BS in Economics

Degree Program Description

Economics is a broad discipline that explores the factors that determine production, distribution, and consumption of resources. An Economics degree provides a good foundation on how the economy and the world works and an understanding of the effects of policy issues. The BS degree in Economics is a challenging degree program specifically designed for students who plan to attend graduate school in Economics, Finance, or related fields. The curriculum includes more quantitative coursework than the BA degree, but still allows students to take electives that focus on various aspects of economics, such as labor, law, and education. Graduates in Economics enter a diverse field of jobs in government, banking, insurance or other financial sectors, private sector businesses or even open their own businesses. Often students pursuing a BS degree double major with Mathematics or Statistics and look at employment positions in actuarial science or more analytical fields.

Major Program Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all Economics, Mathematics and Statistics courses, and must have at least a 2.0 GPA in Economics courses to earn the degree. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

While students can pursue the Bachelor of Science in Economics students have the option to select the Quantitative Track. The Quantitative Track is for students who plan to attend graduate school in economics or finance.

MATH 1100College Algebra3
or MATH 1160 Precalculus Mathematics
MATH 1400Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I3
or MATH 1500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
ECONOM 1014Principles of Microeconomics3
ECONOM 1015Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECONOM 3251Managerial Economics3
ECONOM 3271Introduction to Applied Econometric Practice3
ECONOM 4351Intermediate Microeconomics3
ECONOM 4353Intermediate Macroeconomics3
ECONOM 4370Applied Mathematics for Economics (Or Additional ECONOM 4000- level course)3
ECONOM 4371Introductory Econometrics3
9 Hours of ECONOM Electives * See Economics Electives section for more specific requirements.9
12 Hours of Complementary Field Courses (if not pursuing Quantitative Track)12
2000+ level coursework in STEM (BIO_SC, CHEM, PHYSCS, MATH, STAT), ACCTCY, FINPLN, FINANC, MANGMT, MRKTNG, and PUB_AF courses. May include any level CMP_SC, DATA_SCI, ENGINR, or INFOTC courses. All grades must be C- or higher.
Requirements for optional Quantitative Track
MATH 1100
MATH 1140
College Algebra
and Trigonometry
5
or MATH 1160 Precalculus Mathematics
MATH 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
ECONOM 1014Principles of Microeconomics3
ECONOM 1015Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECONOM 3271Introduction to Applied Econometric Practice3
ECONOM 4351Intermediate Microeconomics3
ECONOM 4353Intermediate Macroeconomics3
ECONOM 4370Applied Mathematics for Economics3
ECONOM 4371Introductory Econometrics3
12 Hours of ECONOM Electives * See Electives section for more specific requirements.12
MATH 1700Calculus II5
MATH 2300Calculus III3
MATH 4140Matrix Theory3
STAT 4710
STAT 4510
Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
and Applied Statistical Models I
6
or STAT 4750
STAT 4760
Introduction to Probability Theory
and Statistical Inference
MATH 3000Introduction to Advanced Mathematics (or a 4000- level MATH or STAT course)3
MATH 4700Advanced Calculus of One Real Variable I (or a 4000- MATH or STAT course)3

Second Language Alternative

A student may elect to fulfill a special option area instead of taking a second language. This area consists of at least 12 credits numbered 2000 or above that are not from the parent department, are not normally required of all departmental majors and do not appear elsewhere in the area of concentration. The second language alternative is planned by the student with the Economics Academic Advisor and must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Economics Electives

Students must complete at least three Economics electives, with at least two courses (6 hours) at the 4000- level. Students who double or dual major will be eligible to waive one 3000- level Economics Elective course.

One 3000+ level Economics course (3 hours) must be Writing Intensive. If a student is a double or dual major, we will allow a Writing Intensive taken in the other major to fulfill the Economics major Writing Intensive requirement. The student must still complete the minimum number of Economics electives. 

Accelerated BS in Economics to MA in Economics

Total credits for graduation = 138
Undergraduate credits = 108 (Complete at least 90 credits and have a GPA of at least 3.25
• Dual credits = 12 (taken at graduate level for credit toward both BS and MA degrees)
• Graduate credits = 18

BS Core Requirements-Accelerated Option
ECONOM 1014Principles of Microeconomics3
or ECONOM 1014H Principles of Microeconomics-Honors
ECONOM 1015Principles of Macroeconomics3
or ECONOM 1015H Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors
ECONOM 3271Introduction to Applied Econometric Practice3
ECONOM 4351Intermediate Microeconomics3
or ECONOM 4351H Intermediate Microeconomics - Honors
ECONOM 4353Intermediate Macroeconomics3
or ECONOM 4353W Intermediate Macroeconomics - Writing Intensive
ECONOM 4370Applied Mathematics for Economics3
ECONOM 4371Introductory Econometrics3
Electives in Major
Economics Electives- 12 Credits, at least six of which must be at the 4000-level or higher
Complementary fields courses: 2000-level+coursework in STEM (including Engineering, Computer Science, and Info Tech), Accounting, Finance, selected Public Affairs courses, and selected Management, Marketing and Personal Financial Planning courses-12 Credits.
MA Core-Accelerated Option
ECONOM 4370Applied Mathematics for Economics3
or ECONOM 7370 Quantitative Economics
or ECONOM 8370 Mathematics for Economics
ECONOM 4371Introductory Econometrics3
or ECONOM 7371 Introductory Econometrics
or ECONOM 8472 Econometric Methods I
ECONOM 8413Research Workshop I3
ECONOM 8451Microeconomic Theory3
or ECONOM 9451 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I
ECONOM 8453Macroeconomic Theory3
or ECONOM 9453 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory I
ECONOM 8473Applied Econometrics3
or ECONOM 9473 Econometric Theory II

