Economics, Bachelor of Science (and accelerated masters)
VCU
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.
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.
- Budget, Financial, or Public Policy Analyst
- Economist
- Information Scientist
- Journalist
- Loan Officer
- Personal Financial Advisor
- Research Assistant
- Statistician
- Underwriter
- Urban Planner
- College Professor
- Economic Consultant
- Financial Manager
- Policy Advisor
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.
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
- ECON 501 or SCMA 302 or STAT 314
- MATH 200 or BUSN 212
- Core only
- No
- Yes
- 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare major, 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, and 2.0+ major GPA to graduate
Economics, Bachelor of Science (and accelerated masters)
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 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explore | Year 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Experience | Year 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Explore GRASP financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
- Attend RBC Orientation.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
- Schedule an appointment with your Learner Mentor to discuss your degree and class plan.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Register to vote.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
- Find out more about the VCU School of Business.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- 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
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
- Explore possible career opportunities for economics majors.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- 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.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
- Submit the FAFSA on time.
- Be prepared for academic challenges by meeting with your Learner Mentor and understanding RBC Student Support available.
- Students considering graduate-level education in Economics beyond the bachelor's degree should take Calculus I (MTH 251) rather than Business Calculus (MTH 200).
- Explore the accelerated BS to MA in Economics program.
- Practice using the statistical functions of Excel.
- Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply to VCU.
- 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.
- Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- 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.
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
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.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
Economics, Bachelor of Science (and accelerated masters)
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Science: Business Administration)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
Students who earn this associate degree before enrolling at VCU will be eligible for a waiver of VCU's general education requirements. | ||||
BUS 201 | Principles of Accounting I | ACCT 203 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
BUS 202 | Principles of Accounting II | ACCT 204 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
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 | BUSN 225 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
ECON 201 | Macroeconomics | ECON 211 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
ECON 202 | Microeconomics | ECON 210 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
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 (Ancillary) |
MATH 217 | Introduction to Statistics | STAT 210 | 3 | Elective |
BUS 104 | Introduction to Business | BUSN 201 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
Complete general education and elective requirements for associate degree | VCU equivalents | 30 | General education | |
Richard Bland credits transferred to VCU | 60 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
Your GPA Doesn't Transfer With You Although you worked hard to earn your grades at your current institution, they will only be considered by VCU for an admission decision. Once you enroll at VCU, your GPA will reset to 0.0, and your new GPA will be determined by your level of success in your classes at VCU. | |||
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 501 or SCMA 302 | Introduction to Econometrics or Business Statistics II | 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 |
BUSN 301 | Career and Professional Development | 1 | Major (Ancillary) |
BUSN 323 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
BUSN 499 | Business Knowledge Exam | 0 | Major (Ancillary) |
FIRE 311 | Financial Management | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
MGMT 303 | Creativity and Ideation | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
MGMT 310 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
MGMT 434 | Strategic Management | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
MKTG 301 | Marketing Principles | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
SCMA 301 | Business Statistics I (or open elective if VCU Business approves MATH 217 from Richard Bland as substitute for this requirement) | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
SCMA 320 | Production/Operations Management | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
INFO 360 | Business Information Systems (or ACCT 307) | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
Open elective | 2 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 60 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 | ||
The accelerated B.S. and M.A. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. and M.A. in economics in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 85 undergraduate credit hours including ECON 300, ECON 301 and ECON 302 ; an overall GPA of 3.25; and a GPA of 3.25 in economics and quantitative course work. |