Here, current and prospective undergraduate Economics students will find information about:

• Current advising schedule
• Special Topics Courses
• Tutoring
• The senior thesis
• Internship credit
• Terry certificate programs
• Pre-law program
• Study abroad
• Frequently Asked Questions

This page is updated before the beginning of each semester. We rely on our LISTSERV and Facebook to communicate news, events and opportunities throughout the year. Majors are automatically subscribed to the LISTSERV and all posts are archived.

Current Advising Schedule

Walk-in Hours

Day(s)	Times
Fridays	1:30 – 3:30 pm or email advisor.

Walk-in hours are great for students who have a question about their schedule, changes in their plans since they were advised, discussions about their upcoming study abroad credits, exploring what a minor would do to your required course list, and other questions.

End of Spring Semester Walk-in Schedule

Day(s)	Times
Wednesday, April 24	1:30 – 4:00 pm
Thursday, April 25	1:30 – 3:30 pm
Monday, April 29	1:30 – 3:30 pm
Tuesday, April 30	1:30 – 3:30 pm

Use SARA to schedule your semester advising appointment. Please only schedule one advising appointment per semester and use walk-in hours or email the advisor for other questions.

Contact econua@uga.edu if you have not been assigned to the Economics Advisor yet but have at least 55 hours of credit.

Making Appointments

All AB Economics majors with 55 or more hours earned and BBA economics majors are advised by the Economics Department undergraduate advisor. Double majors and Honors students should always check with each departmental advisor before classes start each semester. Intended BBA Economics majors and AB Economics majors with less than 55 hours are advised in 114 Memorial Hall.

You may sign up online for advising appointments, but only after the current drop-add period. Please note that drop-add is during the first week of classes. If you have problems making an appointment, call the department office at 706‑542‑1311 or email the advisor at econua@uga.edu.

AB graduation e-appointments should be made with Schala Bolton at the Franklin advising website up to one year before graduation. BBA graduation appointments should be made online after signing up for the final semester of classes. If appointments are unavailable, students may stop by during walk-in hours to see the Economics undergraduate advisor or send an email to the Economics undergraduate advisor.

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Special Topics Courses

ECON 4850 (Special Topics for Economics) in Spring 2013

"Urban Economics" will be taught by David Agrawal in Spring 2013. The prerequisites for this course are ECON 2105, ECON 2106, ECON 4010, AND MATH 2200/2250. Students may take two ECON 4850 courses for academic credit.

Course Description

What makes some cities thrive and others stagnate? If cities generate urban problems such as poverty, crime, and congestion, why are they productive? How does geography influence economics?

The course considers the economics of urban and regional markets with an emphasis on location decisions of people and firms, growth and development of cities, optimal city size, transportation, housing markets, social problems, amenities, and quality of life. Public regulation and spending—including land use regulation, taxation, and local public services—will be studied from the perspective of local governments.

ECON 4710 (Special Topics in History) in Spring 2013

“The Great Depression” will be taught by George Selgin in Spring 2013. The prerequisite for this course is ECON 4010. Students may take two ECON 4710 courses for academic credit.

Course Description

Much of modern macroeconomic thought and policy can be traced to the Great Depression of the 1930s—the most severe depression in modern history. This course reviews economic arguments concerning the causes and consequences of that depression, with particular emphasis on U.S. experience. Particular emphasis is placed upon employing concepts and theories learned in intermediate macroeconomics (and also in money and banking classes) toward a better understanding of this crucial episode in economic history.

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Tutoring

Tutoring (PDF | 8 KB) is available from the Milledge Academic Center and Economics PhD students.

The Senior Thesis

All Economics majors must complete a senior thesis. The thesis process formally begins with enrollment in ECON 5900.

The purpose of the thesis is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of economic concepts and proficiency in writing. It should be an original synthesis of material, primarily in your own words, and cannot have been submitted in another course. Your paper will be supervised by an Economics faculty member of your choice. Unless it is an honors thesis, the body of the paper should be no more than 20 pages (about 5000 words). The typical length is 12–15 pages.The Outstanding Senior Paper award winners provide some excellent examples. Recent titles show the range of possible topics. The Senior Thesis Handbook provides more information about how to choose a faculty advisor.

Honors students may take ECON 5900H to fulfill both their honors and senior thesis requirements. Students are not limited to 20 pages when writing an honors thesis and are often expected to conduct more sophisticated research and data analyses. To enroll in ECON 5900H, students must first complete at least one research course (ECON 5960H or 5970H), which may be counted as a major required course, or HONS 4960H which may be counted as an elective. An Honors Undergraduate Research Course Application must be completed for both the research course and 5900H.

If a student's first language is not English, UNIV 2202 – Academic Writing for Multilingual Students may be beneficial if taken before ECON 5900. Questions about this recommendation should be sent to the instructor of the class, Alice Kinman.

Some tips for getting off to a good start on your paper:

• Complete two to three economics courses above the 4100 level before enrolling in 5900.
• Attend all classes. A strict attendance policy is included in the syllabus.
• Develop several potential topics before approaching a professor about advising your thesis.
• ECON 5900 is only offered during fall and spring semesters.

