Economics

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Economics is a versatile field of study that can lead to careers as an economist, policy analyst, market research analyst,and financial analyst to name a few. The skills and knowledge acquired from studying economics are widely applicable and valued in business, government, and non-profits among others.

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Economics is the study of how people make choices when faced with scarcity. Students will learn: 1) The economic problem of scarcity and it’s consequences for decision making by individuals, firms, and society, 2) To evaluate resource allocation and changes within markets and the economy using economic modeling, mathematical and graphical analysis, and 3) Government policy solutions to market failure and the effectiveness of such solutions. The knowledge and skills acquired from an economics degree is useful for positions in management, business, governments, and non-profits, among others. The versatility of an economics degree can lead to a variety of career paths: economist, market research analyst, financial analyst, and public policy analyst to name a few. 

Program Length

Four semesters.

Transfer Options

Fulfills many of the lower division requirements for transfer as economics major. UCI, UCLA, UCSD 

Program Specific Support

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Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

  • This is only a sample academic plan.  Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 3A*Calculus 12A & Major5
ECON 1 or 1HPrinciples of Economics - Micro4 & Major3
ArtsArts GE Course3A3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 2College Writing 2 - Critical Thinking 1B4
MATH 3BCalculus 22A & Major5
ECON 2 or 2HPrinciples of Economics - Macro4 & Major3
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1C3
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
ECON 6Environmental and Resource Economics (Fall Only)43
POL 1 or POL 4American Government or Introduction to Political Science 43
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE Course3A or 3B3
PHIL 1, PHIL 5, HIST 10 or HIST 11Various Philosophy or History Courses (Recommended)3B3
Biological ScienceBiological Science GE Course5B3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
ECON 10 or 10HStatistics for Business and Economics (Spring Only)2A3
ECON 13Global Economics (Spring Only)43
Physical SciencePhysical Science GE Course5A3
Physical Science LabPhysical Science Lab5C1
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)2-3
  1. This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
  • Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Language Other than English requirement necessary to meet Full IGETC Certification.
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 1A24
MATH 11 or MATH 3A*Brief Course in Calculus or Analytic Geometry and CalculusB4 & Major4-5
ECON 1 or 1HPrinciples of Economics - MicroD & Major3
Learning & Self DevLifelong Learning and Self Development GE CourseE3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
COMM 1Communication FundamentalsA13
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking GE CourseA33-4
ECON 2 or 2HPrinciples of Economics - MacroD & Major3
ECON 10Statistics for Business and Economics (Spring Only)B4 & Major3
ArtsArts GE Course C13
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
ECON MajorEconomics AA-T Major Course from List AMajor3-5
HIST 20 or HIST 21American HistoryC23
Physical SciencePhysical Science GE CourseB13
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
Semester X
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
ECON MajorEconomics Major Course from List BMajor3-5
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE CourseC1 or C23
Life ScienceLife Science GE CourseB23
Science LabLife Science LabB31
PS 1American GovernmentD3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
  1. Students should take the math course or courses that is required or highly recommended by the specific CSU they plan to transfer to.             
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 11 or 3A*Business Calculus or Analytic Geometry and Calculus 12 & Major4-5
ECON 1 or 1HPrinciples of Economics - Micro4 & Major3
Lifelong Health**Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course9 A/B/C1
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
Critical ThinkingVarious Critical Thinking GE Course1C3-4
ECON 10 or 10HStatistics for Business and Economics (Spring Only)2 & Major3
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1B3
ECON 2 or 2HPrinciples of Economics - MacroMajor3
Fine ArtsFine Arts and Languages GE Course73
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
ECON 6Environmental and Resource Economics (Fall Only)Major3
American InstitutionsAmerican Institutions GE Course83
PHIL 1, PHIL 5, HIST 10 or HIST 11Various Philosophy or History Courses (Recommended)63
Natural SciencesNatural Sciences GE Course33
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
ECON 13Global Economics (Spring Only)Major3
ECON MajorEconomics AA Major Course from List BMajor3-5
Lifelong Health**Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course9 A/B/C3
Cultural DiversityCultural Diversity GE Course53
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
  1. This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 11 or Math 3A in the first semester.
  2. Take one course from two different categories among GE areas 9A, 9B, and 9C. Please refer to the AA GE pattern for details.              

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

  • AA = Associate of Arts
  • AS = Associate of Science
  • AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
  • AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
  • COA = Certificate of Achievement
  • COP = Certificate of Proficiency

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Not sure if Economics is the right fit?

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Begin with the Exploratory Interest Area and explore Economics while still working toward your academic goals.

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