Degree in Economics
The economics major provides flexibility and opportunity and can take you in many directions, both inside and outside of the field of economics. In fact, most economics majors do not work as economists, but in business careers of all varieties. The analytical and quantitative skills that one acquires as an economics major are much in demand in the job market and are also highly attractive to law schools and M.B.A. programs. Whatever your career plans, economics training can give you the edge you need to further your long-term goals.
Trained economists are employed by private businesses, banks, law firms, consulting firms, international corporations and agencies, public utilities, federal and local governments, and colleges and universities. Economists who work in the private sector spend much of their time using the tools of economics to analyze issues that are important to their employers. For instance, these economists might be called upon to forecast the demand for the company's product, to perform cost-benefit or optimal pricing analyses for potential projects, or to analyze the effects of government regulations on the company.
Economists are also employed in many government agencies. These agencies use economists to forecast the effects of various policy proposals on the economy or to analyze the effects of policies that have already been enacted. These economists study issues such as the effects of government regulations on industries, the fairness and impacts of taxes, the effects of various policy tools in fighting inflation and unemployment, the causes of poverty and the plight of the homeless, pollution, crime, and other social policy issues.
Economists employed by colleges and universities are teachers and researchers. In addition to teaching, these economists spend a great deal of time doing research, usually for publication in professional journals or for private and government grant projects.
Some of these positions require a B.A. in economics, while others require an advanced degree. Salaries at all levels are very competitive and can be researched in the latest Occupational Outlook Handbook in the library or in the Career Counseling Center.
The B.A. program in economics provides training in basic economic theory, the use of statistical techniques to analyze economic phenomena, and more specific fields within economics, such as labor economics, international trade, developing and transitional economies, and money and banking. Economics majors from CU-Denver have recently gone on to prestigious positions at companies such as Qwest, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Citicorp and Lockheed Martin, and to graduate schools at universities such as Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, University of Rochester, and Columbia.
The Economics Department at CU-Denver is comprised of energetic, internationally- recognized scholars who are publishing their cutting-edge research in prominent academic journals. In addition to their scientific publications, UCD economics professors have a direct impact on policy through avenues such as consulting for members of the U.S. Congress and various branches of the Colorado State government, conducting federally-funded policy-oriented research, and participating in local and national conferences and seminars. This research activity of the department allows the students to gain exposure to knowledge and tools at the frontiers of economic analysis. In addition, students receive the most up-to-date information, and the latest analysis of such topics as taxation, the effectiveness of poverty programs, international trade and finance, economic foreign policy, the consequences of government intervention in the economy, the economic analysis of race and sex discrimination, and many other contemporary topics. Research publications of UCD professors can be found on our website here
Faculty are accessible and friendly, and the department provides plenty of opportunity to receive “hands-on” experience and training in the field of economics. They include teaching and research assistantships in the department, and internships under the guidance of the department.
The website for the economics department can be found here
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Requirements for Economics Majors
The student must satisfy all CLAS requirements for the degree. Students should consult the university catalog for details of these requirements.
Students must take at least 40 semester hours of economics. A GPA of 2.5 or above is required for graduation. No pass-fail grades count towards the major. Students should consult with the undergraduate advisor on a regular basis regarding scheduling of classes and their progress toward fulfilling the major requirements.
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Required Courses
Two introductory courses and six core courses are required. Students must receive a grade of C- or better in these courses. Students are urged to complete the core courses in economics as soon as possible, since the knowledge gained in these courses will improve performance in the electives.
Introductory Courses:
- ECON 2012 Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON 2022 Principles of Microeconomics
Core Courses:
- ECON 3801 Introduction to Mathematical Economics
- ECON 3811 Statistics with Computer Applications
- ECON 4071 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- ECON 4081 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- ECON 4091 History of Economic Thought
- ECON 4811 Introduction to Econometrics
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Outside Courses
Economics majors are required to take at least one class in Political Science. Suggested courses include: PSC 1101, The American Political System, or PSC 3022, Introduction to Comparative American Politics.
If a student is planning on attending graduate school in economics or business, he or she should consult with UCD economics faculty regarding additional mathematics courses.
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Senior Exercise
At the end of their senior year, students must submit copies of their three best term papers for the purpose of assessing the success of the economics program. These papers can be given to the department's program assistant.
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Honors in Economics
Students wishing to earn departmental honors in Economics should consult with their advisor no later than the beginning of their senior year.
Cum Laude will be granted to students who complete an Economics major with a 3.50 GPA in all upper division (3000+) courses in economics taken at CU-Denver with a minimum of 8 such courses, and either: two additional electives in economics beyond those required for the major, taken at the 4000 or higher level, or an acceptable honors thesis. The thesis must be approved by a three-member committee of the department faculty and will include a presentation of the results to that committee. Students should register for the thesis, using ECON 4850 as the course number, as a three-credit independent study, which will be in addition to the regular requirements for the major. Students must use a “Special Processing Form” to register.
Magna Cum Laude will be awarded to students who complete an Economics major with a 3.70 GPA in all upper division (3000+) courses in economics taken at CU-Denver with a minimum of 8 courses, and complete an acceptable honors thesis. The thesis must be approved by a three-member committee of the department faculty and will include a presentation of the results to that committee. Students should register for the thesis, using ECON 4850 as the course number, as a three-credit independent study, which will be in addition to the regular requirements for the major. Students must use a “Special Processing Form” to register.
Summa Cum Laude will be awarded to students who complete an Economics major with a 3.88 GPA in all upper division (3000+) courses in economics taken at CU-Denver with a minimum of 8 courses, and completion of an outstanding honors thesis. The thesis must be approved by a three-member committee of the department faculty and will include a presentation of the results to that committee. Students should register for the thesis, using ECON 4850 as the course number, as a three-credit independent study, which will be in addition to the regular requirements for the major. Students must use a “Special Processing Form” to register.
In order to wear the “Honors” cord at the spring graduation ceremony, a draft of the thesis must be submitted to the chair of the committee by the Monday following spring break, all other requirements including oral presentation and proof of meeting the GPA requirements must be completed by the week before graduation.
In order to be recognized in the spring graduation program, as “Honors Pending,” a draft of the thesis must be submitted to the chair of the committee by the Monday following spring break, the oral presentation and other requirements must be completed one week before graduation.
In order to be recognized in the spring graduation program with the specific honors degree being conferred, e.g. “summa,” “magna,” etc. students must turn in the completed final copy of the honors thesis by the Monday after spring break in addition to meeting the other requirements by the week before graduation.
Unless the above conditions are met according to the deadlines, recognition will come with the diploma after graduation.
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Economics Faculty
- Laura Argys, Ph.D.
University of Colorado
- Steven R. Beckman, Ph.D.
University of California - Davis
- Brian Duncan, Ph.D.
University of California - Santa Barbara
- Patrick Emerson. Ph.D.
Cornell University
- Mei-chu Hsiao, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
- Steven G. Medema, Ph.D.
Michigan State University
- Naci Mocan, Ph.D.
City University of New York
- Daniel Rees, Ph.D.
Cornell University
- W. James Smith, Ph.D.
University of Colorado
- Buhong Zheng, Ph.D.
University of West Virginia
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For More Information
Department of Economics
University of Colorado at Denver
Campus Box 181
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, Colorado 80217-3364
Phone: (303)556-4413
Web-site: www.econ.cudenver.edu
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