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Internship credit

You may receive elective credit toward your Economics major for certain types of employment. To receive credit, you must register for the internship course ECON 4800. However, registration for 4800 requires an internship course proposal that has been approved by an Economics faculty member. You are responsible for providing a written proposal to the professor that explains the nature of the internship, its relationship to the major, and the expected learning outcomes. You are strongly advised to submit your proposal to the professor at least five weeks prior to employment. Consult the information sheet (PDF | 138 KB) for 4800 or contact the Economics undergraduate advisor for more information.

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Terry certificate programs

The Terry College offers certificate programs in leadership and music business. The leadership certificate can be earned through the Institute for Leadership Advancement, which operates the two-year Leonard Leadership Scholars Program as well as the certificate program. The music business certificate is earned through the interdisciplinary Music Business Program.

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Pre-law program

Economics is an excellent preparation for law school. Students interested in law school should visit the Vice President for Instruction’s Pre-law Advising Office, which provides information and advice about how to prepare. Students should also attend a pre-law orientation session and speak with a pre-law advisor.

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Study abroad

Both the University and Terry College offer study-abroad programs for Economics majors. For information about university-sponsored programs, consult the Office of International Education. For information about Terry-sponsored programs, see Study Abroad at Terry.

If you are considering a study-abroad program that is not sponsored by UGA or the Terry College, you should provide a list enrolled courses when contacting the advisor. If studying abroad during spring or fall, please email your advisor to be advised via email in February for summer and fall advising or in September for spring advising.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between the AB and BBA degree programs?
2. What jobs are available for Economics majors?
3. Can I minor in Economics?
4. As an Honors student, can I receive Honors credit for upper-level ECON courses?
5. What if I receive a C− in a major-required or major-related class?
6. What happens if I take the same class twice?
7. Is there a website where I can find out more about the plus/minus grading system?
8. How do I know if a course will be offered next semester if it isn’t listed on OASIS?
9. When is the last day to register without incurring a late fee?
10. What if I have a hardship during the semester and need to withdraw from classes?
11. Can I finish my senior thesis if I no longer live in Athens?
12. What if I have not been enrolled in over a year?

1. What is the difference between the AB and BBA degree programs?

   AB or BBA?

   See the degrees side-by-side

2. What jobs are available for Economics majors?

   Any job in which critical-thinking and problem-solving skills are important. Popular examples include consulting and financial services. Studying economics is also great preparation for graduate study in business and law. Check out the UGA Career Center for relevant job postings and watch the LISTSERV for job announcements that come directly to the Economics Department.

3. Can I minor in Economics?

   No, but double majors are welcome.

4. As an Honors student, can I receive Honors credit for upper-level ECON courses?

   Yes. You may receive Honors option credit for ECON 4010 and ECON 4020. When taking ECON 4100 or higher, you may choose to take the 6000-level equivalent if offered or Honors option credit. If a 6000-level equivalent is not listed on OASIS, the academic advisor can enter the class on OASIS with permission of the instructor. The Graduate School approval form for 6000-level course enrollment is available at the Honors Office in Moore College.

5. What if I receive a C− in a major-required or major-related class?

   If you receive a C−, the course cannot count as a major class. If a C− is received in 4010, 4020 or 5900, you must retake the course and earn a C or better. If the C− is received in a 4100-level or higher course, or a major related course, you may take a different course as long as it’s approved for the area on your degree audit report.

6. What happens if I take the same class twice?

   Repeating a class does not replace the original grade; both grades appear on your transcript. If you receive a grade of C or better, repeating exposes you to the risk of receiving a lower grade, in which case you must take the course a third time, because all grade requirements can be satisfied only by the last grade earned.

7. Is there a website where I can find out more about the plus/minus grading system?

   Yes.

8. How do I know if a course will be offered next semester if it isn’t listed on OASIS?

   You can see all of our offerings for a given semester on the Schedule of Classes, which is updated every night.

9. When is the last day to register without incurring a late fee?

   For registration dates and payment information, consult the Bursar’s Office.

10. What if I have a hardship during the semester and need to withdraw from classes?

    Consult Student Support Services. The support services staff can assist you in weighing your options and taking the appropriate action.

11. Can I finish my senior thesis if I no longer live in Athens?

    Yes. Contact the academic advisor to be cleared to register for ECON 5900. If you learn before the withdrawal deadline that you cannot complete the course, be sure to withdraw to avoid receiving a WF.

12. What should I do if I haven’t been enrolled in over a year?

    You must apply for re-admission as a former undergraduate. Talk with someone in the Admissions Office in Terrell Hall, or check its application information page. for more information. Your academic advisor can advise you before you apply if you’d like. Once you receive your acceptance notification, you should contact your academic advisor to be cleared to register for classes. If you are unable to take classes in the semester that you are re-admitted, you should contact the Admissions Office to move your start date to the next semester to avoid the application process again.

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