Economics, B.A.

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The undergraduate program in economics provides practical preparation for a variety of careers as well as for graduate study in economics, business administration, public policy, and law. Economics is a social science and as such is best studied in the context of broader exposure to the liberal arts and sciences.

Economics is a marketable liberal arts degree. Liberal arts majors (social sciences and humanities) develop excellent writing and research skills, and increase a student’s knowledge of the world. These majors also help students build a stronger and more informed sense of identity and values. Economics at USM also provides students critical thinking and analytical (including statistical) skills.

Program Requirements

Track A Liberal Arts (37 credits)

Major Requirements (19 credits)

ECO 101 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 102 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 103 - Critical Thinking About Economic Issues Credits: 3 (a 120 or above ECO course may be substituted for ECO 103)
ECO 301 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 302 - Intermediate Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 304 - Research Methods in Economics Credits: 3
ECO 400 - Capstone in Economics Credits: 1 (1 credit) to be taken in conjunction with an approved ECO 300-level elective

Major Electives (18 credits)

Six Major Elective Courses

You must take at least six major elective courses; a minimum of four must be from the following ECO courses:

ECO 220 - U.S. Economic and Labor History Credits: 3
ECO 234 - Political Economy in Popular Song Credits: 3
ECO 305 - Econometrics Credits: 3
ECO 310 - Money and Banking Credits: 3
ECO 312 - U.S. Economic Policy Credits: 3
ECO 315 - Economic Development Credits: 3
ECO 316 - Case Studies in International Development Credits: 3
ECO 321 - Understanding Contemporary Capitalism Credits: 3
ECO 323 - U.S. Labor and Employment Relations Credits: 3
ECO 326 - Environmental Economics Credits: 3
ECO 327 - Natural Resource Economics Credits: 3
ECO 333 - Economics and Happiness Credits: 3
ECO 335 - The Political Economy of Food Credits: 3
ECO 370 - International Economics Credits: 3
ECO 399 - Special Topics in Economics Credits: 3
ECO 450 - Readings in Economics Credits: 3
ECO 490 - Independent Readings and Research in Economics Credits: 1-6

Two from the Following List

You may select up to two (of the six required courses) from the following list:

CRM 225 - Crimes Against the Environment Credits: 3
GEO 302 - Gender, Work, and Space Credits: 3
GEO 303 - Economic Geography Credits: 3
SOC 358 - Sociology of Women’s Work Credits: 3

Track B Math Intensive (39 credits)

(recommended for graduate study in economics or related fields)

Major Requirements (16 credits)

ECO 101 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 102 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 301 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 302 - Intermediate Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 304 - Research Methods in Economics Credits: 3
ECO 400 - Capstone in Economics Credits: 1 (1 credit) to be taken in conjunction with an approved ECO 300-level elective

Math Requirements (11 credits)

MAT 152 - Calculus A Credits: 4
MAT 153 - Calculus B Credits: 4
MAT 380 - Probability and Statistics Credits: 3

Major Electives

(12 credits)

Select four courses from the above list of ECO major elective courses.

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.