CAS: Economics

Sample Pathway

Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a degree in economics. Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the economics department to plan their own pathway to an economics degree.

*Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. You will find a list of all of the courses that carry Hub units on the University’s BU Hub website. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit. Economics majors may wish to enroll in CGS HU 202 in the spring of sophomore year to fulfill one of the two required Hub units in Creativity/Innovation.

College of General Studies Program Requirements

• Two rhetoric courses: CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104
  • CGS RH 104 is taken during the London semester
• Two natural science courses: CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
• Three social science courses:
  • CGS SS 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
  • Students select at least two additional SS courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection
    
• Three humanities courses:
  • CGS HU 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
  • Students select at least two additional HU courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection

Major Requirements

The Economics major requires nine courses with grades of ‘C’ or higher. For required courses, please see the CAS Bulletin. 

Students choosing economics as their major are required to demonstrate a proficiency in calculus by completing any of the following with a grade of ‘C’ or higher: CAS MA 121, CAS MA 122, CAS MA 123, CAS MA 124, CAS MA 127, or CAS MA 129 or by achieving at least a 4 on the appropriate calculus Advanced Placement examinations.

Students should take CAS EC 101 and CAS EC 102 as soon as possible, since these courses are prerequisites for all other required courses. CAS EC 201, CAS EC 202, CAS EC 203, and CAS EC 204 should be taken before the senior year. Please note that while Economics majors are advised to take CAS EC 203 to prepare them for upper-level EC courses, MA 115, MA 213, or QST QM 221 may be substituted for CAS EC 203. The remaining five courses are to be chosen from CAS EC 320-599.

For more information, please see the Economics Department webpage.

Students with advising inquiries should contact the appropriate EC Academic Advisor below based on the first letter of their last name:

• A – I: Katarina Stewart (katms@bu.edu)
• J – Re: Mavis Manoloto (mavisjm@bu.edu)
• Ri – Z: Katie Hennessey (kahenne@bu.edu)

Information Regarding Joint Majors

Students interested in pursuing either the CAS Computer Science & Economics joint major or the CAS Economics & Mathematics joint major should consult with a CAS Economics advisor for guidance on degree planning. Please note that these joint majors have slightly different requirements. It is strongly recommended that students consult a CAS Economics advisor to ensure that there are no issues with the sequencing of their major courses.

Continuation Requirements

• Completion of the CGS required courses and appropriate electives
• Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00

Graduation Requirements

Boston University students completing a degree in CAS must also complete the following requirements. 

• BU Hub requirements
• CAS requirements:
  • Second Language requirement
• Economics major requirement
• CAS requires a minimum of 128 credits, excluding PDP, ROTC, and FY and SY courses.

This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.

It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.

Last revised: 03/31/2025