What Are The University Of Massachusetts Economics Minor Requirements For Students?

The University of Massachusetts offers a comprehensive economics minor program designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic principles, theories, and applications. The economics minor requirements are designed to complement a wide range of majors, including business, social sciences, and humanities. To pursue an economics minor at the University of Massachusetts, students must complete a series of required and elective courses that provide a foundational knowledge of economics.

Economics Minor Requirements

The economics minor at the University of Massachusetts requires students to complete a minimum of 18 credits in economics courses, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in these courses. The requirements are as follows:

Required Courses

Students must complete the following required courses:

• Econ 103: Introduction to Microeconomics (3 credits): This course introduces students to the principles of microeconomics, including supply and demand, market structures, and consumer behavior.
• Econ 104: Introduction to Macroeconomics (3 credits): This course covers the principles of macroeconomics, including national income accounting, inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.
• Econ 405: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (3 credits): This course provides a more advanced analysis of microeconomic theory, including consumer behavior, production, and market structures.
• Econ 406: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (3 credits): This course provides a more advanced analysis of macroeconomic theory, including national income determination, inflation, and economic growth.

Elective Courses

Students must also complete at least 6 credits of elective courses in economics, chosen from a list of approved courses. These courses may include:

• Econ 320: Economic Development (3 credits): This course examines the economic development of countries, including the role of institutions, education, and technology.
• Econ 330: International Trade (3 credits): This course covers the theory and practice of international trade, including the gains from trade, trade policies, and trade agreements.
• Econ 340: Money and Banking (3 credits): This course examines the financial system, including the role of money, banks, and central banks in the economy.

Benefits of an Economics Minor

An economics minor can provide students with a valuable set of skills and knowledge that can be applied to a wide range of careers. Some of the benefits of an economics minor include:

• Improved analytical skills: Economics courses help students develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in many areas of business and public policy.
• Enhanced understanding of global issues: Economics courses provide students with a deeper understanding of global economic issues, including trade, development, and economic growth.
• Increased career opportunities: An economics minor can provide students with a competitive edge in the job market, particularly in fields such as business, finance, and government.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with an economics minor can pursue a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Business analyst: Economics minors can work as business analysts, helping companies to make informed decisions about investments, pricing, and strategy.
• Financial analyst: Economics minors can work as financial analysts, helping companies to manage risk, invest in assets, and optimize their financial performance.
• Policy analyst: Economics minors can work as policy analysts, helping government agencies and non-profit organizations to develop and evaluate policies related to economic development, trade, and social welfare.