Undergraduate Advising FAQs
Click each question to see the answer.
Q: Where is the Economics Advising office?
A: The Economics Advising office is located in the Economics Department office, 118 Professional Building, in Room 119.
Q: What are the Economics Advising hours?
A: : The Economics Advising office is open M-F from 9:00am-11:00 am and M, W, F from 1:00-3:00pm during Fall Semester 2009 (August 24th – December 18th). These hours are subject to change from semester to semester.
Q: Do I need to make an appointment to see an Economics advisor?
A: Walk-ins are welcome during advising hours. You can also request an appointment by sending an e-mail to muaseconadvising@missouri.edu.
Q: How do I declare Economics as my major?
A: You must meet the department admission requirements and must file a graduation plan with an Economics advisor.
Q: What are the admission requirements for Economics majors?
A: Economics majors must have a minimum MU cumulative GPA of 2.5 and must have completed English 1000 and Mathematics 1100 with a grade of C- or above. They must also have completed a minimum of 30 hours.
Q: What is the difference between the Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics?
A: The Bachelor of Science degree in Economics is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Economics , Finance, etc. It has a strong emphasis in quantitative skills such as Mathematics and Statistics. The Bachelor of Arts is a general liberal arts degree that is designed for individuals who are interested in a degree in Master of Business Administration, pursuing a career in Law, Public Policies or general employment.
Q: I am interested in BSBA Economics. Should I see an advisor in Economics or an advisor in the Business school?
A: You must be advised by an advisor in the College of Business. You will need to meet their requirement(s) to be admitted the college. An advisor in Economics will be able to give you general admission requirements for the College of Business. In addition, we can advise you on required Economics courses for your Business degree.
Q: I am pursuing a degree in another department. Would an Economics degree be a good supplement?
A: Yes. Economics is a versatile degree with broad applications. You will gain reasoning, and decision making abilities and obtain analytical skills using data, logic and critical thinking. These skills are very important in this global environment and will help you advance your career. Many students in Statistics, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism, Industrial Engineering, Business related degrees, etc. pursue an additional degree or minor in Economics.
Q: Is Economics a good Pre-Law degree?
A: Yes. The skills and abilities that you will obtain from studying Economics coincide with the characteristics of an effective lawyer. Data shows that students who studied Economics as Pre-Law obtained higher LSAT scores and wages.
Q: Is Economics a good degree if I am uncertain about my plans after school?
A: Economics is a versatile degree if you are uncertain about your post-graduation plans. Graduates in Economics enter a diverse field of jobs in government, banking, insurance or other financial sectors, private sector businesses or even open their own businesses. An Economics degree will provide you a good foundation on how the economy and the world work and an understanding of the effects of policy issues.
Q: If I want to try an Economics class what should be the first class I take?
A: The first class that students usually take is Econ 1014: Principles of Microeconomics.
Q: How much math is required to graduate with an Economics degree?
A: That depends on which degree you are pursuing. A student working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree will generally take less mathematics. A student working for a Bachelor of Science degree will take a more quantitative course load with more rigorous amounts of math and statistics.
Q: Is there a foreign language requirement in the Economics Department?
A: Yes, there is a foreign language requirement for every department within the College of Arts and Science, including the Department of Economics. You must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in a foreign language unless you have taken four years of a foreign language while you were in high school. If you are pursuing a BS degree, you can fulfill this language requirement by getting Department of Economics permission to substitute 12 hours of coursework in an approved subject. These classes must be numbered 2000 or above.
Q: What are the requirements to minor in Economics?
A: To obtain a minor in Economics a student must complete a minimum of 18 hours in economics with the last 12 credit hours in residence (here at UMC campus). The required courses are Econ 1014, 1015, 3229 and 4351. Two electives are also required with at least one at the 4000 level.
Q: Will I need to take the Major Field Test?
A: All economics majors in the College of Arts and Science are required to take the Major Field Test in Economics in the Spring semester before the graduation. It is a standardized test over concepts in several fields of economic study.
Q: What is the difference between general honors and departmental honors?
A: In order to graduate with a General Honors, you must be accepted by the Honors College, complete a minimum of 20 hours of honors classes designated or approved by the Honors College and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. In order to graduate with the Departmental Honors in Economics, you must have a minimum of 3.3 overall GPA, a minimum GPA of 3.5 in economics courses and must complete Econ 4995: Honors Pro-seminar course.
Q: What is the first math course that I should take at MU?
A: The first math course you take depends on your past math experience. The University uses the scores from either ACT, SAT exam or the Missouri Math Placement Test (MMPT) in order to place students to a proper level of Mathematics class. The University administers the MMPT at the beginning of each semester for students. Please consult the Office of Admissions for the testing dates of the MMPT.
Q: I haven’t had any math for a few years. Can I take Math 1100: College Algebra although the University placed me at a higher level of Mathematics course?
A: Yes, you can. But, keep in mind that you will get credits only once for a class. Students often take Math 1100 to refresh their memory or build their confidence if they feel they don’t have an adequate experience in Mathematics. Please consult an advisor if you are unsure which class is right for you.
Q: How many hours should I take each semester?
A: You must take a minimum of 12 hours each semester in order to keep your status as a full time student. A typical class load is 15 -16 hours each semester for a full time student in Economics.
Q: How do I register for class?
A: You will log on to the myZou website. Under the menu window on the right click self service. Then under self service click enrollment. From here, you can add, drop or browse your necessary courses.
Q: How do I obtain a permission number for an Economics class?
A: Contact the Department of Economics at 882-0063, send an email to umcecon@missouri.edu or stop by at 118 Professional Building. Permission numbers are needed to enroll in Writing Intensive (WI) and capstone classes.
Q: How many WI classes are required for a degree in Economics?
A: Two WI classes are required for all undergraduate degrees at the University. Students must take one WI class in their major and may take the other WI course in any subject at 1000 level or above. Many students in Economics do fulfill their WI requirements by taking two Economics WI classes.
Q: Which Economics classes are WI?
A: The designated WI Economics classes change from semester to semester. Typically, the Department of Economics offers two WI Economics courses each semester. Econ 4311: Labor Economics, Econ 4315: Public Economics and Econ 4360: Economic Development are often offered as WI classes.
