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Economics - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
EC 2014EC 2024Economics Elective (300 Level & above)4
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits12-14

First Year Note: Take math placement test (ALEKS) to determine math placement. Take math courses in preparation for MTH 251 in sophomore year. See your Advisor for more information.

First Year Milestone: Complete EC 201 and 202 (by Spring term).

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
Economics Elective (300 Level & above)4EC 3114EC 3124
MTH 2514STAT 243Z4STAT 2444
Total Fall Credits15-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits14-17

Second Year Milestones: Complete MTH 251 (by Spring term).

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
EC 456, 457, 460, or 4694Economics Elective (300 Level & above)4Economics Elective (410 & above)4
General Elective4General Elective4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits15-16

Third Year Milestones: Complete STAT 243Z & 244 (by Fall term). Complete EC 311 & 312 (by Spring term).

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Economics Elective (410 & above)4Economics Elective (410 & above)4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
General Elective4Upper Division General Elective4Economics Elective (410 & above)4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
General Elective4General Elective3  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits15Total Spring Credits14

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • EC 456, 457, 460, or 469: One course required. Other may be taken to meet elective requirements.
  • Economics Elective (410 & above): EC 403 and 415 may not be used as electives.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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