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Economics - Bachelor of Science 2024-25 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps & Advising

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

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Bulletin or Catalog Year

This guide outlines the requirements in the 2024-25 Bulletin. Bulletin or 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. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

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DARS System  

Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

How to Run a DARS about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5
EC 2014EC 2024Economics Elective (300 Level & above)4
General Elective4General Elective4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
Total Fall Credits13Total Winter Credits13Total Spring Credits12-13

First Year Note: Take math placement test (ALEKS) to determine first math class. Students should consider taking MTH 251 earlier than suggested in order to leave open the option of studying for the BS in Quantitative Economics. See 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
MTH 2514STAT 243Z4STAT 2444
Economics Elective (300 Level & above)4EC 3114EC 3124
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits15-16

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
BS Science with Lab3-4BS Science with Lab3-4BS Science4
EC 427, 456, 457, 460, or 4694Economics Elective (300 Level & above)4Economics Elective (410 & above)4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits15-16Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Milestones: Complete STAT 243Z & 244 (by end of Fall term). Complete EC 311 & 312 (by end of 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), Chicanx/Latinx 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 427, 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.

Resources for Economics

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