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Liberal Arts and Professional Studies – Economics

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Department of Economics

The Economics program focuses on those aspects of social behaviour and those institutions which are involved in the allocation of scarce resources among alternative uses in the pursuit of the satisfaction of human wants. Through a unique teaching approach that blends theory and application, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the analytical and quantitative tools of economic analysis as you apply them to understand and solve of a wide range of individual and social problems about consumption and production in a variety of markets (product, labour, capital, etc., both nationally and internationally) which arise because of resource scarcity. You will be able to pursue a degree in Economics at the BA Specialized Honours, BA Honours, or BA level.

Prior to entering the Economics program, students are required to have completed 4U mathematics MHF4U (Advanced Functions) or an equivalent course.

Specialized Honours BA: 120 Credits

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 course credits and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at York University.

Graduation requirement: a minimum of 21 general education credits as follows:

  • 6.00 credits in natural science (NATS)
  • a 9.00 credit approved general education course in the social science or humanities categories
  • a 6.00 credit approved general education course in the opposite category to the 9.00 credit course in social science or humanities already taken

General education: 24 credits of general education chosen from approved courses in humanities, modes of reasoning, natural science and social science, including a minimum of six credits in each of humanities, natural science and social science.

Major credits: students must complete at least 60 credits in economics including:

*Note: Economics writing courses are designated with a fourth digit of 9, e.g. AP/ECON 3259 3.00.

Note: at least 12 credits in the major must be at the 4000 level.

Upper-level credits: at least 36 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including at least 18 credits at the 4000 level.

Credits outside the major: at least 18 credits.

Honours BA: 120 Credits

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 course credits and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at York University.

Graduation requirement: students must successfully complete (pass) at least 120 credits which meet the Faculty's degree and program requirements with a cumulative grade point average of at least 5.00.

General education: a minimum of 21 general education credits as follows:

  • 6.00 credits in natural science (NATS)
  • a 9.00 credit approved general education course in the social science or humanities categories
  • a 6.00 credit approved general education course in the opposite category to the 9.00 credit course in social science or humanities already taken

Major credits: students must complete at least 48 credits in economics including:

*Note: Economics writing courses are designated with a fourth digit of 9, e.g. AP/ECON 3259 3.00.

Note: at least 12 credits in the major must be at the 4000 level.

Upper-level credits: at least 36 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including at least 18 credits at the 4000 level.

Credits outside the major: at least 18 credits. (Note: students who are completing a double major or major/minor are deemed to have fulfilled this requirement.)

Honours Double Major BA

The Honours BA program described above may be pursued jointly with any other Honours bachelor's degree program in the Faculties of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Environmental Studies or Fine Arts, or with approved major degree programs in the Faculties of Health, Science or the Lassonde School of Engineering. For further details on requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours programs that may be pursued jointly with other Faculties.

Note: in a double major program, a course may count only once toward major credit.

Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary (Linked) BA

Economics may be linked with any Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary BA program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. Courses taken to meet economics requirements cannot also be used to meet the requirements of the interdisciplinary program. Students in these interdisciplinary programs must take a total of at least 18 credits at the 4000 level, including at least six credits in economics and six credits in the interdisciplinary program. For further details of requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary BA programs.

Note: in a double major program, a course may count only once toward major credit.

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 course credits and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at York University.

Graduation requirement: students must successfully complete (pass) at least 120 credits which meet the Faculty's degree and program requirements with a cumulative grade point average of at least 5.00.

General education: a minimum of 21 general education credits as follows:

  • 6.00 credits in natural science (NATS)
  • a 9.00 credit approved general education course in the social science or humanities categories
  • a 6.00 credit approved general education course in the opposite category to the 9.00 credit course in social science or humanities already taken

Major credits: students must complete at least 42 credits in economics including:

Note: at least 6 credits in the major must be at the 4000 level.

Upper-level credits: at least 36 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including at least 18 credits at the 4000 level.

Honours Major/Minor BA

The Honours BA program described above may be pursued jointly with any Honours Minor bachelor's degree program in the Faculties of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Environmental Studies or Fine Arts, or with approved minor degree programs in the Faculties of Health, Science or the Lassonde School of Engineering. For further details on requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours programs that may be pursued jointly with other Faculties.

Note: in a major/minor program, a course may count only once toward major credit or minor credit.

Honours Minor BA

The Honours Minor BA program described may be combined with any approved Honours BA program that offers a major/minor option in the Faculties of Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Science or the Lassonde School of Engineering. For further details on requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours programs that may be pursued jointly with other Faculties.

Note: in a major/minor program, a course may count only once toward major credit or minor credit.

Minor credits: students must complete at least 39 credits in economics including:

Note: at least six credits in the minor at the 4000 level.

BA: 90 Credits

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 course credits and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at York University.

Graduation requirement: students must successfully complete (pass) at least 90 credits that meet the Faculty's degree and program requirements with a cumulative grade point average of at least 4.00.

General education: a minimum of 21 general education credits as follows:

  • 6.00 credits in natural science (NATS)
  • a 9.00 credit approved general education course in the social science or humanities categories
  • a 6.00 credit approved general education course in the opposite category to the 9.00 credit course in social science or humanities already taken

Major credits: students must complete at least 39 credits in economics including:

Note: at least 12 credits in the major at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Upper-level credits: at least 18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Credits outside the major: at least 18 credits.

Course Substitutes

Subject to course exclusions, program requirements/restrictions and residency requirements, the following courses are acceptable substitutes for the purpose of meeting the economics program requirements.

Program Course Course Substitutes
AP/ECON 1000 3.00 GL/ECON 2500 3.00
AP/ECON 1010 3.00 GL/ECON 2510 3.00

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