PROGRAM FAQS• • • [DIVISION OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS]

1. What are the career prospects for economics majors?

Career prospects remain excellent, even in the face of the current economic downturn. The average starting salary for the 2005-2006 graduates was $50,889. The placement rate for the May 2006 graduates was 100%.

Click here to see a list of companies where our graduates were recently placed.

2. I am an economics major, and want to take economics and business courses off campus and transfer them for credit at CSM. Can I do this? 

You may only do this if it is directed at speeding up your time to graduation at CSM. You cannot do it to avoid courses offered at CSM. Economics majors, minors, and ASI's can transfer in up to 6 credit hours of courses in economics and business, with prior approval of the division director.

3. I want to study abroad for a semester. Can I take economics and business courses and transfer them for credit at CSM?

Yes. You are permitted to take up to 19 credit hours of approved courses during your semester abroad, and transfer these for credit at CSM. You will need to get a prior approval form from CSM's Office of International Programs.

4. I am concentrating my economics major studies in business, and want my degree to say business, not economics. Is this possible?

No. The degree program is economics, and this is what your diploma states, regardless of your concentration of courses. If you complete the concentrations in Technology, or Global Business, these specializations will be reflected on your transcript.

5. How does the economics field session work?

The economics field session should be taken in the summer prior to your last semester at CSM, once you have completed several 400 level core courses in economics. The economics field session is offered in the summer session, which means double majors can take the field sessions for both majors the same summer. See details: Syllabus

6. My major in Engineering (Chemistry, Geology, etc.) requires that I must complete a 12 hour technical Area of Special Interest. Can I use economics and business courses to satisfy this requirement?

Yes, although your major advisor must approve your ASI, and may restrict which economics and business courses you can include. Usually EBGN 201 will not count towards a required ASI.

7. What is a double major?

A double major is a student who completes the degree requirements of two majors at CSM. Because of overlapping requirements between majors, this is not as onerous as it may seem. About 40% of economics majors are double majors. Most students completing any major at CSM can add a major in economics by taking between 18 and 36 hours of additional course work, requiring only 1 or 2 additional semesters of study in addition to the economics summer field session.

8. I am a double major. Can courses double count for my economics major requirements and my H&SS cluster requirement for my non-economics major?

Yes. Majors in programs other than economics may include up to 6 hours of approved courses from economics as satisfying their H&SS cluster requirements, regardless of whether or not they are majoring in economics. For students double majoring in economics, including 6 hours of economics courses in the H&SS cluster will add 6 hours to the free elective requirement for the economics degree. This 6 hours can normally be met by courses taken in the non-economics major.

9. I am a double major. Can I take both field sessions the same summer?

Yes. The economics field session is held in the summer session, while all other field sessions are held in the first field session.

10. Even though Principles of Economics (EBGN 201) is part of the engineering core at CSM, I have heard that some students don't take it. How come?

Principles of Economics is aimed at non-economics majors. We encourage students who are interested in economics and think they may wish to major or minor in economics to take Microeconomics (EBGN311) and Macroeconomics (EBGN312) instead of EBGN 201. Any student who takes EBGN311 and EBGN312 is waived from the requirement that they take EBGN 201, although they may have to take a 3-hour free elective in its place. See the Registrar for more information.

11. I have taken Macroeconomics elsewhere. Do I still need to take EBGN 201, Principles of Economics?

A student is waived from taking EBGN 201 only if they have credit for Macroeconomics and of Microeconomics. A student who has taken Macroeconomics off campus must still either complete Microeconomics (EBGN311) or Principles of Economics (EBGN201) at CSM.

12. I have taken Microeconomics elsewhere. Do I still need to take EBGN 201, Principles of Economics?

A student is waived from taking EBGN 201 only if they have credit for Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. A student who has taken Microeconomics off campus must still either complete Macroeconomics (EBGN312) or Principles of Economics (EBGN 201) at CSM.

13. In addition to any possible TA award does the school or department offer additional awards or is the TA award the sole funding avaible?

Unfortunately no, even if a student receives a TA position of any level they do not get any other awards.