Information for Undergraduates
Academic Advisement Information
Major Study Requirements
The major is an excellent choice for those interested in public policy and market research and students pursuing careers in business, government and non-profit organizations. An economics major is also highly desirable for students planning to go on to study law, business, public administration, geography and international affairs at the graduate level.
A major in economics requires a common core consisting of ECON 105 (Introductory Macroeconomics), 106 (Introductory Microeconomics), 300 (Intermediate Microeconomics I), 303 (Intermediate Macroeconomics I) and 309 (Introductory Statistics and Econometrics) plus 18 credit hours of electives in economics with a maximum of 3 credit hours from 200-level courses and a minimum of 3 credit hours from the following courses: 403, 407, 408, 409, 410, 421, 423, 424, 427, 429, 442, 445, 466, and 478 for a total of 33 hours.
All economics majors are encouraged to complete one semester of calculus (MATH 162 or 180). Majors planning to attend graduate school in economics are required to have completed one semester of calculus (preferably the equivalent of UNM’s MATH 162 or MATH 180). If you are considering a Ph.D., a course in Linear Algebra or Matrices is also strongly recommended (e.g. UNM’s MATH 314 or MATH 321). Students should also consult with the economics Undergraduate Director for additional recommendations.
Students are encouraged to discuss the selection of electives with the economics Undergraduate Director. It is very important to remember that not all courses are offered every semester, and some courses are only offered intermittently, Most students select courses based on their career plans or interests. Note that the following listings are not intended to limit the student’s choice.
Business economics for students planning to pursue a career in the business sector: suggested electives include ECON 315, 320, 332, 333, 350, 408, 424 and 429.
Government economics for students planning to pursue a career with a local, state or federal government agency: suggested electives include ECON 315, 320, 332, 333, 335, 341, 342, 343, 350, 408, 409, 424, 429 and 445.
Pre-graduate economics preparation for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in economics, business, public administration, geography or other fields: suggested electives include ECON 315, 320, 342,343, 350, 400, 403, 407, 409, 424, 429, 442 and 466.
Pre-law preparation for students interested in attending law school: suggested electives include ECON 320, 330, 332, 333, 335, 342, 350 and 445.
Electives for students who wish to focus their study on specific fields and current economic issues: suggested electives include courses in international and Latin American economics (ECON 321, 421, 423, 424 and 429), natural resources and environmental economics (ECON 342, 343 and 442), labor and human resources (ECON 320, 335, 410 and 427), public finance (ECON 350 and 445) and economic modeling, forecasting and policy analysis (ECON 407, 408, 409 and 445).
Beginning in Fall 2013, ECON 300-Intermediate Microeconomics and ECON 303-Intermediate Macroeconomics will have an additional pre-requisite: ECON 307-Economics Tools
Please follow this link to learn more.
Minor for Economics Majors
An interdisciplinary approach is useful in the study of economics. Economics majors are encouraged to seek a minor in disciplines such as Business, Computer Science, History, Geography, International Studies, Math, Political Science, Sociology or Sustainability. Students should discuss the selection of a minor with the economics Undergraduate Director. Students with specialized interests may design a distributed minor and petition the Department Chairperson for approval.
Minor Study Requirements
Economics makes an excellent minor for students pursuing majors such as Management, Political Science, Journalism, History, Geography and Biology and for those building a pre-professional bachelor’s degree such as pre-law, pre-M.B.A. or pre-M.P.A. For example, a student with a political science major may consider, in addition to the core economics courses, electives in international economics, public finance or human resource economics. A student with a business major may consider economics electives in public finance and international economics. Students planning for a law degree might consider an economics minor with emphasis on environmental and natural resource economics.
A minor in economics requires a total of 18 credit hours consisting of 9 hours in required courses (ECON 105, 106 and either 300 or 303) plus 9 hours from elective courses with a maximum of 3 hours at the 200-level.
Click here for the UNM Economics Requirements Checklist
Academic Advisement
For consultation on your degree requirements, minors/2nd majors, academic holds, class scheduling/semester planning, advisement paperwork, or referrals to campus resources, please make an appointment with your Arts & Sciences Economics Advisor, Nate Faust-Shucker.
To schedule an appointment, please search Nate Faust-Shucker at http://loboachieve.unm.edu to view his calendar following these instructions: Loboachieve Scheduling Instructions You may also call 277-4621 for assistance.
For general advisement questions (must be sent from UNM email and include UNM ID#): econadvise@unm.edu
You can find Nate's office in the Economics Department, building #57, room 1030.
Transfer Courses
18 hours of your major (see catalog) must be taken at the University of New Mexico. If you have taken classes at other colleges or universities please see the Academic Advisor as soon as possible to assess whether the courses will transfer and how it will affect your academic timeline.
Program Advisement
For consultation on course choices, internships, graduate school planning and careers, please make an appointment with the Undergraduate Director, Prof. Richard Santos by emailing him at santos@unm.edu.
Getting the Most out of Your Economics Major
Career Services
UNM Career Services must support the mission, academic programs, and advancement of the University of New Mexico. Within this context, the primary purpose of the Career Services Center is to assist students and alumni in developing, evaluating, and/or implementing career, education, and employment decisions.
