ECONOMICS
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

Economics is a social science that examines the functioning of markets, the determination of prices and distribution of income, and the determination of the overall level of income and rates of unemployment and inflation. In addition, Economics deals with various social problems. The Economics major at Sacramento State is designed to provide students with a liberal education with special emphasis on the economic aspects of society, on familiarization with techniques for the analysis of contemporary economic problems, and on developing the ability to think critically, to conceptualize and to possess the communication and computer skills to evaluate private and public policy issues.

The Economics program is appealing to students due to the quality of its faculty, the breadth of its course offerings, and the amount of choice it offers the student in planning his or her course work. In addition to training in the traditional economics areas, the program offers such diverse courses as the California economy, state and local finance, energy, environmental and resource economics, and urban economics. Students find the Department of Economics congenial to their educational and career objectives.

A minor in Economics may be especially attractive to students majoring in Business Administration, Government, and Environmental Studies or in one of the other Social Science disciplines. The Economics minor adds both theoretical and analytical depth. In addition, it provides the historical and institutional background important to an understanding of contemporary economic issues. It offers students in other majors a broader-based undergraduate education while widening the choice of job possibilities. Employers view the minor in Economics favorably.

• Students in the Sacramento State Economics program benefit from a wide range of opportunities to work in the private and public sectors. The Economics Department offers internships for academic credit to students who are interested in the application of economics in the private and public sectors. This kind of practical experience enhances employment opportunities after graduation.
• Former Sacramento State Economics students are working at all levels of government and in many private concerns in the fields of finance, real estate, professional services, etc. Some are in the teaching profession, K-12 and community colleges, while others have continued their studies toward the Ph.D. at such institutions as Notre Dame, Washington University at St. Louis and University of California, Davis.
• The Sacramento State Economics faculty is diverse in areas of specialization and draws upon both its advanced academic training and practical experience. Faculty members have published articles, papers, and books, and enjoy reputations as experts in their fields. Besides providing a reputable and experienced faculty, the Economics Department offers personal advising for students in the planning and meeting of academic and career goals.
  

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Students planning ahead for graduate work in Economics should consult an advisor regarding additional and/or focused course work in mathematics, statistics, and computer science.

The Department schedules courses so that the upper division requirements for the BA can be completed at night within two academic years. Evening students should contact the Department for assistance in planning a two-year program. Failure to do so may mean a delay in graduation due to scheduling problems.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Units required for Major: 42
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (9 units)
(3)	ECON 1A	Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis
(3)	ECON 1B	Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis
(3)	STAT 1	Introduction to Statistics (MATH 9 or three years of high school mathematics which includes two years of algebra and one year of geometry; completion of ELM requirement and the Intermediate Algebra diagnostic test)
B. Required Upper Division Courses (15 units)
(3)	ECON 100A	Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 1A, ECON 1B)
(3)	ECON 100B	Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (ECON 1B)
(3)	ECON 101	History of Economic Thought (ECON 1A, ECON 1B) OR
	ECON 113	Economic History of the United States (ECON 1A or ECON 104)
(3)	ECON 140	Quantitative Economic Analysis (ECON 1A, ECON 1B, STAT 1)
(3)	ECON 145	Economic Research Methods (ECON 100A, ECON 100B, ECON 140, and passing score on WPE)

C. Electives (18 units)

(18) Additional upper division courses in Economics, selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Notes:

• Minimum grade of "C" required in ECON 100A, ECON 100B, ECON 101 or ECON 113, ECON 140 and ECON 145.
• ECON 145 must be completed in the student's graduating semester. ECON 100A, ECON 100B, and ECON 140 must be completed prior to enrolling in ECON 145.
• MATH 26A or MATH 30, or an upper division course in math or statistics, selected in consultation with an advisor, may be substituted for three of the 33 upper division units in Economics.
• ECON 104 does not meet major requirements.
• No more than 3 units total of ECON 194, ECON 195, ECON 198, ECON 199 may be included in the 33 total required upper division units.
• No more than 3 units from the following set of courses may be used to meet the requirements of the Economics major: ECON 112, ECON 120, ECON 181, ECON 184, ECON 189.
• Students planning graduate work in Economics should consult an advisor regarding additional course work in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. ECON 141, MATH 26A, and MATH 26B are strongly recommended.

REQUIREMENTS - MINOR

Units required: 21, 12 of which must be upper division Economics units. Specific course requirements are:

(3)	ECON 1A	Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis
(3)	ECON 1B	Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis

Notes:

• STAT 1 may be counted toward the minor.
• No more than 3 units of ECON 199 and no more than 6 units from the following courses may be used to meet the Economic Minor requirements: ECON 112, ECON 120, ECON 181, ECON 184, ECON 189
• ECON 104, ECON 194, ECON 195 and ECON 198 cannot be used to meet the requirements of the Economics minor.
  

The Economics Education Certificate Program is designed to give participants a solid foundation in economics that will enable them to teach the subject in primary and secondary schools. The Certificate Program is intended for (1) future or practicing teachers who desire credential authorization to teach the one-semester economics course required of all California public high school students; and (2) future or practicing teachers who wish to infuse economics into other K-12 curricula. Students majoring in Liberal Studies or Social Science or completing a teacher credential program are especially encouraged to participate.

The program consists of 15 units. A grade of “B” or higher must be obtained in each of these courses. Participants who are not enrolled in Sacramento State may take these courses through the College of Continuing Education. For more information about the program, contact the Director of the Center for Economic Education, Professor David M. Lang, (916) 278-7077.

