Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Bachelor of Science, Major in Economics

Bachelor of Science
James Madison University

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

As part of the nationally recognized JMU College of Business, the economics major fosters an understanding and appreciation of economic forms of explanation and their relationships to other social sciences. The major will provide students with an intellectual foundation for the appreciation and understanding of economic theory and policy that stresses the importance of imaginative thinking, free inquiry and the pursuit of life-long learning. In this way, the program prepares students with the economic literacy necessary to cope with the challenges inherent in a world of accelerating change.

Economics majors are generally educated students, who go on to develop their analytical, investigative and research skills. With this major, students will use their understanding of economics relationships and markets to work for manufacturing firms, financial services firms, consulting firms, the health care industries, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Economists with strong statistical backgrounds conduct research, analyze data and develop forecasts. Students with a good background in this field are competitive in the job market.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree

As an economics major at JMU, you’ll gain a solid foundation of economic theory and policy that can lead to a wide variety of career options, including financial analysis and trading, consumer advocacy, economic analysis, communications and public administration. Our curriculum will develop your skills in critical thinking, research, writing and analysis. Economics is a quantitative discipline, and so to succeed you’ll need to be comfortable working with mathematics.

At JMU, we offer three degrees with a major in economics. In each degree program, all of the core courses and elective choices are the same – you just pair your economics studies with other university requirements to make it a B.A, B.S. or B.B.A. The B.A. is useful for students with an interest in foreign languages or government service. The B.S. adds math and science requirements at the university level. The B.B.A. includes work in the major business disciplines to prepare you for a career in a small or large enterprise or nonprofit organization.

Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses that are shown on the VCCS to JMU transfer guide for this major. Pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered. Complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and a JMU transfer advisor within your first year. College Connect available in your account of www.TransferVirginia.org.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and James Madison University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree

Students may decide to focus their economics electives on one of several concentrations:

  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • Financial Economics
  • International Economics
  • Political Economy
  • Quantitative Economics
  • Socioeconomics

By completing the B.B.A. requirements you make it relatively easy to add another business major, such as finance or marketing, to your economics degree. Or, if you major in something else, the economics minor can strengthen your analytical abilities to complement the major. We have an internship and job placement program in coordination with the University Career Center at JMU. Qualified undergraduates can get experience as teaching assistants through the PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) program.

Program Successes & Highlights

The College of Business is among only 5% of business schools with accreditation by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) gives students the opportunity to do supervised research one-on-one with a faculty member. We have an Executive Advisory Board that works actively to promote success of JMU economics graduates in business, finance and government. You can view more highlights for the economics program at https://www.jmu.edu/cob/economics/about/highlights.shtml.

Based on a sample population, the vast majority of College of Business graduates are employed, in graduate school, continuing education or engaged in other career-related endeavors within 6 months of graduation. You can find data about the successes of recent graduates at https://www.jmu.edu/cob/prospective-students/polishing-performance.shtml.

Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between James Madison University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Richard Bland College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - James Madison University and Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and James Madison University

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of an approved transfer associate degree will guarantee fulfillment of JMU's General Education requirements. https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/VCCStransfer/ASDegrees.shtml

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB, CIE and CLEP for all students with eligible scores, which may be different than at your prior institution. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to the JMU student record. Credit for prior learning (CLEP) is awarded on a per case basis for Adult Degree (Individualized Studies Majors) and RN-BSN students only and in consultation with the department of expertise, with the exception of military service credit. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: James Madison University
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
2481
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
55% (2023-2024)
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 89% of classes have less than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public University in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Transfer applicants applying through the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying to JMU. Requirements and forms are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Arts EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Hollins UniversityBA in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate in Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Art degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Art2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeGeneral Studies, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community CollegeLiberal Arts, A.A.AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and SciencesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Arts - Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearOnline
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearOnline
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Sweet Briar CollegeBachelor of Arts in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in Economics, Major in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in Economics, Major in Economics, Concentration in Mathematical EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Economics BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearOnline, In-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBBA in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Business Administration4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityEconomics, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Online
George Mason UniversityEconomics, BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
William & MaryEconomics - Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in Economics: Applied Econ.BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Marymount University Economics (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeEconomics Major - BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Arts in EconomicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityApplied History Social Sciences (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityEconomics (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityHistory (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeEconomics (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
11-9199.11Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site ManagersPlan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.Management Occupations
11-9199.02Compliance ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.Management Occupations
25-1063.00Economics Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3011.00EconomistsConduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3011.01Environmental EconomistsConduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9199.08Loss Prevention ManagersPlan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.Management Occupations
11-9199.00Managers, All OtherAll managers not listed separately.Management Occupations
11-9199.01Regulatory Affairs ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.Management Occupations
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-4061.00Social Science Research AssistantsAssist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3022.00Survey ResearchersPlan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9199.10Wind Energy Development ManagersLead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.Management Occupations
11-9199.09Wind Energy Operations ManagersManage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at James Madison University
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $4,075 Per Semester $32,600 $0 $32,600
Fees
Comprehensive Fee $2,908 Per Semester $23,264 0 $23,264
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.