Economics is the study of how society allocates scarce resources (land, labor, capital) in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants. It is broadly divided into two branches: Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. Macroeconomics is concerned with the workings of the economy as a whole. It is the study of broad measures of economic performance: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, and inflation. Given these measures, it considers the role of the government in guiding the macroeconomy. Microeconomics, on the other hand, focuses on the role of individual decision-makers - consumers and firms – and analyzes the efficiencies and failures of a market system. The role of the government in correcting inefficient market outcomes is then considered. The two branches approach the fundamental questions of resource allocation from opposite sides: one from the perspective of the economy as a whole (macroeconomics) and one from the perspective of the individual agents in the economy (microeconomics).

A major in economics is excellent undergraduate preparation for students who wish to enter the legal profession, politics, government service or teaching. Graduate degrees are necessary for those who wish to teach at the college or university level. Graduate degrees in economics also afford opportunities for banking careers at the higher management levels and in the fields of securities analysis, finance and, increasingly, in the fields of international finance and international trade. An economics major is highly recommended for entry into Master of Business Administration programs. Statistics and calculus are strongly encouraged for students intending to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Economics.

• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• Core courses (18 Units)
• Support courses (8 Units)
• Electives (4 Units)
• Other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the degree.

AA = Associate in Arts Degree.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an Associate in Art Degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

ECON 1A Principles of Macroeconomics (5 Units)
ECON 1B Principles of Microeconomics (5 Units)
ECON 9 Political Economy (4 Units)
ECON 25 Introduction to the Global Economy (4 Units)

BUSI 53 Survey of International Business (4 Units)
GEOG 5 Introduction to Economic Geography (4 Units)
or GEOG 10 World Regional Geography (4 Units)
MATH 10 Elementary Statistics (5 Units)
MATH 1A Calculus (5 Units)

HIST 4A History of Western Civilization I (4 Units)
HIST 4B History of Western Civilization II (4 Units)
HIST 4C History of Western Civilization III (4 Units)
or HIST 4CH Honors History of Western Civilization (4 Units)
HIST 8 History of Latin American (4 Units)
HIST 9 History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
or HIST 9H Honors History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units
HIST 17A History of the United States To 1816 (4 Units)
HIST 18 Introduction to Middle Eastern Civilization (4 Units)
HIST 19 History of Asia: China/Japan (4 Units)
POLI 3 Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory (5 Units)
or POLI 3H Honors Political Philosophy/Political Theory (5 Units)
POLI 15 International Relations/World Politics (4 Units)
or POLI 15H Honors International Relations/World Politics (4 Units)

** Students may also use courses listed under "Support Courses" for electives.