Nov 25, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Economics BS, General Economics Specialization


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Positions of responsibility in today’s world are usually held by individuals who have the capacity to analyze complex problems and make intelligent decisions. Learning economics will help students think logically and improve their ability to use economic concepts to analyze “real world” problems and opportunities. In addition to preparation for business and government agency employment, an economics major is excellent preparation for law schools, Master of Business Administration programs, and graduate programs in economics, agricultural economics, and natural resource management. 

Graduation Requirements
A cumulative grade point average of 2.25 in the above courses must be achieved with a minimum grade of C- in each course. The credit/no credit option will not be accepted for any of these courses. The student must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 in all collegiate study. These criteria also apply to equivalent courses transferred from other institutions.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Comprehension of microeconomic, macroeconomic and statistical concepts.
  • Effective communication in written and oral business presentations.
  • Problems solving ability using integrative and critical assessment of business information and appropriate technical tools.
  • Career readiness through participation in co-curricular programs and activities.

Economics Requirements and Foundation Core


Admission Requirements
Admission to an Economics major requires admission to the University.

The following requirements must be met for entry into an Economics major in the College of Business:

  • Completion of 30 credits (If a student is a transfer student, credits must be transferable)
  • Must be in good academic standing
  • At least a 2.25 collegiate GPA
  • Completion of ENG 101 and ENG 102 with a C- or higher, or equivalent

Students seeking entry to the College without these requirements may be granted pre-major standing.

International students whose native language is not English must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:

A score of 71 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL or 525 or above on the paper-based TOEFL (195 for computer based, 71 for internet based), OR

A score of 6.0 or above on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, OR

A 3.0 (B grade) or above in each two college-level English composition courses from an accredited United States college or university. Contact the Office of Admissions to find out what courses are acceptable.

Students who have met all of the above requirements will be admitted unless the number of applicants exceeds available space. In that case, acceptance will be competitive. 

Previous or Transfer Coursework Policy
Business courses taken to fulfill the requirements for an undergraduate or graduate degree from the CWU College of Business must have been taken within the last 10 years at the time of graduation. Exceptions may be made but must be approved prior to acceptance into the College of Business by the department chair and dean or designee.

Students wishing to have credits from non-United States institutions considered for transfer into the College of Business for any major or minor must have their transcripts evaluated through outside credential evaluators who are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), such as the Foundation for International Services (FIS), the World Education Service (WES), or Educational Perspectives. Students who intend to pursue the CPA may instead decide to use the NABSA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) international evaluation services since it is a requirement of the CPA. Credits for current students participating in a CWU study abroad program will be evaluated by the Office of the Registrar.

Equivalent lower-division (100-200 level) courses may be transferred toward meeting the foundation course requirements for any BS degree in the college. Upper-division (300-400 level) courses may be transferred toward meeting the major requirements only with the approval of the department chair and the college dean (or designee).

Academic Jeopardy Policy
The College of Business is committed to the success of its students. If a student that has been admitted to the College of Business is deemed to be in academic jeopardy, the College of Business may place restrictions on the student. A student is considered in academic jeopardy for the following reasons:

  • On academic warning or probation
  • Frequently withdraws from class
  • Repeating coursework to be successful
  • Has less that a 2.5 (2.499 and below) in any of the required GPAs for graduation.
    • CWU GPA
    • Collegiate GPA (CWU and all transfer coursework combined)
    • Major GPA
    • Upper-division coursework in the major GPA
    • Accounting majors: upper-division Accounting coursework GPA

The College of Business may do the following in response to an Academic Jeopardy situation:

  • Limit College of Business coursework in future quarters
  • Require academic advising with both faculty and/or professional advisors
  • Require academic success plans
  • Double majors or double specialization students may be limited to one major plan in the College of Business

If a student is unable to improve academically while receiving intensive advising and support or does not actively participate in required advising, the student may be subjected to the College of Business Separation Policy.

Separation Policy
If a student that has been admitted to the College of Business is placed on academic warning, probation, suspension, has repeat academic course withdrawals, or academic performance below the necessary grade point averages required to graduate, then the student’s admission into the College of Business may be rescinded. Students may also be rescinded for violations of the College of Business Statement of Conduct and Code of Honor, or for engaging in Prohibited Student Conduct as defined by Washington Administrative Code (see WAC 106-125-020). Once rescinded, the student will be denied readmission to the College of Business for one year following which a written petition for readmission must be presented at least 30 days prior to the start of the quarter in which readmission is desired. The decision to readmit will be based on meeting current admission standards, analysis of the entire academic record, as well as any other sources of information deemed appropriate. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Service to Other Majors
Students majoring in programs outside CB who are required to take courses in this college for either their major or minor will be eligible to enroll on a space-available basis. These students will be given priority over other non-college majors wishing to enroll in courses. All students must have taken prerequisites for courses prior to enrollment.

Transfer Credits and Prior Learning Assessment
Equivalent lower-division (100-200 level) courses may be transferred toward meeting the pre-admission requirements. Upper-division (300- to 400-level) courses may also be transferred toward meeting the business core and specialization requirements, but only with the approval of the department chair and the college dean (or designee).

Repeat Policy
Business administration courses may be repeated only once.

Select one from the following for 5 credits:


Foundation Core Requirements Total Credits: 29


General Economics Specialization


This specialization is recommended for students desiring the traditional Economics major. Highly recommended supporting courses: MATH 172, MATH 173, and FIN 370.

There are no additional pre-admission courses required.

Department-Approved Electives Credits: 30


  • Any 300- to 400-level economics courses; one accounting course (5) may be selected in place of one economics course.

Total Specialization Credits: 63


Total Credits: 93


College and Department Information


Economics Department  
College of Business  

College of Business Admission Requirements
For information on admission requirements, please go to: College of Business  .

Program Codes
Major plan codes: ECON, ECONP
Specialization plan code: GEEC

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