Bachelor of Arts Honors in Economics Degree Program Guide

Success in this Honors program accelerates entry into graduate and professional work in the field of Economics, giving students the opportunity to make their mark while completing their undergraduate degree. With two routes to choose from, the Graduate Studies Route or the Essay Route, take your Economics education to the next level on your own terms while conducting research and building lasting relationships with faculty members.

Economics is a social science that studies businesses, markets, governments, consumers, workers, and all components that make up an economy. Is globalization making it harder to find jobs? Economists are called upon to research, analyze, and interpret information as well as to offer ideas for solutions and effective policies. Economics uses a well-defined method of analysis, in conjunction with mathematics and statistics, to help make decisions in business, government, and beyond. If you have a strong interest in current affairs and possess skills in mathematics, consider enrolling in the U of A’s Economics program!

Academic Requirements for Economics Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • Honors in Economics requires a minimum of 54 units and a maximum of 72 units in Economics (at the 200-level and above)
  • The Department offers two different routes or sets of course requirements to obtain Honors in Economics
    • One route includes advanced training in econometrics and mathematical economics and is appropriate for students contemplating continuing their studies in economics at the graduate level
    • The other also leads to a specialized degree in economics and requires completion of an honors essay; it is more appropriate for students with different career objectives or contemplating studies in related disciplines after graduation
      • Students should consult the Department Advisor to determine which route to select
  • Regardless of route chosen, promotion from year to year requires a GPA of at least 3.0 with an average of at least 3.3 in all Economics courses
  • Graduation with Honors in Economics requires a graduation average of at least 3.0 with an average of at least 3.3 in all Economics courses. Graduation with First Class Honors requires an average of at least 3.7 on all senior-level Economics courses and a GPA of 3.5 or better on all courses in the final year (last 30 units)
Honors Route for Graduate Study in Economics

Course Requirements

  • ECON 101 - Introduction to Microeconomics AND ECON 102 - Introduction to Macroeconomics, OR ECON 204 - Principles of Economics
  • MATH 125 - Linear Algebra I
  • MATH 154 - Calculus for Business and Economics I
  • MATH 156 - Calculus for Business and Economics II
  • STAT 161 - Introductory Statistics for Business and Economics AND ECON 299 - Quantitative Methods in Economics, OR STAT 265 - Probability and Statistics I AND STAT 266 - Probability and Statistics II
  • ECON 281 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory I
  • ECON 282 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory I
  • ECON 384 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory II
  • ECON 385 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory II
  • ECON 386 - Applications of Mathematics to Economics I
  • ECON 387 - Applications of Mathematics to Economics II
  • ECON 399 - Introductory Econometrics
  • ECON 481 - Advanced Microeconomic Theory
  • ECON 482 - Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
  • ECON 497 - Econometric Methods

*ECON 481, ECON 482, ECON 497 should be taken in Year 4.

Honors Essay Route
  • This program does not have a minor

Course Requirements

  • ECON 101 - Introduction to Microeconomics AND ECON 102 - Introduction to Macroeconomics, OR ECON 204 - Principles of Economics
  • MATH 125 - Linear Algebra I
  • MATH 154 - Calculus for Business and Economics I
  • MATH 156 - Calculus for Business and Economics II
  • STAT 161 - Introductory Statistics for Business and Economics AND ECON 299 - Quantitative Methods in Economics, OR STAT 265 - Probability and Statistics I AND STAT 266 - Probability and Statistics II
  • ECON 281 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory I
  • ECON 282 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory I
  • ECON 384 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory II
  • ECON 385 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory II
  • ECON 386 - Applications of Mathematics to Economics I
  • ECON 399 - Introductory Econometrics
  • ECON 400 - Honors Essay: Fourth-Year Honors Economics
  • ECON 481 - Advanced Microeconomic Theory
  • ECON 482 - Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
  • At least 6 additional units at the 400-level
Additional Notes
  • ECON 109 - Basic Writing in Economics I is a prerequisite for all ECON courses at the 300- and 400-level. ECON 109 will be waived as a prerequisite upon completion of the Assessment of Reading, Comprehension, and Writing in Economics. Students who have successfully completed the Assessment of Reading, Comprehension, and Writing in Economics will not be permitted to enroll/receive credit in ECON 109. Students should complete ECON 109 earlier rather than later in their programs, as part of their first 60 units. Students can contact the Department of Economics for more information about the Assessment
  • Additional courses in mathematics (especially MATH 225), statistics, and computing science are recommended as options
  • 400-level AREC courses approved as Arts options will be applied as senior-level ECON, but will not fulfill 400-level ECON requirements

Academic Requirements for Economics Combined Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • A Combined Honors program in Economics and another discipline requires a minimum of 36 units (Essay Route) or 33 units (Graduate Study Route) at the senior level in Economics and a minimum of 36 units in the other discipline. Requirements in Economics for all Combined Honors programs in Economics are the same as those listed in Honors in Economics
  • Students in the Combined Honors program in Economics and Mathematics may not receive credit for either ECON 386 or ECON 387
Course Requirements
  • Each Combined Honors program must have the approval of the Department of Economics and the other discipline. Only students enrolled in the Honors Essay route complete an Honors Essay. With the permission of the Honors Advisor, students pursuing Combined Honors in Economics (Honors Essay Route) and another discipline may write a combined honors essay (INT D 520) that is supervised jointly by faculty from both programs and the subject of which integrates both disciplines. In these circumstances, students will complete INT D 520 in place of ECON 400
  • See other course requirements in the above Economics Honors course requirements section
Additional Notes
  • 400-level AREC courses approved as Arts options will be applied as senior-level ECON, but will not fulfill 400-level ECON requirements
  • In a Combined Honors program, students must meet the promotion and graduation standards of each department. Requirements in Economics are outlined in the above section

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

What kinds of careers can you pursue with an Economics Honors degree?

There are many different fields and career paths that students can pursue with an Economics Honors degree. From banking and finance to public policy, graduates are equipped with analytical, research and critical thinking skills to name a few, that are assets in today’s job market. Although there is a list of career options below, it is important to understand that careers are not linear. Intentionally engaging in a variety of activities and following your curiosities will open new opportunities that you might not have expected. To learn more about how you can put your Arts degree to work, stop by the HUB Career Centre (8917 HUB Mall) for more information. 

  • Financial Analyst
  • Investment Banker
  • Credit Advisor
  • Educator (Professor, Secondary or Primary)
  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Data Analyst
  • Actuary
  • Environmental Economist
  • Startup Advisor
  • Public Health Analyst
  • Real Estate Analyst
  • +More!

Interested in gaining work experience related to your career goals? If so, apply to Arts Work Experience to gain full-time, PAID, work experience before you graduate!

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