Introduction
The UCLA Department of Economics offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics. The major provides students with a strong foundation in economic theory and its applications to the real world. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including finance, consulting, academia, and government.
Core Requirements
All Economics majors must complete the following core requirements:
- Mathematics: MATH 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 115A, 115B
- Statistics: STATS 10, 13
- Economics: ECON 1, 2, 100A, 100B, 101A, 101B, 111, 112, 113, 114
Electives
In addition to the core requirements, Economics majors must complete 12 units of elective coursework in Economics. These electives can be chosen from a wide range of topics, including:
- Economic Development
- Econometrics
- Finance
- Game Theory
- Health Economics
- International Economics
- Labor Economics
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Public Economics
Honors Program
The Economics Department offers an Honors Program for students who have a strong academic record and are interested in pursuing a more challenging course of study. Honors students are required to complete a senior thesis and participate in a weekly honors seminar.
Career Outlook
Graduates of the UCLA Economics major are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for economists is $105,690. The job outlook for economists is expected to be good over the next decade, with a projected growth of 6%.
How to Apply
Applications for the UCLA Economics major are due November 30th. Applicants must submit a completed application, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.
Additional Information
For more information about the UCLA Economics major, please visit the department website or contact the department office at (310) 825-3174.
The Economics major at UCLA requires students to complete a rigorous foundation in mathematics and statistics as well as economics.
Mathematics
The mathematics requirement is 14 units which includes:
* Calculus (MATH 31A-32B)
* Linear Algebra (MATH 115A)
* Probability Theory (MATH 115B)
These courses provide students with the mathematical tools they need to analyze economic models and data.
Statistics
The statistics requirement is 6 units which includes:
* Introduction to Statistics (STATS 10)
* Applied Regression Analysis (STATS 13)
These courses provide students with the statistical tools they need to gather and analyze data, which is essential for economic research.
Economics
The economics requirement is 36 units which includes:
* Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 1)
* Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 2)
* Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (ECON 100A)
* Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 100B)
* Econometrics (ECON 101A)
* Economic Growth and Development (ECON 101B)
* Mathematics for Economists (ECON 111)
* Financial Economics (ECON 112)
* Public Finance (ECON 113)
* Labor Economics (ECON 114)
These courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of economic theory and its applications to the real world.
In addition to the core requirements, Economics majors must complete 12 units of elective coursework in Economics. These electives can be chosen from a wide range of topics, allowing students to explore their interests and prepare for their future careers.
Some of the most popular elective courses include:
* Economic Development (ECON 120)
* Econometrics (ECON 130)
* Finance (ECON 140)
* Game Theory (ECON 150)
* Health Economics (ECON 160)
* International Economics (ECON 170)
* Labor Economics (ECON 180)
* Macroeconomics (ECON 190)
* Microeconomics (ECON 200)
* Public Economics (ECON 210)
Students can also choose to take elective courses in other disciplines, such as Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, and Political Science. This flexibility allows students to tailor their education to their individual interests and career goals.
Economic theory has a wide range of applications in the real world. Economists use economic models to analyze a variety of issues, including:
- The impact of government policies
- The causes of economic growth
- The distribution of income
- The behavior of financial markets
- The effects of globalization
Economic theory can also be used to solve a wide range of practical problems, such as:
* How to reduce poverty
* How to improve economic efficiency
* How to regulate the financial sector
* How to design a tax system
* How to promote economic development
Graduates of the UCLA Economics major are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for economists is $105,690. The job outlook for economists is expected to be good over the next decade, with a projected growth of 6%.
Some of the most common career paths for economics graduates include:
* Economist
* Financial Analyst
* Consultant
* Actuary
* Market Researcher
* Policy Analyst
Economics graduates also work in a variety of other fields, such as:
* academia
* government
* non-profit organizations
* the private sector
The UCLA Economics major provides students with a strong foundation in economic theory and its applications to the real world. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including finance, consulting, academia, and government.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the admission requirements for the UCLA Economics major?
Applicants must submit a completed application, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. The average GPA for admitted students is 3.8.
- What is the curriculum for the UCLA Economics major?
The curriculum includes core requirements in mathematics, statistics, and economics as well as elective courses in a wide range of topics.
- What are the career prospects for UCLA Economics graduates?
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including finance, consulting, academia, and government. The median annual salary for economists is $105,690.
- How do I apply to the UCLA Economics major?
Applications are due November 30th. Applicants must submit a completed application, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.
Table 1: Core Requirements for the UCLA Economics Major
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 14 |
| Statistics | 6 |
| Economics | 36 |
| Total | 56 |
Table 2: Popular Elective Courses for the UCLA Economics Major
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Economic Development (ECON 120) | 3 |
| Econometrics (ECON 130) | 3 |
| Finance (ECON 140) | 3 |
| Game Theory (ECON 150) | 3 |
| Health Economics (ECON 160) | 3 |
| International Economics (ECON 170) | 3 |
| Labor Economics (ECON 180) | 3 |
| Macroeconomics (ECON 190) | 3 |
| Microeconomics (ECON 200) | 3 |
| Public Economics (ECON 210) | 3 |
Table 3: Career Paths for UCLA Economics Graduates
| Career | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Economist | $105,690 |
| Financial Analyst | $81,300 |
| Consultant | $90,460 |
| Actuary | $113,770 |
| Market Researcher | $69,280 |
| Policy Analyst | $82,290 |
Table 4: Admission Requirements for the UCLA Economics Major
| Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Completed application | November 30th |
| Personal statement | November 30th |
| Two letters of recommendation | November 30th |
| Official transcripts | November 30th |