Economics Major

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2023-24.

Major Requirements

Prospective majors should aim to complete , , , statistics, and calculus by the end of sophomore year, especially if they plan to study abroad during their junior year, and they should aim to complete  by the end of junior year. The economics major meets the classification as a STEM discipline according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) so that international students are eligible for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension.

The major in economics consists of nine courses in economics and two mathematics prerequisites unless pre-matriculation credit (e.g., AP or transfer student credit) for  has been received. Students who have received pre-matriculation credit for  must complete a minimum of eight (8) economics courses.

The major requirements consist of the following:

Required Courses

  • ECON 151 - Introduction to Economics (prerequisite to all advanced ECON courses at the 200-400 level)
  • ECON 251 - Intermediate Microeconomics (must earn a grade of C or better)
  • ECON 252 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (must earn a grade of C or better)
    ​Students are encouraged to take ECON 251 before ECON 252
  • ECON 375 - Applied Econometrics (must earn a grade of C or better)
    • ECON 375 has two mathematics prerequisites, each of which can be satisfied in multiple ways: MATH 161 - Calculus I , or MATH 162 - Calculus II , or MATH 163 - Calculus III ; or the equivalent AP credit. Students with an equivalent international exam transfer credit (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate) or other transfer credit may be eligible for an exemption for MATH 161, per approval by the department chair.MATH 105 - Introduction to Statistics, CORE S143 - Introduction to Statistics , or MATH 316 - Probability. Students who have taken an equivalent course (such as BIOL 320 - Biostatistics or PSYC 309 - Quantitative Methods in Behavioral Research) may petition the department chair for an exemption. Students with an equivalent international exam transfer credit (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate) or other transfer credit may be eligible for an exemption for MATH 105, per approval by the department chair. 
  • Four economics electives. At least two of these electives must be numbered above 300.
  • A senior-level seminar, at the 410 level or above, is required of all majors.  cannot be used to satisfy the seminar requirement except in unusual circumstances and with the permission of the department chair.

GPA Requirement

Satisfactory completion requires a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the economics courses counting towards the major.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the  department page.

Major Declaration

In order to declare the major, students must have first earned a grade of C or better in either  or . Students who declare a major while enrolled in one of these courses may file "provisional" major declarations. Students with a grade lower than C in , , or  may not declare a major until a grade of C or higher is earned.

Economics Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.