Program Contact: Donn Johnson   203-582-8205

The BS in Economics program teaches students the core theories of economics. Students learn to analyze social and business problems and to examine the proper role of the market and the government in solving these problems. They are able to apply their analytical skills to analyze and interpret economic behavior and forecast political and societal trends. Students have the opportunity to take specialized courses such as Environmental Economics (EC 304), Game Theory (EC 355), Law and Economics (EC 320), Money and Banking (EC 341) and Public Finance (EC 330).  

Besides studying essential economic theories, students also learn to analyze individual markets and assess the impact public policy has on the economy. The Economics major has four tracks allowing students the flexibility to choose their own path through the major. This versatile major makes students attractive to employers and prepares students for a successful career in banking, government, law, the insurance industry and elsewhere. 

Recent economics majors have secured prominent jobs with the Federal Reserve Board, General Electric, Liberty Mutual, Oppenheimer Funds and other industrial and insurance firms.

Students majoring in economics must meet the following requirements for graduation:

University Curriculum 146
Modern Language Requirement3-6
Economics Core Requirements
EC 111Principles of Microeconomics3
EC 112Principles of Macroeconomics3
EC 211Intermediate Microeconomics3
EC 212Intermediate Macroeconomics3
EC 272Advanced Applied Statistics3
EC 450Senior Seminar3
Additional coursework to satisfy Economics track chosen 215-18
Free Electives35-38
Total Credits120
1

All students must complete the University Curriculum requirements.

2

Students may request permission from the Economics Department Chair to use one non-economics course to fulfill their major requirements.

Track Options (Complete One Track)

General Economics Track

This track provides students with a well-rounded curriculum to prepare them for any number of careers including, but not limited to banking, consulting, financial research, the government, the hedge fund industry and insurance firms.

EC 365Econometrics3
Four additional Economics courses at the 200 level or above12

Policy Track

This track allows students who are leaning toward a career in public policy to focus more on courses in that area, while still maintaining flexibility for other career options.

Four additional Economics courses at the 200 level or above12
Two additional Social Science courses at the 200 level or above6

Commerce Track

This track allows students who are leaning toward a career in commerce or industry to focus more on courses in business, while still maintaining flexibility for other career options.

Four additional Economics courses at the 200 level or above12
Two additional School of Business courses at the 200 level or above6

Quantitative Track

This track provides students with strong mathematical and analytic skills to further develop those skills in preparation for the more data-driven careers in government and business, as well as develop the skills to help them succeed at the graduate level in economics.

EC 365Econometrics3
Three additional Economics courses at the 200 level or above9
Two additional quantitative courses including:6
Any Data Science Course
EC 366
Advanced Econometrics
MA 140
Pre-Calculus
MA 141
Calculus of a Single Variable
MA 150
Integral Calculus With Applications
MA 151
Calculus I
MA 152
Calculus II
MA 153
Calculus II: Part A
MA 154
Calculus II: Part B
MA 229
Linear Algebra
MA 251
Calculus III
MA 265
Matrix Algebra and Differential Equations
Any 300-level Mathematics Course

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Knowledge of Economics: Students demonstrate and can apply the core theories of economics.
  2. Quantitative Reasoning: Students develop the ability to represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and verbally, and to interpret mathematical models such as graphs, tables and schematics to draw inferences. They also develop an ability to use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric and statistical methods to solve social and business problems.
  3. Critical Thinking: Students develop the ability to recognize problems and to acquire, assess and synthesize information to analyze social and business problems.

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Economics

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Economics program.  Below is a recommended plan of study for the first two years prior to matriculation at Quinnipiac University.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Principles of Microeconomics 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
English II 3
Principles of Macroeconomics 3
Elective 3-4
Elective 3-4
Elective 3
 Credits15-17
Second Year
Fall Semester
Statistics 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3-4
 Credits15-16
Spring Semester
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits60-63

Students planning to transfer into the BS in Economics major at Quinnipiac University are highly encouraged to contact the Economics Department Chair, Donn Johnson.

Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Each student's individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.

First Year
Milestones: Earn 30 credits, meet with your adviser at least once a semester and have a GPA of 2.00 or higher.
Fall Semester
EC 111Principles of Microeconomics3
MA 170Probability and Data Analysis3
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing3
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
EC 112Principles of Macroeconomics3
EC 272Advanced Applied Statistics3
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Second Year
Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities.
Fall Semester
EC 212Intermediate Macroeconomics3
Economics Elective at 200 level3
Language at the 101 level3
University Curriculum course3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
EC 211Intermediate Microeconomics3
Economics Elective at the 200 level3
Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement)3
University Curriculum course3
Open Elective3
Third Year
Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities.
Fall Semester
EC 365Econometrics3
Economics Elective at the 200 level3
University Curriculum course4
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
Economics Elective at the 200 level3
University Curriculum course3
University Curriculum course3
University Curriculum course3
Open Elective3
Fourth Year
Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation.
Fall Semester
EC 450Senior Seminar3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
CAS 420CAS Integrative Capstone3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective2
Total Credits120