Majors and Minors
Explore and Discover. Economics studies how individuals, households, businesses, governments, and societies make decisions given scarce resources. Through theoretical modeling and rigorous empirical analysis, students develop analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills to understand the workings of an economy, to evaluate various economic outcomes using criteria such as efficiency, equity, and stability and to analyze the effects of various policies (like changes in the interest rate, minimum wage, school reform, tariffs, crime, pollution, etc.).
Degrees Offered
The Department of Economics offers a major and a minor in Economics. The department also offers a major in Economics and History (offered jointly with the Department of History) and a minor in Political Economy (offered jointly with the Department of Political Science).
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements
| Class Type | Economics Major | Economics Minor | Economics & History Major |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro | |||
| ECON 1010: Macroeconomics | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| ECON 1020: Microeconomics | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Core | |||
| ECON 1500 or 1510: Statistics | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| ECON 3012: Intermediate Micro | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| ECON 3022: Intermediate Macro | 3 hours | elective | 3 hours |
| ECON 3032 or 3035: Econometrics | 3 hours | elective | elective |
| Electives | |||
| Econ at any level | 6 hours | 6 hours | N/A |
| Upper-level Econ | 9 hours above ECON 3035 | 3 hours above ECON 3015 | 3 hours above ECON 3020 + 18 hours in History |
| Total Hours | 33 | 21 | 45 |
Additional Requirements
- One semester of calculus is prerequisite to ECON 1500 and 1510.
- Two semesters of calculus are prerequisite to ECON 3012, 3022, 3032, 3035, and all courses above 3035.
In lieu of ECON 1500 or 1510, students may take MATH 2820L, plus MATH 2810 or MATH 2820.
- Only 3 hours of independent study can count toward the major.
- ECON 1111 counts as an elective below 3000.
- Economics majors do not receive credit for ECON 3010 or 3020.
Declaring an Economics Major or Minor
To declare a major or minor in Economics, take the following steps:
- Complete the online Undergraduate Major/Minor Declaration/Change form.
- Email Alicia Gavrilis to be assigned a major or minor adviser.
- Meet with your adviser to have your form signed. You can do this in person or via email or Zoom.
- Email the signed form to your home school’s academic services office. Please contact your home school’s office if you need assistance. The various school offices are:
- College of Arts and Science: arts-sci-forms@vanderbilt.edu
- School of Engineering: engineering-oas@vanderbilt.edu
- Peabody College: peabodyacademicservices@vanderbilt.edu
- Blair School of Music: rachel.hobbs@vanderbilt.edu