Managerial Economics Concentration

BS in Economics

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Banner Code: LA-BS-ECON-MECN

Economics is about more than money and profits. It is a way of looking at the world through the lens of incentives, choices, and markets to help uncover new solutions to the persistent problems in our society. This economic perspective sheds light on important issues in the areas of production, education, crime, the environment, international trade, immigration, health care, economic growth, poverty, and more. The Bachelor of Science in Economics provides a stronger emphasis on quantitative analysis. Students prepare for a career as an analyst in government, consulting, trade associations, or other private sector positions, and for graduate school in economics or more quantitative business administration programs.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Policies

Students pursuing this degree must complete a minimum of 59 credits of required coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students completing a concentration will complete additional credits.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Honors in the Major

Students pursuing departmental honors must complete 6 hours of ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) culminating with an original work of research and an oral presentation. Requirements for departmental honors are in addition to the coursework required for the major. Students must complete ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) with a grade of B or higher to receive departmental honors.

Economics majors who have completed 90 credits with an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.50 within the major are eligible to apply. Not all applicants who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed acceptance.

Applications will be available starting May 1st of each year. Applications are due by August 1st.

To be accepted into the program and enroll in ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) students must submit a research proposal. Research proposals can be developed independently or by completing ECON 494 Introduction to Independent Research in Economics with a grade of B or higher. Completion of ECON 494 Introduction to Independent Research in Economics is not required for departmental honors.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Some economics courses may fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. Check with the departmental advising office for more information.

Core Courses without Concentration

Required Courses 

ECON 103 Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (with a grade of C or above) 3
ECON 104 Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) (with a grade of C or above) 3
ECON 306 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
ECON 309 Economic Problems and Public Policies 3
ECON 311 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
ECON 345 Introduction to Econometrics 3
MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 4
MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
Total Credits 26

Statistics

Select one from the following: 1 6
STAT 250& STAT 350
 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
and Introductory Statistics II
STAT 344& STAT 354
 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
Total Credits 6
1

With departmental permission, BUS 210 Business Analytics I (Mason Core) and BUS 310 Business Analytics II may also be substituted for the two required courses in statistics; however, a two-course sequence of STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) and STAT 350 Introductory Statistics II OR STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I and STAT 354 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II is highly recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in economics.

Additional Course 

ACCT 203 Survey of Accounting 3
or STAT 362 Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages
Total Credits 3

Electives without Concentration

Electives
Select 18 credits of electives from courses in economics at the 300 or 400 level 1 18
Select 6 credits of electives from courses in economics at the 400 level or higher. 6
Total Credits 24
1

ECON 385 International Economic Policy may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

ECON 340 Introduction to Mathematical Economics may be used in place of the 4-credit course MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II. If this option is taken, students will not be able to apply ECON 340 as an elective in the major. MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II is strongly recommended for students considering graduate school in economics since it is required for admission to most graduate programs. An additional calculus course beyond MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II is also advisable for students considering graduate study in economics.

Optional Concentrations

Students interested in a degree in economics with a concentration will complete the coursework for one of the concentrations below.

Available Concentrations

  • Concentration in Managerial Economics (MECN)
  • Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

Concentration in Managerial Economics (MECN)

Students who wish to focus their BS in economics for application in the business world may choose to pursue a concentration in managerial economics. They complete 60 credits, 10 of which may be used also to fulfill Mason Core requirements.

Required Courses
ECON 103 Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) 3
ECON 104 Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) 3
ECON 306 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
ECON 308 Managerial Economics and Strategy 3
ECON 309 Economic Problems and Public Policies 3
ECON 310 Money and Banking 3
ECON 311 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
ECON 345 Introduction to Econometrics 3
Total Credits 24
Statistics
Select one from the following: 6
BUS 210& BUS 310
 Business Analytics I (Mason Core)
and Business Analytics II
STAT 250& STAT 350
 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
and Introductory Statistics II
STAT 344& STAT 354
 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
Total Credits 6
Required Courses in Math
Select one from the following: 3
MATH 108
 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications (Mason Core)
HNRT 225
 Applied Calculus
MATH 113
 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)
Total Credits 3
Two Required Courses in Business and Accounting
ACCT 203 Survey of Accounting 3
MGMT 303 Principles of Management 3
Total Credits 6
Electives in Economics1
Select 9 credits from the following: 9
ECON 321
 Economics of Labor
ECON 370
 Economics of Industrial Organization
ECON 390
 International Economics
ECON 412
 Game Theory and Economics of Institutions
ECON 415
 Law and Economics
ECON 420
 International Money and Finance
ECON 421
 Financial Economics
ECON 471
 Airline Economics
Total Credits 9
Additional Electives in Economics1
Select 12 credits of electives in economics from courses at the 300 and 400 level or higher. 2 12
Total Credits 12
1

At least 6 credits of electives in economics must be at the 400 level.

