Majoring in Economics at W&M

Thinking about majoring in Economics? Here is everything you need to know — including a step-by-step guide to declaring your major.

Department of Economics · Chancellors Hall, Room 317 · 300 James Blair Dr, Williamsburg, VA
📧 economics@wm.edu · 🌐 wm.edu/as/economics

Why Economics?

An economics degree builds skills — data analysis, modeling, and clear reasoning about incentives and trade-offs — that open doors across the private and public sectors.

Career Path	What You’ll Do
Data & Economic Analyst	Turn data into insight for firms, banks, and consulting companies
Financial Analyst / Banking	Evaluate investments, manage risk, advise on markets
Government & Public Policy	Analyze effects of taxes, regulation, and spending
Consulting	Advise businesses and governments on pricing and strategy
Research Economist	Conduct original research (typically requires graduate degree)
Law & Graduate School	Economics is excellent preparation for JD, MBA, MPP, or Ph.D. programs

How to Declare the Economics Major — Step by Step

Step 1 · Check the core requirements

Before meeting with an advisor, familiarize yourself with what the major requires. The Economics major consists of:

Core courses: Calculus (MATH 108/111/131), ECON 101, 102, 303, 304, 307, 308
300-level field courses: 9–12 credits (depending on whether you take ECON 307)
400-level field courses: 9 credits
At least 120 total credit hours for graduation, including COLL requirements

📄 Full Catalog Requirements

Step 3 · Fill out the Declaration of Major form

Using your Degree Evaluation, complete the Declaration of Major form before you meet with your advisor. Fill in as much as you can — your advisor will help you correct and finalize it at your appointment.

📄 Declaration of Major in Economics (PDF)

Make sure the form reflects a plan that satisfies:

All Economics major requirements (40 credits)
Your remaining COLL requirements
A total of at least 120 credit hours toward graduation

Step 4 · Choose a major advisor

All full-time Economics faculty can serve as your major advisor. Choose someone whose interests align with yours, or whose class you have taken. You can browse faculty research and teaching interests in the faculty directory, or check the current list of available major advisors.

👥 Faculty Directory
📄 Major Advisors List (PDF)

Step 5 · Schedule an advising appointment

Contact your chosen advisor to set up a meeting. You can email them directly or stop by during office hours. Come prepared with:

Your completed (draft) Declaration of Major form
A list of questions about course planning, sequencing, or careers

Step 6 · Meet with your advisor and get the form signed

At your appointment, you and your advisor will review your course plan, make any corrections, and discuss coursework that fits your interests. Your advisor will then sign the Declaration of Major form.

This is also a good time to ask about research opportunities, internships, graduate school, or any upper-level courses you are considering.

Step 7 · Submit the signed form

After your advisor signs the form, submit it to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare your major. You can send it via email to degreeaudit@wm.edu or drop it off in person at the Office of the University Registrar Blow Memorial Hall Room 240.

Core Requirements for the Major

Course	Title	Notes
MATH 108, 111, or 131	Calculus	Mathematical foundation for economic modeling
ECON 101	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 303	Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
ECON 304	Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
ECON 307	Principles and Methods of Statistics	Strongly recommended over substitutes
ECON 308	Econometrics	Major Computing Requirement

Note on ECON 307: If you take ECON 307, you need only 9 additional credits at the 300 level. If you substitute it (BUAD 231, MATH 106, MATH 351, or SOCL 353), those credits do not count toward the major, so you will need 12 credits at the 300 level instead. The department strongly encourages you to take ECON 307.