Declaring the Economics Major or Minor

Current UMass Amherst students who'd like to declare or explore the major or minor in Economics should meet with an Economics Peer Advisor during drop-in office hours.

Peer Advisor Drop-In Office Hours Fall 2025 in Crotty Hall 221 (begins Tuesday, September 2nd):

• The Bachelor of Arts in Economics is an open major and does not have specific requirements to join, such as predictor courses or a minimum GPA.
• The Econ major is now designated as a STEM degree for the purposes of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the STEM extension for international students on a visa.
• The Econ major is a Math intensive major - please take this into consideration when exploring Economics.
• Once students meet with a Peer Advisor (Peers only work during fall/spring terms), most will be added to the major or minor or receive a response from an Economics Staff Advisor within the week - it may take longer during busy advising periods like add/drop or course registration. Please plan accordingly and meet with a Peer ahead of busy periods when possible. You may declare an Econ major or minor during winter and summer sessions when Peers do not work via our online declaration form here. Summer declarations will be reviewed/processed as we are able and may be delayed until after end of summer New Student Orientation.
• For students with complex academic circumstances, or for those nearing expected graduation, an Econ Advisor may request a meeting with you before the major or minor is declared.
• Our Econ major course requirements can be found here.
• Econ second majors, even those pursuing dual degrees where Econ is listed second in Spire, are exempt from the Econ Junior Year Writing course and the Econ Integrative Experience (IE) course. Second majors must replace the Econ IE with an Econ upper level elective.
• Econ minor course requirements can be found here.
• Econ second majors and minors must abide by our course enrollment restrictions giving Econ primary majors priority for some Econ courses for a short time during course pre-registration each semester. We cannot guarantee first choice courses in all instances for second majors and minors, so please plan accordingly. More information can be found here.