2020-2021
Bachelor of Science: Economics (Humanities and Sciences)
VCU
Community college:
Associate of Science: Business Administration (Richard Bland College of William and Mary)
Associate degree
Program description
Economics is the science of human choice, the study of how individuals and businesses allocate scarce resources among competing uses. As an economics major, you’ll gain an understanding of markets and incentives, and learn to evaluate current events and assess public policy. From our gateway course to our capstone programs, you’ll develop the analytical and communication skills valued by employers. Our curriculum focuses on applying quantitative and data analysis expertise to address business, public policy, and socioeconomic concerns. We also help you build and refine your communication skills, preparing you to present your work professionally with confidence.
Career opportunities
Undergraduate work in economics is excellent preparation for careers in business, government, and teaching, as well as for graduate work in economics and professional schools such as law, public administration, and medicine. Specialization in economics prepares students for careers that emphasize analytical thinking, a broad understanding of the economy and business organizations, and the impact firm/government decisions have upon consumers, firms, and the economy as a whole. Because of their analytical, quantitative and decision-making skills, students who major in economics are sought after for a wide array of positions. In particular, the specific skills economics majors acquire provide employment opportunities in large organizations that forecast business conditions and analyze economic data.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Budget, Financial, or Public Policy Analyst
- Economist
- Information Scientist
- Journalist
- Loan Officer
- Personal Financial Advisor
- Research Assistant
- Statistician
- Underwriter
- Urban Planner
Contact information
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 200 or BUSN 212
- SCMA 301 or STAT 210 or STAT 212
Science required
- Core only
Foreign language requirements
- Yes
Additional tuition/fees
- No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare major, 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, and 2.0+ major GPA to graduate
VCU Major Maps
Transfer major map
2020-2021
Bachelor of Science: Economics (Humanities and Sciences)
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Science: Business Administration)
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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Explore | Year 1 |
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Experience | Year 2 |
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Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Attend RBC Orientation.
- Schedule an appointment with your Learner Mentor to discuss your degree and class plan.
- Register for ESE 101 if you have not taken any college level classes.
- Attend FAFSA Fridays to understand how you will fund your education. These events are available every Friday in October and February.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at RBC and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU's annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Explore possible career opportunities for economics majors.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Familiarize yourself with the career services offered at RBC and VCU and explore career pathways on the VCU Career Services website.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Be prepared for academic challenges by meeting with your Learner Mentor and understanding RBC Student Support available.
- Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
- Practice using the statistical functions of Excel.
- Students considering graduate-level education in Economics beyond the bachelor's degree should take Calculus I (MTH 251) rather than Business Calculus (MTH 200).
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing for next year.
- Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a current issue through ConnectVA.
- Join a professional organization related to economics: American Economic Association, OmicronDeltaEpsilon.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Consider learning a foreign language or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or School of Business-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs at RBC or VCU to explore your interests.
- Plan to complete at least two job experiences, (e.g., internships) before your senior year of college.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
Recommended courses
2020-2021
Bachelor of Science: Economics (Humanities and Sciences)
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Science: Business Administration)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
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ENGL 101 | Rhetoric and Research I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENGL 102 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Research II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
COM 101 | Public Speaking | SPCH 121 | 3 | General education |
Fine Arts | Core course in The Language and History of the Fine Arts (select 1): ART 201, 202, 231, MUS 103, 123, THEA 201 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
SOC 201 | General Sociology (or PSY 201-202 but both courses must be taken to receive credit for PSYC 101) | SOCY 101 | 3 | General education |
PHIL 203 | Intro to Ethics | PHIL 201 | 3 | General education |
Human Experience | Core courses in The Human Experience (select 1): PHIL 101, 121, 201, 202, 203, PSY 201-202, 250, 260, 291, REL 201, 209, 210, 270, SOC 201, 204, 208, 250, 253 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Laboratory Science | Core course in the Investigation of the Natural World (select 1 with lab): BIOL 101/L, 110, 151/L, CHEM 101/L, 110/L, PHYS 101/L, 201/L, SCIE 111/L | VCU equivalent | 4 | General education |
MATH 200 | Calculus for Business Note: Students considering graduate-level education in Economics beyond the bachelor's degree should take Calculus I (MTH 251) rather than Business Calculus (MTH 200). | BUSN 212 | 3 | Major |
MATH 217 | Introduction to Statistics | STAT 210 | 3 | Major |
ECON 201 | Macroeconomics | ECON 211 | 3 | Major |
ECON 202 | Microeconomics | ECON 210 | 3 | Major |
U.S. & World Cultures | Core courses in U.S. and World Cultures (select 1): GEO 103, GOVT 201, 202, 203, 253, HIST 101, 102, 192, 201, 202 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
BUS 104 | Introduction to Business | BUSN 201 | 3 | Elective |
BUS 201 | Principles of Accounting I | ACCT 203 | 3 | Elective |
BUS 202 | Principles of Accounting II | ACCT 204 | 3 | Elective |
CSCI 202 | Computer Applications | INFO 160, 161, 162 | 3 | Elective |
CSCI 203 | Computer Applications II | INFO 165, 166, 168 | 3 | Elective |
Electives | No more than 2 credits of PE may be chosen | VCU equivalent | 5 | Elective |
Richard Bland credits transferred to VCU | 60 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
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Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement). (This requirement can be fulfilled by means of completion of the 102-level of a language or waived if the student completed up through the third level of a foreign language in high school. Additionally, language waiver and placement testing options are available for native or heritage speakers of a non-english language.) | 0 to 8 | General education | |
ECON 300 | Contemporary Economics Issues | 3 | Major |
ECON 301 | Microeconomic Theory | 3 | Major |
ECON 302 | Macroeconomic Theory | 3 | Major |
ECON | Select one: ECON 431, ECON 441, ECON 442, ECON 461 or ECON 489 | 3 | Major |
ECON | ECON electives (select five 300- or 400-level ECON courses). NOTE: ECON 501 may be used as an elective if SCMA 302 is taken as a required course. ECON 403 may be used as an elective if SCMA 320 is taken as a required course. BUSN 400+401 may be used as electives for students enrolled in the International Consulting Program. | 15 | Major |
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor in General Business or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 18 | Elective | |
Open electives | 15 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 60 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |