2014-2015 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Economics
Requirements for a Major in Economics
Economics majors may earn a B.S. or B.A., while business economic majors may earn a B.B.A. degree. Completion of the B.A. degree requires demonstrated third-semester proficiency in a foreign language. Students who wish to earn a B.B.A. in business economics should consult the business section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog. Majors earning a B.S. or B.A. must complete 30 hours of economics, including ECO 210, 211, 312, 313, and 495, the senior-level Capstone course. All economics majors are required to take STA 215 Introductory Applied Statistics and STA 216 Intermediate Applied Statistics, as cognate requirements. In addition, for their third cognate course, students can take either PHI 103 Logic, MTH 122 College Algebra, MTH 125 Survey of Calculus, or MTH 201 Calculus I.
Because economics is a department in the Seidman College of Business, students must achieve a 2.75 cumulative GPA and 55 semester hours to be admitted to the economics program. In order to graduate, upper-division economics majors must achieve a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA and a 2.5 minimum GPA in all economics courses. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 will not be permitted to take additional 300 and 400-level economics or business courses. However, such students may repeat 300 and 400-level Seidman economics and business courses for which they received a low grade. Students may repeat up to three different economics and business courses in their undergraduate career, but no single economics or business course can be repeated more than once. Exceptions are made only with the approval of the associate dean. Economics majors are eligible to participate in the business internship program.
Students who plan to enter a graduate program in economics or finance after completion of the B.A. or B.S. degree are highly recommended to take the following courses: MTH 201, MTH 202, MTH 203, and MTH 227. These students should also consider a mathematics minor and consult with their advisors at an early date to explore alternatives and plan their curricula.
Social studies group majors who choose an emphasis area in economics should make their economics course selections with the advice of the economics department.
Requirements for an Honors Emphasis in Economics
The undergraduate Honors emphasis in economics is for students pursuing a B.S., B.A., or B.B.A. degree in economics. Students must achieve a minimum 3.2 GPA in their economics courses and a 3.2 GPA overall to receive the honors emphasis designation. Courses cannot be taken on a credit/no credit basis. Students are required to complete the following classes, with an Honors section of either ECO 210, ECO 211, or both (honors-designated sections require good standing with the Honors College or a 3.5 GPA overall):
- ECO 210 - Introductory Macroeconomics Credits: 3
- ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics Credits: 3
- ECO 300 - Applied Economic Analysis Credits: 3
- ECO 312 - Applied Microeconomics Credits: 3
- ECO 313 - Business Cycles and Growth Credits: 3
- ECO 401 - Honors Seminar in Microeconomics Credits: 1
- ECO 402 - Honors Seminar in Macroeconomics Credits: 1
- ECO 403 - Honors Capstone Seminar Credits: 1
- ECO 495 - Senior Economic Project (Capstone) Credits: 3