Bachelor of Arts in Economics

The Bachelor of the Arts (BA) in Economics prepares students for a variety of careers and for graduate studies in multiple disciplines; students develop essential skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and data analytics. We offer electives, such as behavioral economics, resource & energy economics, public policy, pandemic economics, economic development, experimental economics, health, and economic history. The BA in Economics is selected by many students pursuing a double major. 

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

BADA A110Computer Concepts in Business3
ECON A101Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON A102Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECON A227Introductory Statistics for Economics and Business3
ECON A312Econometrics for Business and Economics3
ECON A321Intermediate Microeconomics3
ECON A324Intermediate Macroeconomics3
ECON A492Seminar in Economic Research3
MATH A221Applied Calculus for Managerial and Social Sciences 13-6
or MATH A251 Calculus I
or MATH A251F F.A.T. Calculus I
3 credits of 100-level or above ECON elective3
15 credits of upper-division ECON electives 215
3 credits of 400-level ECON elective 33
Total48-51
1

Math skills are important in the study of economics. For this reason, majors are to complete their math requirements early in their program. Students planning on graduate school are advised to take the entire calculus sequence (MATH A251 or MATH A251F, MATH A252 or MATH A252F, and MATH A253).

2

No more than a total of 6 credits earned in an independent study, or ECON A454, may be used to satisfy requirements for the major (6 credits of independent study or 3 credits of independent study and 3 credits of ECON A454).

3

ECON A454 cannot be counted towards the 400-level ECON requirement. 


A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Honors in Economics

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in economics. In order to receive honors in economics, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Meet requirements for BA in Economics;
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50 in their major requirements;
  • Complete ECON A492 with a grade of A, or complete a research paper with a grade of A which demonstrates independent economic research in a semester-length independent study course.

Students not meeting all these requirements may be awarded honors through a vote of the faculty.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate the economic way of thinking and apply it to a wide variety of issues and problems.
  • Use economic concepts and analytical skills to address economic problems.
  • Demonstrate a basic descriptive knowledge of the U.S. and world economies.
  • Understand the role of institutions, especially markets and government, in shaping economic outcomes.
  • Obtain and analyze relevant economic data to test hypotheses against evidence.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

  • Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
  • GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
  • Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
  • Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
  • Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
  • Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ECON A101 Principles of Microeconomics 3
MATH A121
Applied College Algebra
or College Algebra for Calculus
3-4
WRTG A111 Writing Across Contexts 3
GER Natural Sciences 3
GER Oral Communication Skills 3
 Credits15-16
Spring
BADA A110 Computer Concepts in Business 3
ECON A102 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
GER Natural Sciences w/ Lab 4
GER Written Communication Skills (200-level) 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
MATH A221
Applied Calculus for Managerial and Social Sciences
or Calculus I
or F.A.T. Calculus I
3-6
GER Fine Arts 3
GER Humanities 3
GER Intercultural Fluency or Elective 3
Program Elective (ECON, 100-level) 3
 Credits15-18
Spring
ECON A227 Introductory Statistics for Economics and Business 3
GER Alaska Native-Themed or Elective 3
GER Humanities 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
ECON A312 Econometrics for Business and Economics 3
ECON A321 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
Upper Division Program Elective (ECON) 1 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
ECON A324 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
Program Elective (ECON, 400-level) 2 3
Upper Division Program Elective (ECON) 1 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
Upper Division Program Elective (ECON) 1 3
Upper Division Program Elective (ECON) 1 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
ECON A492 Seminar in Economic Research 3
Upper Division Program Elective (ECON) 1 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 0-2
 Credits12-14
 Total Credits118-124
1

No more than 6 credits earned in an independent study or ECON A454 may be used to satisfy requirements for the major (6 credits of independent study, or 3 credits of independent study and 3 credits of ECON A454).

2
 
ECON A454 cannot be counted toward the 400-level ECON elective requirement.