B.A. Programs and Minor
Understanding how the economic system works is essential for students who are interested in business, environmental policy, economic development, immigration, educational reform, international competitiveness and trade, economic inequality, and the many ongoing transformations in the global economy. Our undergraduate programs acquaint students with the broad range of issues that economists study and the tools they use to do it.
Learning outcomes
- Be able to apply economic analysis to everyday problems in real-world situations, to understand current events and evaluate specific policy proposals, and to evaluate the role played by assumptions in arguments that reach different conclusions to a specific economic or policy problem.
- Understand how to use empirical evidence to evaluate the validity of an economic argument, use statistical methodology, interpret statistical results, and conduct appropriate statistical analysis of data.
- Be able to solve problems that have clear solutions and address problems that do not have clear answers, including explaining conditions under which particular solutions may be correct.
- Develop critical and quantitative thinking skills specific to business and accounting.
- Be able to communicate effectively in written, oral, and graphical form about specific issues and to formulate well-organized written arguments that state assumptions and hypotheses supported by evidence.
Degree programs
In addition to the four degree options below that are administered by our department, we also partner with the Environmental Studies Department to offer an Environmental Studies/Economics Combined Major B.A.
Economics B.A. program
Our general economics major teaches students a substantial core of economic theory and mathematical and statistical methods. Students can combine their upper division electives to specialize in areas such as international economics, finance, public policy, applied microeconomics, law and economics, economic development, quantitative methods, macroeconomics, game theory, and behavioral economics.
Global Economics B.A. program
Global economics focuses on global issues with an interdisciplinary element, and is ideal for students contemplating careers in international relations, international business, or international organizations. This major helps students understand and participate in the global economy and deepens their knowledge of economics within a culturally and linguistically diverse world. Requirements include one quarter of global learning, regional area study, and second-language proficiency.
Business Management Economics B.A. program
This major provides students who are interested in careers in business or management with a strong foundation in the analytic approaches of economics and the technical aspects of management. Students in this major also learn to use computing tools to analyze economic, statistical, and financial data. Overall, the program provides a business and management education embedded within a broader economics context.
Economics and Mathematics Combined B.A. program
The economics and mathematics combined major is designed to meet the needs of students who plan to pursue doctoral study in economics or business, or who wish to pursue a career as an actuary or other profession requiring a deep understanding of both disciplines. The major combines the main undergraduate content of both economics and mathematics within a programmatic structure that joins the two disciplines.
Other educational opportunities
Economics minor
Students in our minor gain a solid grounding in ideas, concepts, and real-world problems and possibilities of economics through a selection of at least seven courses. This is a general economics course of study that introduces students to microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, while building foundational mathematical and statistical skills. We do not offer minors in specialized topics like business management economics or global economics.
Accounting concentration
Our series of “accounting track” courses prepares students to take the Uniform Certified Public Accountants’ Exam, with course credits counting toward exam eligibility. Undergraduates can follow our accounting track either by taking the courses informally from any of our majors, or by formally pursuing a Business Management Economics B.A. with an Accounting Concentration, which officially designates a student’s accounting focus on their transcripts. More details about preparation for CPA licensure are on our Undergraduate Advising and Courses and Class Schedules pages.
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) credential
Undergraduates in any of our majors can plan their studies to align with some of the requirements of earning their Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential, the most respected and recognized investment management designation in the world. UC Santa Cruz is a University Affiliation Program partner of the CFA Institute, the organization that awards CFA credentials.
Details are available on our Undergraduate Advising page.
What can you do with a degree in Economics?
A major in economics prepares students for careers like accounting, banking, actuarial science, budget analysis, cost estimation, data science, financial analysis, financial management, financial advising, purchasing, market analysis, mathematics, operations research, investment advising, insurance and loan management, management consulting, marketing, non-profit management, policy advising, public administration, real estate, international relations, statistical analysis, and teaching. Our graduates have taken roles both in the United States and abroad, working as international bankers, global managers, accountants for multinational companies, and as diplomats.
Many of our department’s graduates also choose to attend graduate and professional schools, like enrolling in our Master of Science in Applied Economics and Finance program or pursuing other graduate programs in business and management.
Meet our students and alumni
Helen Yoo: Business management economics major and international student
Undergraduate student Helen Yoo, who majored in business management economics, said she was impressed by the quality of instruction and student support in the Economics Department at UC Santa Cruz. In particular, she appreciated how much effort her teaching assistant in Intro to Econometrics put in to make sure that she and other students understood the concepts.
Daniel Vargas: providing free tax-preparation assistance to low-income filers
While earning his Economics B.A., Daniel Vargas (at right in the image above) was a paid intern who coordinated volunteers for an IRS program that provides tax preparation assistance. Vargas said many volunteers for the program were UCSC students, who often earned academic credit for their work through the Economics Department’s field study internship program.
More student stories
More alumni stories
Admissions requirements
First-year students
The economics curriculum begins at the introductory level, so no special preparation is needed, other than what is required for UC admission. However, applicants are encouraged to develop a strong background in mathematics.
View all degree and declaration requirements on the Undergraduate Advising page.
Transfer students
This is a screening major. Students must take the major qualifying courses or equivalents with a combined grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 prior to transferring to UCSC.
Transferring courses
While the Admissions Office may accept courses toward the UC Santa Cruz degree, it is up to the department to determine whether a course counts towards the major requirements. Use assist.org to see if completed courses satisfy UCSC economics requirements.
Students who have completed courses at another four-year institution may be able to apply those courses toward the economics degrees. Submit a course syllabus and a course substitution petition to the department requesting to review the coursework. Lower-division coursework cannot be applied to upper-division requirements.
Declaration requirements
Transfer students listing any economics major on their admissions application will have “proposed” (undeclared) as their status. Transfer students must declare by the major declaration deadline in their second quarter of enrollment.
Transfer resources
- Career Success Center: Offers a variety of services including helping to choose a major, career advising, job and internship opportunities, employer fairs, career workshops, Career Advice Network, and alumni services.
- Disability Resource Center (DRC): Supports retention and graduation of students with disabilities, collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community resources to provide effective academic services, and promotes a non-discriminatory campus environment, encouraging student development and independence.
- Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP): For students who are the first-generation in their family to attend college or can demonstrate a history of being low-income or educationally disadvantaged. Consideration for services of EOP is also given to students who have participated in pre-university service programs (e.g. Early Academic Outreach, Upward Bound, MESA, Talent Search, Puente, etc.).
- Learning Support Services (LSS) Promotes educational equity by fostering interactive, peer-based academic communities through small group tutoring, modified supplemental instruction, drop-in services, and writing tutoring.
- Services for Transfer and Re-Entry Students (STARS): Provides extra academic and personal support for part-time and full transfer, re-entry, and readmitted students, including pre-admission questions, transition concerns, academic support network, and post-graduation planning.
- Transfer Student Admissions