Bachelor of Arts: Economics Major

Course Requirements for a Major in Economics 

These requirements pertain only to the Major in Economics. Students must also take coursework to fulfill the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts program, as set out in the University Calendar of the year of entry or re-entry.

Students are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of their program and registration.

Requirements and Suggested Course Sequence for a Major in Economics

The Major in Economics requires a minimum of 36 units at the senior level, as follows:
(Note: Students admitted prior to Fall 2024 only require 30 units at the senior level.)

Core Requirements (sequences in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative courses)

  • Year 1: ECON 101, ECON 102, ECON 109, MATH 154, MATH 156, STAT 161
    • Junior courses are not counted towards the senior-level requirement
  • Year 2: ECON 281, ECON 282, ECON 299
  • Year 3: ECON 384, ECON 385, ECON 399
  • Year 4: No 4XX requirements in the BA Major in Economics

Elective Requirements (field courses in various sub-disciplines in Economics)

  • Year 1: No 1XX electives in the BA Major in Economics
  • Years 2, 3, and 4:
    • 6 units at the 200-level or above
    • 6 units at the 300-level or above
      • except students admitted prior to Fall 2024
    • 6 units at the 400-level

ECON 109 Requirement

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 should complete ECON 109 earlier rather than later in their programs. See Courses: ECON 109 for detailed information.

Questions?

For questions concerning Economics requirements, or for registration issues (Economics courses only), please contact the Undergraduate Advisor

For questions concerning the general requirements of your degree, contact Arts Undergraduate Student Services, located in 1-17 Humanities Center or email: arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca


GPA Requirements for a Major in Economics

Promotion from year to year in the Economics major requires a GPA of at least 2.3 on a minimum of 9 units on the most recent assessment of academic standing.

Ineligible to Continue in Major in Economics

Current majors who do not meet the promotion requirements will be notified that they are not eligible to continue in the Economics major, and their major will be changed to "Undeclared." Students should prepare to complete an alternate major.

Students who are ineligible to continue in the Economics major are required to complete a subsequent Fall and Winter (two-term) session and achieve a GPA of 2.3 on at least 9 units to be eligible to reapply to the major. Students will not be readmitted on the basis of Fall term grades alone.

Students who are ineligible to continue in the major and have registered in courses restricted to Economics majors during advance registration may be dropped from these courses.Students will not be dropped from any other courses, or from non-restricted Economics courses. Students are welcome to re-enroll in restricted courses after the restriction date indicated in Bear Tracks.

Students who have been Required to Withdraw from the Faculty of Arts must present an AGPA of 2.3 to be readmitted to Economics.

Economics GPA Information Sheet

Applying to the Major in Economics

Current BA students in the Faculty of Arts can apply to the Economics major using the link below. All other students should visit the University of Alberta Admissions site to begin a new application for admission and to check application deadlines.

For current BA students, a GPA of 2.3 on at least 9 units in the most recent Fall / Winter (two-term) session is required for admission to the Economics major. Students are not considered on the basis of Fall term grades alone. For students applying from other faculties or institutions, an AGPA of 2.3 is required.

The Department of Economics will review applications, and advise students of the admission decision to their University email address, within approximately 10 working days of application submission.

Deadlines:

Certain courses in Economics are restricted to Economics majors until Spring - refer to Bear Tracks for restriction dates. To enroll in these courses during advance registration in March, current BA students must apply by February 28 , provided they are eligible, to ensure the major is declared in time for their Enrollment Date. We do not grant early registration to non-majors in restricted courses; students will have access to them once they are declared as a  major, or when open registration begins, whichever comes first.

Apply to the Major in Economics

Restricted Courses

The following courses are restricted to Economics Majors until Spring: ECON 299, 384, 385, 386, 399, and all 400-level courses.

All other students, including students ineligible to continue in the Economics major, may register after this date, providing they have the necessary prerequisites and the classes are not full. Please refer to Bear Tracks for the date of open registration.

For questions concerning the Major in Economics, please contact the Undergraduate Advisor.