Economics Major
Bert W. Wasserman Department of Economics and Finance
All levels of government, as well as international organizations, nonprofit organizations, industrial corporations, and financial institutions, such as banks and brokerage houses, hire economists to do economic analyses and planning. Economists perform economic analyses of various markets, execute pricing studies, determine the effects that government policies have on their businesses, and analyze the implications of international economic events.
A BA degree with a major in economics deals with concepts, techniques, and cases in economics that acquaint the student with the general economic problems of modern society. This degree provides students with an excellent general background for a wide range of challenging business careers.
There are several prerequisites for the major. The major itself includes three required economics courses (9 credits) and five electives (15 credits) chosen from the Department of Economics and Finance, the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, and several departments within the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences.
Students are expected to complete the major requirements in place at the time they are officially accepted into their programs. Please review the College Bulletin for the relevant academic year.
Requirements for the Major
(Not Credited to the Major)
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Business Courses (15 credits) |
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Introduction to Business |
3 credits |
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or |
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BUS 2000 (formerly BUS 1011) |
Business Fundamentals: The Contemporary Business Landscape |
3 credits |
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Introduction to Information Systems and Technologies |
3 credits |
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Micro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Macro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Business Statistics I * |
3 credits |
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Mathematics (3-4 credits) ** |
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MTH 2001
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Pre-Calculus |
3 credits |
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or
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MTH 2002
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Precalculus with Corequisite Support (or MTH 2002T) |
3 credits |
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or
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Precalculus and Elements of Calculus 1A |
3 credits |
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or |
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Precalculus (or MTH 2009T) |
3 credits |
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or |
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A more advanced calculus course |
3-4 credits |
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The three required courses build on the foundations of the introductory micro- and macro-economics courses, ECO 1001 and ECO 1002. Economics majors should plan on taking all three of the required courses, especially ECO 4000, as early in their major program as possible.
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Intermediate Micro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Intermediate Macro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Statistical Analysis for Economics and Finance |
3 credits |
PLEASE NOTE:
- Six (6) of the major’s elective credits must be 4000-level ECO courses
- At least one of the 4000-level ECO courses must be a 3-credit communication-intensive (CIC) capstone course.
- With the exception of ECO 4000, ECO 4091 (1 credit), ECO 4092 (2 credits), ECO 4093 (3 credits), ECO 4094 (1.5 credits), and ECO 4150, all 4000-economics level courses are CIC. ECO 4093 (the 3-credit special topics course) may be communication-intensive, depending on the course material. Students are required to check CUNYfirst section descriptions to determine any given topic’s CIC status.
| The elective courses for BA in Economics should be chosen from the list below: | ||
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Any 3000 or 4000 level ECO course |
1-3 credits each |
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Black Economic Development: 1860 to the Present |
3 credits |
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Urban Economic Structure (LTS 3016) |
3 credits |
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History of American Business Enterprise |
3 credits |
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Economic Analysis of Public Policy |
3 credits |
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Economics of the Public Sector |
3 credits |
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Ethics, Economics, and the Business System |
3 credits |
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Political Economy |
3 credits |
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Government and the American Economy |
3 credits |
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Requirements for the Major – Effective Fall 2027
Successful completion of all program prerequisites is required for admission to the major and enrollment into 3000-level and above economics (ECO) courses. Students who are in the process of completing their program prerequisites may enroll in major elective courses offered by the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences and the Marxe School of International and Public Affairs.
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Business Courses (9 credits) These courses have the following as prerequisites: |
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Micro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Macro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Business Statistics I * |
3 credits |
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* PSY 2100 (previously STA 2100), BIO 2100, and ENV 2100 are not applicable to the major. |
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Mathematics Courses (4-9 credits) One calculus course is required. Students begin the math sequence based on their placement. |
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College Algebra – if required per initial math placement: |
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Intermediate and College Algebra |
2 credits |
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or |
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College Algebra |
2 credits |
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AND Precalculus – if required per placement: |
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Pre-Calculus |
3 credits |
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or |
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MTH 2002 |
Precalculus with Corequisite Support (or MTH 2002T) | 3 credits |
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or |
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Precalculus and Elements of Calculus IA |
3 credits |
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or |
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Precalculus (or MTH 2009T) |
3 credits |
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AND Calculus |
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Calculus I with Trigonometry Refresher |
4 credits |
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or |
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Calculus I |
4 credits |
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The three required courses build on the foundations of the introductory micro- and macro-economics courses, ECO 1001 and ECO 1002. Economics majors should plan on taking all three of the required courses, especially ECO 4000 or ECO 4001, as early in their major program as possible.
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Intermediate Micro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Intermediate Macro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Statistical Analysis for Economics and Finance |
3 credits |
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or |
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Econometrics for Data Science (prerequisites: CIS 2300 or ECO 3630) |
3 credits |
At least Six (6) of the major’s elective credits must be 4000-level ECO courses.
| The elective courses for BA in Economics should be chosen from the list below: | ||
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Game Theory |
3 credits |
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Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy |
3 credits |
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International Economics and Finance |
3 credits |
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Economics of Labor |
3 credits |
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Data Science for Economics and Finance |
3 credits |
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Market Design |
3 credits |
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Applied Micro-Econometrics |
3 credits |
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Financial Econometrics |
3 credits |
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Special Topics in Economics |
3 credits |
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Advanced Micro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Behavioral Economics |
3 credits |
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The Economics of International Trade |
3 credits |
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Advanced Macro-Economics |
3 credits |
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Monetary Economics |
3 credits |
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Black Economic Development: 1860 to the Present |
3 credits |
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From Silver to Cocaine: An Economic History of Latin America |
3 credits |
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History of American Business Enterprise |
3 credits |
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Economic Analysis of Public Policy |
3 credits |
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Economics of the Public Sector |
3 credits |
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Ethics, Economics, and the Business System |
3 credits |
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Political Economy |
3 credits |
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Government and the American Economy |
3 credits |
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Upon completion of the BA in Economics major, students will be able:
- To apply economic analysis to evaluate problems they encounter in their daily lives.
- To apply economic analysis to evaluate government policies.
- To use empirical evidence to make an economic argument.
- To collect, analyze, and interpret economic data.
- To identify and solve problems.
- To develop deeper understanding of economic problems and their potential solutions based on specialized knowledge in specific areas of economics.
- To present economic arguments verbally or in written form.
Contact
- Students with questions about their eligibility to pursue the BA in Economics, or who have questions about their BA degree requirements should contact the Weissman Associate Dean’s Office.
- Students wishing to discuss major elective course selection should contact the BA-Economics faculty advisor in the Department of Economics and Finance, Professor Larry Huckins.