2

At least one 3 credit economics elective must be a Writing-Intensive economics elective; and, one 3 credit economics elective must be the Apex, either ECON 491 Capstone in Economics (Mason Core) or ECON 493 Capstone Internship (Mason Core). ECON 385 International Economic Policy may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Elective in Business
Select one elective from the following: 3
FNAN 303
 Financial Management
MGMT 3---
 Management Elective
MKTG 303
 Principles of Marketing
MIS 303
 Introduction to Business Information Systems (Mason Core)
Total Credits 3

Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

This is a high credit concentration for students interested in a program that explores the interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, political science, and economics.

Required Courses in Economics
ECON 103 Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) 3
ECON 104 Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) 3
ECON 306 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
ECON 311 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
ECON 345 Introduction to Econometrics 3
Total Credits 15
Statistics
Select one from the following: 1 6
STAT 250& STAT 350
 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
and Introductory Statistics II
STAT 344& STAT 354
 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
Total Credits 6
1

With departmental permission, BUS 210 Business Analytics I (Mason Core) and BUS 310 Business Analytics II may also be substituted for the two required courses in statistics; however, a two-course sequence of STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) and STAT 350 Introductory Statistics II OR STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I and STAT 354 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II is highly recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in economics.

Required Courses in Math and Information Technology
MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 4
MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
Total Credits 8
Electives
Select 18 credits of electives in economics at the 300 and 400 level or higher. 1 18
Total Credits 18
1

ECON 385 International Economic Policy may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

ECON 340 Introduction to Mathematical Economics may be used in place of the 4-credit course MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II. If this option is taken, students will not be able to apply ECON 340 as an elective in the major. MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II is strongly recommended for students considering graduate school in economics since it is required for admission to most graduate programs. An additional calculus course beyond MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II is also advisable for students considering graduate study in economics.

Philosophy
Foundational
Choose one of the following: 3
PHIL/GOVT 324
 Modern Western Political Theory
or PHIL/GOVT 327
 Contemporary Western Political Theory
PHIL 357
 Philosophy of the Social Sciences
or PHIL 371
 Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
Electives
Choose two of the following: 6
PHIL 357
 Philosophy of the Social Sciences
PHIL 371
 Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
PHIL 358
 Ethics and Economics
Culminating
PHIL 353 Theories of Justice 3
Total Credits 12
Political Science
Foundational
GOVT 133 Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core) 3
Electives
Choose two of the following: 6
GOVT 101
 Democratic Theory and Practice (Mason Core)
GOVT 301
 Public Law and the Judicial Process
GOVT 307
 Legislative Behavior
GOVT 308
 The American Presidency
GOVT 312
 Political Parties and Campaigns
GOVT 318
 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process
GOVT/PHIL 323
 Classical Western Political Theory
GOVT 422
 Constitutional Interpretation
GOVT 331
 Politics of Latin America
GOVT 332
 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
GOVT 333
 Politics of East Asia
GOVT 334
 Politics of Europe
GOVT 338
 Politics of Eurasia
GOVT 345
 Islam and Politics
GOVT 361
 Introduction to Environmental Policy
GOVT 364
 Public Policy Making
GOVT 366
 Public Policy Analysis
GOVT 367
 Money, Markets and Economic Policy (Mason Core)
GOVT 422
 Constitutional Interpretation
GOVT 423
 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
GOVT 443
 Law and Ethics of War
Culminating
GOVT 467 How Washington Really Works 3
Total Credits 12
Culminating Course in Economics
ECON 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics 3
Total Credits 3

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing:

Select one from the following: 3
ECON 365
 Topics in Economic History (Mason Core)
ECON 395
 Effective Writing in Economics (Mason Core)
ECON 485
 Smithian Political Economy I (Mason Core)
Total Credits 3

Upper Level Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information. 

  • VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
  • VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (lower-level) 3
Oral Communication 3
Quantitative Reasoning 3
Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
Arts 3
Global Contexts 3
Global History 3
Literature 3
Natural Science 7
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Just Societies (optional) 1
Integration Requirements
Written Communication (upper-level) 3
Writing Intensive 2 3
Mason Apex 3 3
Total Credits 40
1

In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Students who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in this area may choose to enroll in a Just Societies-flagged course. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely with their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.

2

Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.

3

Minimum 3 credits required.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ECON 345, 355, 365, 435, or 470.