. Admission to this program may take place any time between the end of the sophomore year and beginning of the junior year. To be eligible for admission, students must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and demonstrate outstanding performance in economics and mathematics.

Students are required to take at least 60 units in economics, including all required courses of the department B.A. degree except ECON 414, and all the required courses of the economics M.A. degree. Students are also required to take MATH 126 and MATH 226 and must fulfill the general education, foreign language, writing and diversity requirements. Like the standard M.A. degree, students may choose either the thesis option or comprehensive examination option. Contact the undergraduate economics advisor for more information and an application form.

Undergraduate Honors Program

Students who are interested in earning departmental honors can apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies for admission into ECON 395 Economic Policy Issues. Successful completion of ECON 395 allows the student to enroll in ECON 495 Honors Thesis. Contact the undergraduate economics advisor for more information.

Department Policy Regarding Transfer Credits

Students who have taken courses equivalent to ECON 303, 305, 317, or 414 from an economics department at another four-year college or from a program deemed comparable by the director of undergraduate studies, will earn transfer credits without passing a USC examination, provided they received a B (3.0) or better in the courses. Students who have received less than a B in courses taken elsewhere, or have taken substantially different courses, may be asked to demonstrate their proficiency by taking examinations in the equivalent USC courses. See the undergraduate advisor for more information.

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