Economics (B.A.) Academic Course Map

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics (ECON) at CU Boulder provides a highly structured experience that develops increasing levels of sophistication. It begins with courses in economic principles, continues to intermediate courses in economic theory and empirical practice, and culminates with rigorous courses in the applied fields of economics. Successful graduates are well-equipped to perform economic analysis in most commercial and policy settings, and to continue on to graduate school.

Economics is a quantitative, policy-oriented social science with a highly developed body of theory and a wide range of real-world applications. Economists seek to describe the process by which societies use scarce resources to attain societal goals and predict the consequences of changes in those processes. Theoretical models, understanding of economic and policy-making institutions, quantitative analysis, and the examination of data embody this field of knowledge. 

Admission Requirements

Students who begin at a Colorado Community College can transfer directly to CU Boulder to finish their degree in any of the programs offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Please see the CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences’ Colorado Community College webpage for more information detailed information admissions requirements for students transfering from a Colorado Community College. 

Transfer Recommendations

To graduate in a 4-year overall time frame, it is important that students follow the recommended schedule below. Students who wish to continue their education at the community college beyond the number of credits specified below should explore with both community college and CU Boulder staff how their graduation timeline, COF stipend, and financial aid will be affected.

Suggested Four-Year Course Plan for the Economics (ECON) major

This is a suggested guide of coursework only and is subject to change. Always consult your academic advisor for graduation planning purposes. Depending on a student’s situation, a different plan might be more applicable.

Your community college must offer an Associate of Arts degree with Designation (DwD) in Economics to use this transfer guide.

Your Community College (first two years)

Fall Semester 1

Course	Course Title	Credits
ECO 201/2001*	Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)	3
ENG 121/1021	English Composition I (GT-CO1)	3
MAT 121/1340	College Algebra (GT-MA1)**	4
	Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)	3
	Transfer Elective	3
	Total Credits	16

Spring Semester 1

Course	Course Title	Credits
ECO 202/2002	Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)	3
ENG 122/1022	English Composition II (GT-CO2)	3
MAT 122/1420	College Trigonometry (GT-MA1)**	3
	Guaranteed Transfer History Course (GT-HI1)	3
	Transfer Elective	3
	Total Credits	15

Fall Semester 2

Course	Course Title	Credits
MAT 201/2410	Calculus 1 (GT-MA1)	5
	Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Natural & Physical Sciences Course (GT-SC1)	4
	Transfer Elective	3
	Total Credits	15

Spring Semester 2

	Course Title	Credits
MAT 135/1260	Introduction to Statistics (GT-MA1)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Natural & Physical Sciences Course (GT-SC1 or GT-SC2)	4
	Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)	3
	Transfer Electives	4
	Total Credits	14

Total community college credits: 60

Completion of the four semesters of coursework above fulfills the requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree with Designation (DwD) in Economics at most Colorado community colleges and fulfills the General Education requirements at CU Boulder.

 

CU Boulder (last two years)

Fall Semester 3

Course	Course Title	Credits
ECON 3070	Intermediate Microeconomic Theory	4
ECON 3818	Intro to Statistics with Computer Applications	4
	Lower- or Upper-Division Non-Major Elective	3
	Lower- or Upper-Division Non-Major Elective	4
	Total Credits	15

Spring Semester 3

Course	Course Title	Credits
ECON 3080	Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory	3
ECON 4818 or ECON 4848 or ECON 4858	Intro to Econometrics Applied Econometrics Financial Econometrics	3
	Lower- or Upper-Division Non-Major Elective	3
	Lower- or Upper-Division Non-Major Elective	3
	Upper Division Elective	3
	Total Credits	15

Fall Semester 4

Course Title	Credits
ECON 4000-level Major Elective	3
ECON 4000-level Major Elective	3
ECON 4000-level Major Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Total Credits	15

Spring Semester 4

Course Title	Credits
ECON 4000-level Major Elective	3
ECON 4000-level Major Elective	3
Upper Division Elective	3
Upper Division Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Total Credits	15

Total credits at CU Boulder: 60

Completion of all eight semesters of coursework listed above fulfills the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Economics at CU Boulder.

---

*For community college courses, the first course number is previous to summer 2022, and the second course number is the new number starting in summer 2022.

**If student is ready for calculus or pre-calculus, then this course can be replaced by a transfer elective.

***If student is ready for calculus or pre-calculus, then this course can be replaced by MAT 166 Pre-Calculus or a transfer elective.