Economics > Undergraduate > Major Requirements

Students who entered Johns Hopkins in this academic year should refer to the current Academic Catalog for a current list of major requirements. Students who entered Johns Hopkins University in a previous academic year should refer to the catalog of that academic year.

The B.A. in Economics offered at Johns Hopkins University has a STEM classification with CIP code 45.0603. This code is included in the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List.

Meaning of course numbering:

  • 100-level courses have no prerequisites.
  • 200-level courses have at least one of AS 180.101 or AS 180.102 as prerequisites. Some have both.
  • 300-level courses (except 301 and 302) have either 301 or 302 or both as prerequisites. Some 300-level courses have additional prerequisites; see individual course listings.

Contact your DUS

Somasree Dasgupta
[email protected]

Requirements for the major are as follows:

  • 180.101 and 180.102 Elements of Macro and Micro with grade of C or higher
  • 180.301 and 180.302 Micro and Macro Theory
  • 180.334 Econometrics
  • Three elective courses at either the 200 or 300 level
  • Two elective courses at the 300 level
  • One semester of calculus (prerequisite for 180.301 and 180.302). This requirement can be satisfied by 110.106, 110.108, 110.113, with AP placement out of one of these courses, or with Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) approval for other calculus courses.
  • One semester of statistics (prerequisite for Econometrics 180.334). The current list of such courses offered by various departments are: AS.280.345, EN.553.111, EN.553.112, EN.553.113, EN.553.211, EN.553.310, EN.553.311, EN.553.420, EN.553.430, EN.553.435, EN.560.348, EN.560.435, or AP credit for any of these courses.

As per KSAS requirements, Economics majors must complete 120 total degree credits in order to graduate with a B.A. in Economics.

Internships, independent studies, and the senior thesis cannot be counted toward the 10-course major requirement.

There are also specific guidelines for the economics senior thesis, which is one of the requirements for a degree with Honors in Economics.

Graduate Study Preparation

The following courses are NOT required for the economics major but are recommended as preparation for graduate study in economics:

  • 110.113 Linear Algebra
  • 110.112 Calculus III
  • 553.311 Introduction to Probability
  • 553.312 Introduction to Statistics

AP Policy

Students who use credits to satisfy the 180.101 Elements of Macroeconomics and 180.102 Elements of Microeconomics requirements must take additional courses to reach a total of ten courses in the department (or DUS-approved transfer or study-abroad courses; see below) to complete an economics major or six courses for the minor.

  • Macro. Students who score a 5 on the Macro AP exam may place out of Elements of Macroeconomics (180.101), and they receive university credit for this course. However, it is highly recommended that these students have a conversation with Professor Hellen Seshie-Nasser or Professor Bob Barbera prior to counting their AP credit in place of Elements of Macro.
  • Micro. Students who score a 5 on the Micro AP exam are invited to give a brief informal demonstration of their knowledge; if this is satisfactory, such students may place out of Elements of Microeconomics (180.102), and they receive university credit for this course. To take this diagnostic test, see Professor Muhammad Husain.

Study Abroad

For study-abroad course transfer credit, see the DUS prior to studying abroad. Courses taken abroad count toward the major only if approved by the DUS. 

Summer and Transfer Courses

All transfer courses from outside institutions need to be approved by the DUS. The following general guidelines govern our policy:

  • Summer courses offered by the Department of Economics may be counted toward the economics major on the same basis as those offered during the academic year.
  • At least 5 of the 10 economics courses required for the major must be taken in the Department of Economics at Hopkins.
  • Summer courses from other universities would need prior approval from the DUS.