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. At least 21 credit hours in Economics must be completed in residence. In addition to the major core requirements, students must complete college and University graduation requirements including University general education requirements.
BS Tracks in Economics
The BS Quantitative Track is a degree program for students who plan to attend graduate school in economics or finance, while the BS Applied Track is a program for students who want more analytical experience for their future career ambitions.
Major Core Requirements for BS in Economics
| Required Economics Coursework | ||
| ECONOM 1014 & ECONOM 1015 | Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics | 5-6 |
| or ECONOM 1000 | General Economics for Journalists | |
| ECONOM 4351 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4353 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4370 | Quantitative Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4371 | Introductory Econometrics | 3 |
| Quantitative Track | ||
| Required Mathematics and Statistics - Quantitative Track | ||
| MATH 1100 & MATH 1140 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 5 |
| or MATH 1160 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 1700 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 2300 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MATH 4140 | Matrix Theory | 3 |
| STAT 4750 & STAT 4760 | Introduction to Probability Theory and Statistical Inference | 6 |
| or STAT 4710 & STAT 4510 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and Applied Statistical Models I | |
| MATH 3000 | Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | 3 |
| or MATH 4100 | Differential Equations | |
or STAT 4000+ | ||
| Complementary Field Course - Quantitative Track | ||
| Any Cmp Sc or Info Tc or Any 2000+ Acctcy, Financ, Math, Stat, or other A&S STEM Course | 3 | |
| Applied Track | ||
| Required Mathematics and Statistics - Applied Track | ||
| MATH 1100 | College Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 1160 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| MATH 1400 | Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I | 3-5 |
| or MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| ECONOM 3271 | Introduction to Applied Econometric Practice | 3 |
| or STAT 3500 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics II | |
| Complementary Field Courses - Applied Track | ||
| Any Cmp Sc or Info Tc or Any 2000+ Acctcy, Financ, Math, Stat, or other A&S STEM Course | 12 | |
Second Language Alternative (for BS degree)
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.
Electives
Students must complete at least five (for the BA) or four (for the BS) of the following 3000+ level or higher electives, with no more than two at the 3000 level, selected with the advisor and completed with a grade of C- or above. One of the chosen Economics Electives should be taken as Writing Intensive. Students who double or dual major will be eligible to waive one 3000 level Economics Elective course.
| ECONOM 3224 | Introduction to International Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 3229 | Money, Banking and Financial Markets | 3 |
| ECONOM 3367 | Law and Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4004 | Topics in Economics- Social Science | 1-3 |
| ECONOM 4311 | Labor Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4315 | Public Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4316 | State and Local Finance | 3 |
| ECONOM 4317 | Urban Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4320 | History of Economic Thought | 3 |
| ECONOM 4326 | Economics of International Trade | 3 |
| ECONOM 4328 | Financial Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4329 | The Banking System and the Money Market | 3 |
| ECONOM 4340 | Introduction to Game Theory | 3 |
| ECONOM 4345 | Economics of Education | 3 |
| ECONOM 4355 | Industrial Organization and Competitive Strategy | 3 |
| ECONOM 4357 | Health Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4360 | Economic Development | 3 |
| ECONOM 4370 | Quantitative Economics (Elective for BA, Required for BS) | 3 |
| ECONOM 4385 | Problems in Economics | 1-3 |
| ECONOM 4846 | Economics of Discrimination | 3 |
| ECONOM 4965 | Independent Research in Economics | 1-3 |
Semester Plan - Applied 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 1014 | 3 | ECONOM 1015 | 3 |
| MATH 1160 | 5 | MATH 1500 | 5 |
| American Government or History | 3 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 |
| Lab Science | 4 | Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Elective | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 4351 | 3 | ECONOM 4353 | 3 |
| ECONOM 3271 | 3 | ECONOM 3000+ level elective | 3 |
| Second Language I (or alternative) | 3-6 | Behavioral or Social Science | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Second Language II (or alternative) | 3-6 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15-18 | 15-18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 4370 | 3 | ECONOM 4371 | 3 |
| Second Language III (or alternative) | 3 | Second Language Alternative IV or Elective | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Complementary Field Course | 3 |
| Complementary Field Course | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 4000+ level elective | 3 | ECONOM 4000+ level elective | 3 |
| ECONOM WI Elective | 3 | Complementary Field Course | 3 |
| Complementary Field Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-126 | |||
Semester Plan - 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 1014 | 3 | ECONOM 1015 | 3 |
| MATH 1160 | 5 | MATH 1500 | 5 |
| American Government or History | 3 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 |
| Lab Science | 4 | Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 4351 | 3 | ECONOM 4353 | 3 |
| ECONOM 3000+ level elective | 3 | MATH 2300 | 3 |
| MATH 1700 | 5 | Second Language II (or alternative) | 3-6 |
| Second Language I (or alternative) | 3-6 | Behavioral or Social Science | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | ||
| 14-17 | 15-18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 4371 | 3 | ECONOM WI Elective | 3 |
| MATH 4140 | 3 | STAT 4710 or 4750 | 3 |
| Second Language III (or alternative) | 3 | Second Language Alternative IV or Elective | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| Complementary Field Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 4370 | 3 | ECONOM 4000+ level elective | 3 |
| ECONOM 4000+ level elective | 3 | Approved Math/Statistics Elective | 3 |
| STAT 4510 or 4760 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-126 | |||
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.
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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.
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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.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.