Note: The ECON 195 requirement will enable the student to serve as a Teaching Assistant to a professor teaching either ECON 1A or ECON 1B. Students must receive the permission of the Director of the Center for Economic Education prior to enrolling in ECON 195 for the Certificate program and will be assigned to a professor by the Director.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

The Master of Arts program in Economics is designed to assist students in developing the analytical skills and reflective capacities required to think clearly and coherently about economic matters and to apply their skill and knowledge effectively to problem areas. The program seeks to prepare students for careers in business, government, and education where applied skills are appropriate. To this end, the Department offers course work and supervised study in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and a number of other fields of interest.

In line with the applied emphasis of the graduate program, the Department maintains a relationship with both the California state government and many private organizations in the Sacramento area. Recent graduates have gone on to jobs in government at all levels as well as to careers in labor unions, banks, manufacturing corporations, and other private organizations.

Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student in Economics requires:

• a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted;
• a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate Economics work;
• MATH 26A (Calculus I) or equivalent; recommend MATH 26B (Calculus II) or equivalent;
• Graduate Record Examination;
• two letters of recommendation from undergraduate instructors;
• a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (this requirement applies only to students earning degrees abroad whose primary language is not English); and
• a baccalaureate degree.
  

Students not meeting the above requirements may be granted conditionally classified graduate status with permission of the Economics Department Graduate Committee, providing the applicant submits in writing the reasons why he/she desires graduate training and why the Committee should waive one or more of the above requirements. Students accepted on this basis may be required to complete a set of courses prior to beginning the Economics Graduate core, or to fulfill other conditions prior to approval for fully classified status. Failure to conform to this stipulation will result in the revocation of the conditionally classified status.

The University deadline for submitting an application is April 1st for admission in the fall semester and October 1st for admission in the spring semester. Admission based on these deadlines allows students to meet registration deadlines. Applications submitted after the above-mentioned deadlines will only be reviewed in the event that room for new students exists. All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following documents with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:

• an online application for admission;
• two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State;
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical portion); and
• TOEFL scores, if applicable.

In addition to the above documents, arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to the Economics Department. Any applicant not meeting the first three admission requirements as specified above should submit to the Department in writing his/her reasons for requesting a waiver of the admission requirements.

Approximately six weeks after receipt of all items listed above, a decision regarding admission will be mailed to the applicant.

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy as soon as the graduate student has:

• successfully completed ECON 141, ECON 200A, and ECON 200B, and with a minimum grade of "B";
• be enrolled, or have successfully completed ECON 200C
• been recommended for advancement by the Graduate Committee; and
• passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.

Advancement to Candidacy forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with the Economics Department Graduate Coordinator. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE

Units required for MA: 30 units
Minimum 3.0 GPA
ECON 112, ECON 120, ECON 181, ECON 184, ECON 189, ECON 194, ECON 195, ECON 198, ECON 199, and ECON 204 cannot be used as part of the 30 units toward the master's degree. All students are required to complete the core course sequence outlined below with a minimum grade of "B" in each course. After completing the core courses, the student then either selects a thesis (Option A) or project (Option B) plan to finish the degree requirements. The core courses, as well as the two plans, are outlined below.

A. Core Courses (18 units)

B. Other Requirements (12 units)

Option A – Thesis

• 9 units of electives
• 3 units of Economics 500 (Master’s Thesis)

Students choosing this option will be required to complete 9 units of elective courses. Of these 9 units, 6 units (i.e., 2 courses) must come from 200-level courses. Note the following:

• There can be no 100-level/200-level duplication of similar courses (e.g., you cannot receive credit for ECON 130 and ECON 230, ECON 138 and ECON 238, etc.).
• Selected courses (e.g., Math, Statistics, or Computer Science) from other departments may be allowed as substitutes with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.
• ECON 295 and ECON 298 do not count as electives toward satisfying the 9 unit requirement without the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

The student will complete a thesis under the guidance of a thesis advisor and a committee consisting of three faculty members (one being the thesis advisor). During the writing of the thesis, the student will enroll in ECON 500 (Master’s Thesis) for 3 units. The thesis will follow all University guidelines regarding its completion and requires an oral defense.

Option B – Project

• 12 units of electives
• Paper and oral examination

Students choosing this option will be required to complete 12 units of elective courses. Of these 12 units, 9 units (i.e., 3 courses) must come from 200-level courses. Similar to Option A:

• there can be no 100-level/200-level duplication of similar courses (e.g., you cannot receive credit for ECON 130 and ECON 230, ECON 138 and ECON 238, etc.);
• selected courses (e.g., Math, Statistics, or Computer Science) from other departments may be allowed as substitutes with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator; and
• ECON 295 and ECON 298 do not count as electives toward satisfying the 9 unit requirement without the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

Among the 200-level elective courses, the student will select a “major field course” from which to write a paper. The student will sit for an oral examination that will address material pertinent to the paper and subject matter relevant to the “major field course.” The oral examination will normally occur at the end of the semester the student completes the paper. The student must be advanced to candidacy to sit for the oral examination.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Budget Analyst · Economist · Industrial Relations Specialist · Research Economist · Commodity Economist · Development Economist · Manpower Economist · Natural Resource Economist · Economic Forecaster · Commodity Price Forecaster · Market Analyst · Labor Relations Arbitrator · Policy Analyst · Investment Analyst · Energy Economist · Transportation Economist · International Economist · Business Conditions Forecaster · Economic Education Specialist

FACULTY Kace Chalmers, Smile Dube, Craig Gallet, Jessica Howell, Jonathan Kaplan, Stephan Kroll, David Lang, Suzanne O'Keefe, Stephen Perez, Terri Sexton, Mark Siegler, Kristin Van Gaasbeck, Ta-Chen Wang, Rossitza Wooster, Yan Zhou. CONTACT INFORMATION Mark Siegler, Department Chair Sharon Jordan, Administrative Support Coordinator Tahoe Hall 3028 (916) 278-6223 www.csus.edu/econ

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