Undergraduate Specializations
Specialization Areas for B.A. in Economics
The major provides flexibility for a student to group the required economics electives so that competency in a particular area is demonstrated and future career/study choices are clearer. However, as an economics B.A. graduate, many of these career paths are open to you, regardless of specialization choice. Below are some of the possible tracks available for specialization within the degree. When considering courses, students are required to meet the class requirements of their catalog year.
“General Economics” Specialization: 15 units, of which at least six (6) units must be at the 400-level. Receive exposure to many aspects of the discipline for a wide range of career and educational options. Post B.A. options could include post-secondary teaching and graduate school in an interdisciplinary M.A. program or law school.
International Specialization: Nine (9) units from the list below, of which at least three (3) units must be at the 400-level; the remaining six (6) units are electives, which students are free to choose. Focus on courses with an international component; show interest/training in global issues. Post B.A. options could include preparation for graduate school in international economics/development/area studies, as well as employment as an international trade specialist or as a research assistant such as for IMF or some global development banks.
- ECON 330 Comparative Economic Systems
- ECON 332 Economies of the Pacific Rim
- ECON 333 Economic Development
- ECON 334 Economics of Latin America
- ECON 335 International Economy
- ECON 336 Economies of the Middle East
- ECON 411 International Trade
- ECON 431 International Macroeconomics
- ECON 433 The Less Developed Countries and the World Economy
Quantitative Analysis Specialization: Nine (9) units from the list below, of which at least six (6) units must be at the 400-level; the remaining six (6) units are electives, which students are free to choose. Focus on courses with math components. Students interested in preparation for graduate school in economics/math or employment/internships as an economic data analyst or business forecaster should include additional math preparation, beyond the choices from the required economics electives listed. [Advising note: take ECON 440 – Econometrics in upper-division core; take MATH 150B or 270A in the lower-division core.]
- ECON 441 Mathematical Economics
- ECON 410 Industrial Organization
- ECON 411 International Trade
- ECON 412 Labor Economics
- ECON 420 Money and Banking
- ECON 431 International Macroeconomics and Growth
- ECON 433 The Less Developed Countries and the World Economy
- ECON 462 Natural Resource Economics
- Additional suggested work would include courses from the math, ISDS and/or computer science departments. Please speak with an advisor for specific class suggestions.
Public Policy Specialization: Nine (9) units, of which at least three (3) units must be at the 400-level; the remaining six (6) units are electives, which students are free to choose. Focus on courses with policy and analytic components. Post B.A. options could include preparation for law school/M.A./MPA in public policy, planning or government/non-governmental positions (i.e. tax economist, policy analyst, consumer affairs director and regulatory policy analyst).
- ECON 333 Economic Development
- ECON 350 American Economic History
- ECON 355 Economics of Gender and Work
- ECON 361 Urban Economics
- ECON 362 Environmental Economics
- ECON 410 Industrial Organization
- ECON 412 Labor Economics
- ECON 413 Law and Economics
- ECON 415 Economics of Health
- ECON 416 Cost-Benefit Analysis
- ECON 417 Public Finance
- ECON 420 Money and Banking
- ECON 421 Monetary and Fiscal Policy
- ECON 450 History of Economic Thought
- ECON 462 Natural Resource Economics
Applied Microeconomics/Sector Specialization: Nine (9) units, of which at least three (3) must be at the 400-level; the remaining six (6) units are electives, which students are free to choose. Focus on courses with quantitative and analytical applications in microeconomics. Post-B.A. options could include sector employment (i.e. healthcare administrator or graduate work).
- ECON 355 Economics of Gender and Work
- ECON 361 Urban Economics
- ECON 362 Environmental Economics
- ECON 410 Industrial Organization
- ECON 412 Labor Economics
- ECON 413 Law and Economics
- ECON 415 Economics of Health
- ECON 416 Cost-Benefit Analysis
- ECON 418 Behavioral Economics
- ECON 419 Economics of Education
- ECON 441 Math Economics