Frequently Asked Questions

Most students complete the standard Economics major. The mathematical emphasis option requires the completion of additional math coursework and Economics Advanced Elective courses. The Economics with Mathematical Emphasis option is intended for students planning for the rigors of graduate programs in economics or other math-based, analytical careers.

Once you have met the requirements for declaring the economics major, you will need to complete the online declaration form and then attend a group advising session.

Review the requirements for completing the major. To see which requirements you have fulfilled and what remains to be done, run a “What If” DARS (Degree Audit Reportings System) report with your chosen degree plan and the economics major.

Your degree plan is assigned when you enter the university. You can receive either the B.A. or B.S. degree as an economics major. Review the requirements of each degree and choose the one best suited to your intellectual ability and interests. If you wish to change your degree plan, please run a “What-If” DARS report to verify your choice, then make the change online.

Yes, as long as your School or College consents. You must meet the declaration requirements of the economics major and complete the declaration process. Once an economics department advisor approves your qualifications, you will take the form to your home advisor to add the economics major to your degree plan.

No. Your degree requirements will be those of your home School or College. You will be required, however, to fulfill all requirements of the economics major.

No. For a list of qualifying STEM-OPT granting programs, see the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and Eligible CIP Codes for the STEM OPT Extension.

Economics Advanced Electives are courses that require completion of one or both intermediate economic theory courses and are taught in the Department of Economics; they do not include cross-listed courses, or courses taught by other departments. Don’t assume a course is an Econ Advanced Elective because it gives advanced level credit towards degree requirements; they are two separate things! Other electives in economics are courses that require at least Econ 101. They may originate in our department or be cross-listed with our department. A very specific list of Econ Advanced Electives and applied electives is broken out on your DARS and on our website.

If you fail a course with your major, you will not receive credit for it unless it is retaken. Retaking the course will not remove the original failing grade from your transcript, but it will give you the required credit for the course. Courses for which you received a grade other than an “F” (failing) also may be retaken, but may not be taken for credit. Please consult with your advisor before you choose to retake any economics courses. Retaking a course is generally not recommended. The two grades do not average out.

Students may schedule appointments with our professional career advisors or with one of our peer career advisors. Please visit the econ career advising page for details on scheduling an appointment and drop-in advising hours. For general career questions, you may email econcareers@ssc.wisc.edu.

Economics majors have some of the strongest professional prospects of any major. Our graduates have success in diverse fields and firms all across the world. Learn more about career opportunities for economics majors from the Economics Career Development Office. We encourage students to meet with our career advisor to help prepare them for their future after college. Our students also go onto several different fields of graduate school and should consult our academic advisors if this is in their interests.

During the semester, drop-in advising is generally held Tuesday-Friday, 10am-12pm. However, please visit our Academic Advising page for exceptions to these hours.

Generally, appointments are reserved for declared economics majors. If you have formally declared the major, you can make an appointment with your advisor online, via MyUW using the Starfish app. Open advising slots are added regularly during advising weeks.