Economics Pathway Guide

Preparation for Transfer as an Economics Major

The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as an economics major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed.  If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.

CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide  for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.

Save all of your course syllabi! 

Please note: These plans assume students are ready to take calculus. If you are not “calculus ready,” take math courses to prepare you for calculus so that you advance to calculus as soon as possible. Also, if you are planning a minor, typically only one or two transfer courses will be applied.

The Economic Edge

Economics majors focus on theories and their application to many of the complex business, domestic and foreign economic issues facing the world today.  Areas of study include international economics and trade, monetary policy, econometrics, financial economics, industrial organization, labor economics, public finance, and economic development.

The Economics Department  at SMU is part of Dedman College , home to the humanities, social and behavioral sciences.  The department offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics.  Currently, economics is the most popular undergraduate major at SMU and our faculty is well known for their teaching excellence.  Our tenured and tenure-track faculty members are actively engaged in academic research in a variety of fields and several hold editorial appointments in major academic journals.

The Economics Community

SMU economics majors are engaged outside of the classroom as well.  The Economics Club is an organization for students with an interest in economics. Every semester the club invites speakers and holds information sessions and formal debates on current economic issues. Events have included a visit to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, dinner discussions on current economic issues, and guest lecturers such as the President of the International Association of Energy Economists, the Chief Economist of Exxon Mobil, and the General Secretary of OPEC.

Economics Practicum

The Department of Economics  encourages students to complete at least one practicum in preparation for the job market.  Pass/fail course credit is available for qualifying students who are undertaking a practicum that involves significant economic research. The requirements for the practicum include the completion of a journal, a 3.0 GPA in economics, and the completion of relevant coursework.  Recent graduates work at Morgan Stanley, EDS, KPMG, Texas Instruments, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and the Mexican Trade Commission.

Majoring in Economics

The Economics Department offers four degree plans from which to choose:

• Economics, B.A.  
• Economics, B.S.   
• Economics with Finance Applications, B.S.   
• Economics, B.S. (Management Information Applications Concentration)   

Economics works well in combination with other majors such as Public Policy , Markets & Culture , and International Studies . Careful planning to achieve a double major is recommended.

Minoring in Economics

An Economics Minor  is also available that requires 24 total credit hours. 

Admission as an Economics Major

To enter SMU as an economics major, transfer students must have 30 or more hours of transfer credit and a minimum all-college cumulative GPA of 2.700.  Additionally, students must have a 2.700 GPA on a subset of courses equivalent to SMU’s

• ECO 1311 - Principles of Microeconomics: Consumers, Firms, and Markets  
• ECO 1312 - Principles of Macroeconomics: Inflation, Recession, and Unemployment  
• MATH 1309 - Introduction to Calculus for Business and Social Science  or MATH 1337 - Calculus I  
• STAT 2331 - Introduction to Statistical Methods  
• WRTR 1312 - Introduction to Academic Writing  

Preparing for a Smooth Transition

Transfer students who take time to prepare for their move to SMU are some of our most successful students.  Following are a few important points to remember:

• Work on the Common Curriculum  prior to transfer is suggested.
• The second language requirement of the Common Curriculum  may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of world language by taking a SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English
• SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
• A solid math background is important for success in economics.
• For students considering graduate work in economics, a math minor or the equivalent is recommended.
• Compare Course Descriptions  found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits. 
• For additional information on the Economics major, visit our department homepage or call 214-768-4337
• For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.

SMU Degree

A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 122 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU, 42 of which must be in courses at the 3000 and higher levels. Components of the degree include:

• Courses in your major
• Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC)  
• Elective courses.  These electives may also be used to add a second major or minor.  Common minors for economics majors include business, history, international studies, psychology and Spanish. 

The Common Curriculum (CC)

The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components: 

1. Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language. 
2. Breadth - 7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
3. Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through coursework or approved, noncredit activities.

NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.

Apply Now!

Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.