Economics
| Degree: | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) |
| Major: | Economics |
| Minors: | Economic Policy Quantitative Economics |
| Department: | Department of Commerce Building 53, Room 120E (850) 474-2652 https://uwf.edu/programs/cob/economics-ba/ |
| College: | Business |
| CIP Code: | 45.0601 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
The B.A. in Economics is typically of interest to students with strong academic credentials and a desire to make a difference by helping to shape policy in a wide range of areas in society. Economics majors will develop conceptual and analytical skills for making policy-oriented decisions based on analysis of fundamental resource allocation issues. Economists work in a broad range of policy areas and address questions such as the following: What is the best way to fight environmental pollution? What is the appropriate role of government in economy? What rules should govern trade among nations? What is the appropriate economic policy for developing and increasing immigration? What are the effects of tax cuts, budget deficits, and welfare policies on the overall economy? Economists may address fundamental policy issues such as these and others within narrower fields such as health care, agriculture, education, crime, politics, urban and regional development, law, history, energy, and the environment, among many others. The B.A. in Economics is structured to provide the opportunity for students to earn minor degrees in many of these specialized fields.
Most economists are concerned with practical applications of economic policy and work for a wide variety of public, private, and governmental organizations. The job market for individuals with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics is robust and tends to be less cyclical than the market for students with many other degrees. The B.A. in Economics provides a comprehensive foundation for students who wish to obtain a graduate degree in economics and is also recognized as excellent preparation for graduate programs such as Law or the MBA.
Students are urged to consult with faculty members associated with the Economics program and its recommended minors for detailed information about the program’s academic learning outcomes and to develop an appropriate course of study for their intended career path.
Program Requirements
In addition to the university’s general requirements, students seeking the B.A. in Economics must meet the requirements listed below.
A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses in the Economics core and Economics electives.
No more than 24 percent of the B.A. in Economics may be in traditional business subjects, excluding economics courses. Students who wish to include extensive business coursework in their program should declare the B.S.B.A. Economics (Business) degree program (See Economics, Business section).
Students should consult their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Economics BA majors should take the following courses to satisfy components of the General Education curriculum:
| Mathematics | ||
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| MAC 2233 | Calculus with Business Applications | 3 |
| or MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| Humanities/Contemporary Values and Expressions | ||
| PHI 2010 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| Social Sciences/ Socio-political | ||
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Economics Macro | 3 |
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Economics Macro * | 3 |
| ECO 2023 | Principles of Economics Micro | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirement.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. Economics majors should include electives that will help to prepare them for potential minor programs of study. Students should consult their academic advisor for guidance in course selection. | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Major
| ECO 3101 | Intermediate Microeconomics + | 3 |
| ECO 3203 | Intermediate Macroeconomics + | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Business and Economic Forecasting + | ||
| International Trade and Commercial Policy + | ||
| Six 3000/4000 level ECO or ECP electives *, + | 18 | |
| Money and Banking | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Economics | ||
| Business and Economic Forecasting | ||
| International Trade and Commercial Policy | ||
| Economics Internship | ||
| Environmental Economics and Policy | ||
| Natural Resources Economics | ||
| Industrial Economics | ||
| Urban and Regional Economic Development | ||
| Sports Markets | ||
| Total Hours | 27 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA
* or ECO 4704 International Trade and Commercial Policy may be used to partially fulfill this requirement if not used to fulfill the Core Requirement. ECO 3003 Principles of Economic Theory and Public Policy may not be used to partially fulfill this requirement.
Upper Division Electives
| Students are strongly encouraged to declare minor(s) in one or more of the following fields after consultation with their academic and career advisors: Biology, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, International Studies, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law, and Psychology. Students who plan to pursue a graduate degree in economics should minor in mathematics or take a large number of quantitative/ statistics courses. | 33 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Economic Policy
The Minor in Economic Policy is designed for and only available to non-business majors. It gives students in a wide variety of majors the opportunity to add value to their major degree. It is especially appropriate for students who plan to enter law school or work in political or public policy-oriented career fields. The Economic Policy Minor requires completion of 15 sh with a grade of “C” or higher. Nine hours of 3000/4000 level economics courses must be taken at UWF.
| Four 3000/4000 level economics (ECO or ECP) electives | 12 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Economics Macro | ||
| Principles of Economic Theory and Public Policy | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Quantitative Economics
The Minor in Quantitative Economics is available for all students and is designed for those who wish to learn about math-oriented applications of economic theory. It provides students in a wide variety of majors the opportunity to add value to the major degree. It is especially appropriate for students with strong mathematics interests who plan to build a career as an analyst in financial organizations.
The Quantitative Economics Minor requires completion of 18 sh with a grade of “C” or greater in each course. Nine hours of 3000/4000-level economic courses must be taken at UWF.
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Economics Macro | 3 |
| ECO 2023 | Principles of Economics Micro | 3 |
| ECO 3101 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 4401 | Introduction to Mathematical Economics | 3 |
| ECO 4431 | Business and Economic Forecasting | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Accounting for Non-Majors | ||
| Managerial Finance | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |