Economics

College: Social Sciences and Public Policy
Degree: BS
Limited Access: Yes

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Economics major is a superior general education program that strives to make students aware of the critical issues in economics; to provide them with a basic understanding of the tools needed to analyze those issues; and to prepare them for (a) entry-level positions in financial, managerial and administrative areas of the public and private sector, or (b) entry into graduate and professional schools of law, business, economics, and social sciences. Among the topics covered by the curriculum are the theory of markets and the price system, the organization of industries, labor supply and its uses, the commercial banking and credit system, government finance, the national income and its production and distribution, economic growth and development, and international trade and finance. An internship program (ECO 4941) is available to qualified students.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: 6 hours.
A grade of C or higher is required in each course (C minus is not accepted). These may also apply toward the major and General Education.

ECO X013 (3) Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO X023 (3) Principles of Microeconomics
or six (6) semester hours in economics courses (ECO).

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Students who plan to major in Economics should take:
ECO 2013 and ECO 2023; MAC 1105, precalculus, or calculus (strongly recommended); and STA 2122 or STA 2023 or STA 4321. MAC 1140 (precalculus) and STA 2122 (applied statistics) are also recommended.

**A calculus course (either MAC2233 or MAC2311) is required for students entering the Economics major as of Fall 2024. Students who enter the Economics major prior to Fall 2024 can choose among several math courses (MAC1105, MAC1140, MAC1147, MAC2233, or MAC2311).

Admission Requirements to the Upper-Division Major
Admission is based on availability of faculty and space and upon academic performance. Students with 52 or more acceptable credit hours, both ECO 2013 and 2023 completed with a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher, and who are in good academic standing with the University will be given priority consideration for admission to this limited access major, but are not guaranteed admission to the program. A minimum GPA of 2.50 on all college coursework attempted is required for consideration.

Requirements

Continuation/progress in the major
In addition to earning a C or higher in ECO 2013 and ECO 2023, students must earn grades of C minus or higher in all economics courses and supporting courses used to satisfy major requirements and must maintain an overall GPA of 2.00 in economics and supporting courses. Majors should try to complete all core courses by the end of the second term as a junior. To continue in the major, required milestones can be found on the Academic Map. At least 18 hours in economics courses must be taken at FSU. Any transfer credit intended to meet major requirements must be approved by the Undergraduate Director for Economics.

A student who has received more than two (2) unsatisfactory grades (U, F, D, D-, D+) in any ECO, ECP, or ECS upper division course, taken at Florida State University, or elsewhere, including repeated unsatisfactory grades in the same course, will not be permitted to graduate with a degree offered by the Department of Economics.

Economics Major: 39 hours

Principles: (6 hours)
ECO 2013 (3) Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 2023 (3) Principles of Microeconomics

Economics Core Courses: (12 hours)
ECO 3101 (3) Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
ECO 3203 (3) Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
ECO 3431 (3) Analysis of Economic Data
ECO 4421 (3) Introduction to Econometrics

Other required Economics coursework: (15 hours)
15 additional hours of 3000/4000 economics elective courses must be completed. (For further details see the Department's website: http://coss.fsu.edu/economics ).

Supporting coursework: (6 hours)
STA 2023 or STA 2122 or STA 4321 (3). STA 2122 preferred.
MAC 1105 or MAC 1140 or MAC 2233 or MAC 2311 (3-4). Calculus is strongly recommended for economics majors and is required for admission to the Master’s in Applied Economics.

Minor Coursework: 12-18 hours.
A minor is required for the Economics major. Recommended minors are: business, business analytics, entrepreneurship, math, statistics, computer science, history, psychology, and anything in the social sciences. Students must contact the department offering the minor to determine requirements and must meet those requirements.

Digital Literacy: ECO 4421 (3) Introduction to Econometrics

Oral Communication Competency: 0-3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with an approved college-level course.


Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework (including Supporting Courses) 39*
Minor Coursework 12-18
Digital Literacy 0 beyond major requirements
Oral Communication Competency
Other Coursework 0
Electives to bring total credits to 120

*Note: ECO 2013 (3) and ECO 2023 (3) are listed as “Major” requirements, but they may also satisfy some General Education requirements. Required mathematics and statistics courses may also satisfy some General Education requirements. Calculus is strongly recommended for students who plan to enter graduate school.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degrees in a timely manner. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.

Employment Information
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Bank Examiner, Consultant to business, government, etc., Credit Analyst, Economist, Investment Analyst, Economic Analyst, Loan Officer, Financial Reporter/Analyst, Purchasing Agent, Teacher at a College or Junior College (with further education), Securities Broker, Underwriter, Actuary, Insurance Claim Examiner.

Representative Employers: Banks and Financial Institutions, Large Manufacturing Firms, Insurance Companies, Research Firms, Brokerage Houses, Trade Unions, Governmental Agencies, Business Associations, College and Universities (Ph.D. graduate), Consulting Firms.