If you have a special interest in a subject related to Economics that you would like to pursue but that does not fall into the subject matter of an economics course, you may seek out an interested Economics Department faculty member to supervise your independent study (ECON-490) or independent reading (ECON-390). You may also obtain an internship or co-op for credit (ECON-396). Exceptional students may be invited by a professor to take an Internship in Teaching Economics (ECON-492). Up to three credits may be fulfilled by one of these kinds of independent study.

Using Courses Outside of Economics to Count Towards the Economics Major

The Economics Department encourages its BA students to pursue joint majors by allowing one 300-or-higher-level courses to be counted towards the major in place of an ECON-3xx course for the BA. Outside courses must be substantially related to economics. Discuss with your academic advisor in the Economics Department which of these courses you would like to count towards your econ major. Special permission must be obtained from your faculty advisor in Economics to count other outside courses towards the major.

The Economics Department encourages students to participate in study abroad and in other AU programs. Up to six credits of 300-or-higher-level economics-related courses from study abroad programs or from the Washington Semester in Economic Policy may be counted towards the major. Special permission must be obtained from your faculty advisor in economics to count other study abroad courses towards the major.