Declaring the Major | Progressing in the Major
Description of the Major
As part of the nationally recognized JMU College of Business, the economics major fosters an understanding and appreciation of economic forms of explanation and their relationships to other social sciences. The major will provide you with an intellectual foundation for the appreciation and understanding of economic theory and policy that stresses the importance of imaginative thinking, free inquiry and the pursuit of life-long learning. In this way, the program prepares you with the economic literacy necessary to cope with the challenges inherent in a world of accelerating change.
Economics majors are generally educated students, who go on to develop their analytical, investigative and research skills. With this major, you will use your understanding of economics relationships and markets to work for manufacturing firms, financial services firms, consulting firms, the health care industries, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Economists with strong statistical backgrounds conduct research, analyze data and develop forecasts. Students with a good background in this field are competitive in the job market.
Degrees Offered
B.A.
B.S.
Concentrations
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Financial Economics
International Economics
Socioeconomics
Minors
Economics
Declaring the Major
New Freshmen and Transfer Students
B.A./B.S. Degree
Declare the economics major when you register for orientation. You should set up an interview with the economics department head during your first semester at JMU.
Currently Enrolled Major Changers
Submit a "Change or Declaration of Major" form to the Economics department head in Showker Hall, room 433 and set up an interview with the economics department head.
Progressing in the Major
Students wishing to pursue a B.A or B.S. degree program in economics must be formally admitted to the program in order to enroll in required core courses (ECON 331, ECON 332 and ECON 385). In order to be admitted, you must meet all four of the following criteria.
1. You must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.500 or higher in all JMU course work.
2. You must have a 2.500 grade point average in all Economics courses completed at the time of application.
3. You must have earned a grade of “B” or better in Math 205, Math 231 or Math 235 and in COB 191 or Math 220, if the courses have been completed at the time of admission.
4. Once admitted, you must spend at least three additional semesters at JMU in order to complete the degree.
In addition, students should consult the JMU Undergraduate Catalog (for their class year) in order to make sure that they are thoroughly familiar with the progression and admission standards. The online catalog can be accessed at www.jmu.edu/catalog.
