Program Overview
UVM Economics offers bachelor of arts (B.A.) and bachelor of science (B.S.) tracks. If using an analytical approach to explain social phenomena is attractive to you, then the B.A. may be your best choice. If you gravitate to rigorous courses in mathematics and science, the B.S. may be a better fit.
Who should consider the B.A.?
Students who:
- Want to take a second major or more than one minor; this is easier to do with the BA.
- Want to stop after one semester of calculus.
- Do not want to take ECON 3500 Econometrics.
- Are coming to the program “late” and need to fit all the classes into the amount of time remaining.
Who should consider the B.S.?
Students who:
- Want more credits in economics rather than a second major or more than one minor.
- Want to take additional calculus and linear algebra.
- Definitely want to take ECON 3500 Econometrics.
- Are beginning the program “early” and can comfortably complete all the requirements.
Regardless of whether you choose the B.A. or B.S. curriculum you choose, the basic structure of the program is quite similar:
"I found my undergraduate economics studies experience at UVM to be exceptional in preparing me for the workforce and also in the quest for graduate studies. I gained a diverse skill set— including analytical, statistical, and computer knowledge, as well as independent researching and deductive reasoning."
Minor in Economics
The economics minor provides an excellent foundation in the fascinating and powerful concepts in our field. Economists aim to explain, predict, and even influence the choices of individuals in the marketplace and in their personal lives, of firms, and of governments. As with the economics major, students start with Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 1400) and Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 1450). From there students can choose three elective courses from our offerings, which change every semester and include topics such as Economics of Globalization (ECON 1130), Money & Banking (ECON 2110), Public Policy (ECON 2210), International Trade (ECON 2350), and Economics of Environmental Policy (ECON 2800). Students pursuing the minor will also take one of our two intermediate theory courses, Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 2400) or Microeconomic Theory (ECON 2450). (Please note that MATH 1212 or higher is a prerequisite for the intermediate theory courses.)
The language and ideas of economics are prevalent in our society, meaning that an economics minor is useful for any student, but the minor is particularly compatible with majors in political science, history, statistics, mathematics, computer science, and business administration.