Accelerated BS in Economics (Policy Track) to Master of Public Affairs

Total Credits for graduation = 141
Undergraduate credits = 105
Dual credits = 15 (taken at graduate level for credit toward both BS and MPA degrees)
Graduate credits = 21

BS Economics-Policy Track- Accelerated
Major Core Requirements
ECONOM 1014Principles of Microeconomics3
or ECONOM 1014H Principles of Microeconomics-Honors
ECONOM 1015Principles of Macroeconomics3
or ECONOM 1015H Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors
ECONOM 3271Introduction to Applied Econometric Practice3
ECONOM 4351Intermediate Microeconomics3
or ECONOM 4351H Intermediate Microeconomics - Honors
ECONOM 4353Intermediate Macroeconomics3
or ECONOM 4353W Intermediate Macroeconomics - Writing Intensive
ECONOM 4370Applied Mathematics for Economics3
ECONOM 4371Introductory Econometrics3
Electives in Major12
At least 6 credits must be at the 4000-level or higher
At least 6 credits must come from a specified list of policy-focused economics courses(see below) Students in Accelerated program can substitute one of the MPA core or electives courses for one policy-focused economics elective
ECONOM 3367WLaw and Economics - Writing Intensive3
or ECONOM 3367 Law and Economics
ECONOM 3940Internship1-3
ECONOM 4311Labor Economics3
or ECONOM 4311W Labor Economics - Writing Intensive
or ECONOM 7311 Labor Economics
ECONOM 4315Public Economics3
or ECONOM 4315W Public Economics - Writing Intensive
ECONOM 4316State and Local Finance3
or ECONOM 7316 State and Local Finance
ECONOM 4317Urban Economics3
or ECONOM 4317W Urban Economics - Writing Intensive
or ECONOM 7317 Urban Economics
ECONOM 4340Introduction to Game Theory3
or ECONOM 7340 Introduction to Game Theory
ECONOM 4345WEconomics of Education - Writing Intensive3
or ECONOM 4345 Economics of Education
or ECONOM 7345 Economics of Education
ECONOM 4357WHealth Economics - Writing Intensive3
or ECONOM 7357 Health Economics
ECONOM 4846WEconomics of Discrimination - Writing Intensive3
or ECONOM 7846 Economics of Discrimination
ECONOM 4940Internship in Economics1-3
Complimentary fields courses taken from a selected list of Public Affairs courses(that includes the MPA courses listed below)-12 credits
MPA Core Courses
PUB_AF 8110Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Management3
PUB_AF 8170Public Policy Processes and Strategies3
PUB_AF 8180Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs I3
PUB_AF 8181Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs II3
PUB_AF 8210Public Service and Democracy3
PUB_AF 8211MPA Capstone (Applied Project)3
Electives and Specialization Courses15
Courses in Public and Nonprofit Management
PUB_AF 8150Collaborative Governance3
PUB_AF 8160Organizational Dynamics and Leadership3
PUB_AF 7340Regional and Economic Development Policy3
PUB_AF 7540Local Government Management3
PUB_AF 8510Public Budgeting and Taxation3
PUB_AF 8530Strategic Management of Public Service Organizations: People, Information and Money3
PUB_AF 8280Public Affairs Internship3
PUB_AF 8720Budgeting and Financial Management in the Nonprofit Sector3
Courses in Public Policy
PUB_AF 8190Economic Analysis for Public Affairs3
PUB_AF 8420Public Program Evaluation3
PUB_AF 7340Regional and Economic Development Policy3
PUB_AF 7175Early Childhood Policy3
PUB_AF 8171Environmental Policy3
 

Semester Plan - Standard BS in Economics

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan will vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 1014 (Arts and Science Diversity Requirement)3ECONOM 10153
MATH 11605MATH 15005
Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science3ENGLSH 10003
Biological or Physical Science Lab4Behavioral Science from Arts and Science3
 Second major, minor, certificate, or elective1
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 32513ECONOM 43513
ECONOM 32713ECONOM, 3000+ level 3
Second Language Alternative3Behavioral or Social Science, 2000+ level3
Humanities, 2000+ level3Second Language Alternative3
First Writing Intensive3Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43533ECONOM 43713
ECONOM 43703Second Language Alternative3
Second Language Alternative3Complementary Field Course3
Humanities from Arts and Science3Humanities3
Complementary Field Course3Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM, 4000- level Writing Intensive3ECONOM, 4000- level 3
Complementary Field Course3Complementary Field Course3
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

Semester Plan - BS in Economics with Quantitative Track

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan will vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 1014 (Arts and Science Diversity Requirement)3ECONOM 10153
MATH 11605MATH 15005
Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science3ENGLSH 10003
Biological or Physical Science Lab4Behavioral Science from Arts and Science3
 Second major, minor, certificate, or elective1
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43513ECONOM 32713
MATH 17005ECONOM 43533
Behavioral Science or Social Science, 2000+ level3MATH 23003
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3Second Language Alternative3
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective1First Writing Intensive3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43713ECONOM, 3000+ level Writing Intensive3
MATH 41403STAT 4710 or 47503
Second Language Alternative3Second Language Alternative3
Humanities from Arts and Science3Humanities3
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43703 ECONOM, 4000- level3
ECONOM, 4000- level3ECONOM, 3000+ level3
STAT 4510 or 47603MATH 4700 or Math 4000- or Stat 4000-3
MATH 3000 or Math 4000- or Stat 4000-3Second Language Alternative3
Second major, minor, certificate, or elective3Humanities 3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.