Program Description

You will study many vital issues that affect human flourishing in the Economics major at SPU. This major emphasizes development and financial economics, with a focus on decision making, resource stewardship, and policy for allocation and distribution of resources and production. Economics is vital to understanding the firm as a system, and also the broader interaction of firms and households with the macroeconomy and political institutions. 

The Public Policy concentration prepares you to pursue work and/or further studies in public administration, global development, and politics.

New Majors Onboarding

All newly admitted majors must attend this onboarding as an introduction to the School of Business, Government, and Economics. Please make note that there are no substitutions for this degree requirement. 

Entering and Completing the Major

You are required to make formal application and be admitted to the Economics major prior to enrollment in most upper-division courses. 

• To meet the minimum requirements for application to the major, you must:
  • Have attained at least sophomore standing (45 or more college credits).
  • Complete at least 15 credits in BUS, ACCT, and ECN at SPU (10 credits for transfer juniors and seniors).
  • Have either a 2.50 cumulative GPA and 2.50 major GPA at SPU, or a 3.0 major GPA. Major GPA does not include transfer work, only courses completed in program at SPU. Attainment of the minimum GPA standards does not guarantee admission, as the total number of students admitted is limited by capacity.
• Submit an online major application by following these instructions by Friday of the third week of either Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarter, before 5:00 p.m. PST. SBGE does not accept major applications outside this window.
• Decisions will be sent to applicants via their SPU email address by Friday of the fifth week of the term, before 5:00 p.m PST. All applicants should be prepared to meet with their faculty advisor in case they are denied admission. All students are eligible to apply to this major up to three times.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, you should meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
• You must complete the major requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major.

Economics: Public Policy (BA)

68 Credits Minimum, Including 50 Upper Division (UD)

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ECN 3811 Microeconomics of Development: Community Development and ECN 3812 Macroeconomics of Development: International Economic Growth may count toward Electives if not used in Core.

Additional Requirements and Information

• New Majors Onboarding

Suggested Course Sequence

This is a sample schedule of sequencing for the Economics Major. There is a bit of flexibility in class placement in your first 2 years as you navigate through the University’s Common and Exploratory Curriculum, and Economics Core. Watch years 3 and 4 closely if you are pursuing an emphasis. These elective courses are offered just once a year and often build upon each other. 

Freshman Notes

• If you have not satisfied the Foreign Language Requirement, complete this year for your Exploratory coursework.
• Take BUS 1700 Spreadsheets autumn or winter quarter (at the latest!).

Sophomore Notes

• You must complete 15 credits in the major to be eligible to apply this year. Applications are accepted in the fall, winter, and spring quarters. 
• Wrap up the Exploratory Curriculum this year.
• Once admitted to the major, you’ll need to attend the New Majors Onboarding.
• Decide if you are doing the internship sequence or calculus sequence. 
  • If you choose the internship sequence, you should begin looking for an internship over the summer after your sophomore year. Recruiting often begins 6 to 12 months prior to an internship start date. 
  • If you choose the calculus sequence, you should begin your series of courses during your sophomore year. 

Junior Notes

• The bulk of the major will be completed during the Junior Year.
• Complete ECN 3811 Microeconomics of Development: Community Development/ECN 3812 Macroeconomics of Development: International Economic Growth and ECN 3202 Intermediate Macroeconomics no later than Junior Year.
• Complete an SBGE approved internship (if doing the internship sequence).

Senior Notes

• Meet with your advisor to discuss the scheduling of courses in the concentration of your choice.
• BUS 3700 Quantitative Methods for Decision Making must be taken no later than Autumn in order to graduate by Spring.