The Major

Students declare the Economics major upon entering the University, or thereafter with the following procedure:
Visit the Economics Admissions Page and meet with a peer advisor to join the major. Economics is an open (unrestricted) major. Academic Advising in the Department of Economics can be contacted at (413) 545-0855 or advising@econs.umass.edu.

These requirements apply to students entering the University of Massachusetts in Fall 2025 or later. For requirements for earlier entry years see archived Guides to Undergraduate Programs.

Requirements:

1. One of the following core Microeconomics courses: ECON 103, RES-ECON 102.
2. One core Macroeconomics course: ECON 104.
3. One of the following introductory Calculus/Math modeling courses: MATH 127, MATH 131
4. One of the following courses in Statistics: RES-ECON 212, STATISTC 240, STATISTC 501, STATISTC 515, PSYCH 240, OIM 240, EDUC 240.
5. One core Introductory Econometrics course: ECON 201
6. One of the following intermediate Microeconomics theory courses: ECON 203, RES-ECON 202.
7. One intermediate Macroeconomics theory course: ECON 204.
8. Junior Year Writing, fulfilled by the following course: ECON 365.
9. Integrative Experience (IE), fulfilled by one of the following courses: ECON 306, ECON 367, ECON 394CI, ECON 394FI, ECON 394II, ECON 394LI, ECON 394IO, ECON 499C. An ECON course used to fulfill the IE also fulfills one of the five electives Econ courses for primary majors.
10. Five ECON elective courses of at least three credits each, not used to satisfy requirements 1-8 above. At least four of the five electives must be numbered 205 or higher.
11. Complete the Intercultural and International Requirement: This requirement is fulfilled by one of the following options:
    • 3 courses, of at least 3 credits each, from Department list of designated Intercultural and International courses or modern language course. Courses used to cover the International/Intercultural requirement cannot also be used to cover University General Education requirements. At most two of these courses can be classified as DU.
    • Completion of a Certificate Program in one of the programs with Intercultural and International emphasis: African Studies, Asian and Asian American Studies, International Agriculture, International Relations, International Scholars Program, Translation and Interpreting Studies, Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies.
    • At least 8 credits of courses transferred from a UMass International Programs Office approved study abroad program. These exchange classes may also be used to cover other Departmental Major Requirements

Notes

1. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 must be earned in courses applied to major requirements. All courses taken for a major requirement must have a letter grade.
2. No more than one Honors Research or Thesis course (ECON 499C, 499D, 499Y, or 499T) may fulfill one of the ECON electives (requirement 10).
3. No more than one Independent Study course (ECON 396, 496, or 596) may fulfill one of the ECON electives (requirement 10).
4. The following practicum courses do not fulfill Economics major requirements: Practicum (ECON 298, 398, 498, 598)
5. One RES-ECON course, of at least three credits, chosen from a list available on the Department of Economics website (https://www.umass.edu/economics/academics/undergraduate/major) may fulfill one of the ECON electives (requirement 10).
6. A minimum of four of the ten required ECON courses must be taken in the Department of Economics at UMass Amherst.
7. There are different requirements depending on whether a student is completing Economics as a primary major, secondary major (double major), or dual degree. All students completing a secondary major (double major) or dual degree with Economics must schedule an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor in the Department of Economics. Appointments are scheduled online, here: https://www.umass.edu/economics/academics/undegraduate/advising.

Graduate School

It is suggested that students considering graduate school meet with the Faculty Advisor Valerie Voorheis, to discuss course selections and other ways to prepare for graduate work. Appointments are scheduled online at https://www.umass.edu/economics/academics/undegraduate/advising.

Education Abroad and Internships

Students can speak with any advisor about Study Abroad opportunities and Internship Coordinator Valerie Voorheis about internships. Appointments are scheduled online, here: https://www.umass.edu/economics/academics/undegraduate/advising. Students can earn credits for internships, and a study abroad experience (of at least 8 credits) fulfills the Economics International and Intercultural Requirement. There are also opportunities to do an internship abroad. Students can also speak with the Office of Global Affairs for information about study in other countries: https://www.umass.edu/global-affairs/.