Undergraduate Economics Program to recieve STEM designation as of Fall 2025
Thanks to the efforts of our faculty, students pursuing a degree in Economics or Mathematical Economics and Economic Theory will receive a Bachelor of Science degree rather than a Bachelor of Arts degree as of Fall 2025.
IMPORTANT DEGREE UPDATE
Starting Fall 2025, the new STEM designation will apply to the two ECON degrees: Economics and Economics, Mathematical Economics and Economic Theory Option.
The Economics, Mathematical Economics, and Economic Theory Option degree involves no curriculum change from BA to BS. Students graduating in Fall 2025 or later can receive the BS degree by fulfilling the original degree requirements.
For students who originally majored in Economics BA and are graduating in Fall 2025 or later, on top of the original major requirements, they need to also complete the following courses by graduation to get an Economics, BS degree:
- MATH 122 - Calculus 1 (4 units) with a grade of "C" or better;
One of the following three courses with a grade of “C” or better:
- ECON 330 - Game Theory (3 units)
- ECON 420 - Forecasting (4 units)
- ECON 485 - Introduction to Econometrics (4 units)
We would like to recommend students graduating in Fall 2025 or later consider fulfilling the requirements to receive a B.S. in Economics. Many industries that recruit economists, such as finance, consulting, and data analysis, prioritize candidates with STEM backgrounds. The rise of the technology industry has led to a significant increase in the employment of economists by companies such as Amazon, Netflix, and Microsoft, which now hire Chief Economists.
Please speak with an Advisor to review your degree plan or if you have any questions.
