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General Information

Positions of responsibility in today's world are usually held by individuals who have the capacity to analyze complex problems and make intelligent decisions. Learning economics will help students think logically and improve their ability to use economic concepts to analyze "real world" problems and opportunities. In addition to preparation for business and government agency employment, an Economics major is excellent preparation for law schools, Masters of Business Administration programs and graduate programs in economics, agricultural economics and natural resource management. The Economics Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with specializations in Economic and Business Forecasting, Managerial Economics, and General Economics. Economics minors are offered to complement Accounting, Business Administration, and other majors.

The Department of Economics requires that all University general education requirements be fully met. In addition to these requirements, the B.S. Economics Major is comprised of the following components: 1) pre-admission courses providing necessary theoretical and quantitative skills to pursue studies in economics, 2) core courses in both micro and macro economic theory, and 3) a choice of supporting courses for each of the economics major specializations.

Coursework counting toward the major cannot be taken credit/no credit by Economics majors. Double majors are available. Interested students should consult with their advisor or the Department Chair for details prior to enrolling.

Transfer Credits

Equivalent lower division (100-200 level) courses may be transferred toward meeting the pre-admission requirements for any B.S. degree in the College of Business. Upper division (300-400 level) courses may be transferred toward meeting the major requirements only with the approval of the Department Chair and the College Dean or designee. Transfer students must earn a minimum of 45 quarter credits at CWU to be eligible for the B.S. Economics degree. Transfer students earning fewer than 45 quarter credits in their major at CWU must receive approval from the College Dean prior to graduation.. (Browse the following links to view the transfer course equivalencies for in-state community colleges and four-year institutions.)

Service to Other Majors

Students majoring outside the College of Business who are required to take courses in this College for either their major or minor will be eligible to enroll on a space-available basis. These students will be given priority over other non-college majors wishing to enroll in courses.

Student Objectives

The Economics faculty have determined the following objectives which apply to all B.S. Economics graduates:

• Students completing an economics degree will possess the tools which enable them to analyze and understand macro and micro economic problems and policies.
• Students will possess qualifications and knowledge which will help them to find employment in fields related to economics.
• Students will acquire and be able to use basic tools to enable them to carry out quantitatively oriented tasks in their employment or their field of graduate studies.
• Students completing the program should possess the communication and economic skills desirable in their future employment or graduate studies.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply and be admitted to the major prior to beginning 300-400 level courses in the College of Business. At the time of application, all pre-admission requirements should be substantially completed. Application forms are available in the department offices. The completed form must be accompanied by transcripts that reflect all prior college work. Admission shall be based on grades earned in the following pre-admission courses. ENG 101 and 102 must also be completed before admission.

Pre-Admission Requirements

A cumulative grade point average of 2.25 in the above courses must be achieved with a minimum grade of "C-" (1.70) in each course. The credit/no credit option will not be accepted for any of these courses. The applicant must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all collegiate study. These criteria also apply to equivalent courses transferred from other institutions. Students who have met all the above requirements will be admitted unless the number of eligible applicants exceeds available space. In that case, acceptance will be competitive, based on a selection index. Students who have not met all of the above requirements may be admitted provisionally by permission of the College Dean or designee.

Specialization Requirements

In addition to the above Pre-Admission Requirements, students are required to choose from Economic and Business Forecasting, General Economics, or a Managerial Economics specialization to complete their degree.