2019-20 Catalogs
BA in Economics
The undergraduate program in economics provides practical preparation for a variety of careers as well as for graduate study in economics, business administration, public policy, and law. Economics is a social science and as such is best studied in the context of broader exposure to the liberal arts and sciences.
Economics is a marketable liberal arts degree. Liberal arts majors (social sciences and humanities) develop excellent writing and research skills, and increase a student's knowledge of the world. These majors also help students build a stronger and more informed sense of identity and values. Economics at USM also provides students critical thinking and analytical (including statistical) skills.
Program Requirements
BA in Economics
Track A Liberal Arts (36 credits)
Major Requirements (18 credits)
ECO 101 Introduction to Macroeconomics
ECO 102 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECO 103 Critical Thinking About Economic Issues (a 2XX or above ECO course may be substituted for ECO 103)
ECO 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECO 302 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECO 303 Political Economy
Major Electives (18 credits)
You must take at least six major elective courses; a minimum of four must be from the following ECO courses:
ECO 220 U.S. Economic and Labor History
ECO 305 Research Methods in Economics
ECO 310 Money and Banking
ECO 312 U.S. Economic Policy
ECO 315 Economic Development
ECO 316 Case Studies in International Development
ECO 319 Macroeconomics: Debt and Finance
ECO 321 Understanding Contemporary Capitalism
ECO 322 Economics of Women and Work
ECO 323 U.S. Labor and Employment Relations
ECO 325 Industrial Organization
ECO 326 Environmental Economics
ECO 327 Natural Resource Economics
ECO 328 Rural and Regional Economic Development
ECO 330 Urban Economics
ECO 333 Economics and Happiness
ECO 335 The Political Economy of Food
ECO 340 History of Economic Thought
ECO 350 Comparative Economic Systems
ECO 370 International Economics
ECO 380 Public Finance and Fiscal Policy
ECO 381 State and Local Public Finance
ECO 399 Special Topics in Economics
ECO 450 Readings in Economics
ECO 490 Independent Readings and Research in Economics
You may select up to two (of the six required courses) from the following list:
CRM 216 White-Collar Crime
CRM 225 Crimes Against the Environment
GEO 302 Gender, Work, and Space
GEO 303 Economic Geography
POS 340 The Politics of Developing Nations
SOC 348 Sociology of Work
SOC 358 Sociology of Women's Work
WGS 365 Topics in Gender and Institutions II
WGS 465 Topics in Gender and Institutions III
Track B Math Intensive (38 credits)
(recommended for graduate study in economics or related fields)
Major Requirements (15 credits)
ECO 101 Introduction to Macroeconomics
ECO 102 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECO 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECO 302 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECO 303 Political Economy
Math Requirements (11 credits)
MAT 152 Calculus A
MAT 153 Calculus B
MAT 380 Probability and Statistics
Major Electives (12 credits)
Select four courses from the above list of ECO major elective courses.
Admission Information
To be eligible for a degree, a student must complete 120 credit hours fulfilling the University's Core curriculum requirements and all requirements for the major.
For the best overall Financial Aid package, submit your USM application and complete your FAFSA by January 15. However, you can apply at any time. Undergraduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Learn More about the Undergraduate Application Requirements & Process