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AA in Economics

Program Description

Economics is the study of how society allocates scarce resources (land, labor, capital) in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants. It is broadly divided into two branches: Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. Macroeconomics is concerned with the workings of the economy as a whole. It is the study of broad measures of economic performance: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, and inflation. Given these measures, it considers the role of the government in guiding the macroeconomy. Microeconomics focuses on the role of individual decision-makers—consumers and firms—and analyzes the efficiencies and failures of a market system. The potential role of government to wholly or partially correct market failures is then considered. The two branches approach the fundamental questions of resource allocation from opposite sides: one from the perspective of the economy as a whole (macroeconomics) and one from the perspective of the individual agents in the economy (microeconomics).

Learn more about the program on the Economics website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Have a working understanding of the role of prices in a market economy, trade, economic growth, competition, market failures, and the economic role of government.

Employ economic reasoning and logic to explain the world and make better decisions.

Career Opportunities

A major in economics is excellent undergraduate preparation for students who wish to enter the legal profession, politics, government service, or teaching. Graduate degrees are necessary for those who wish to teach at the college or university level. Graduate degrees in economics also afford opportunities for banking careers at the higher management levels and in the fields of securities analysis, finance, and, increasingly, in the fields of international finance and international trade. An economics major is highly recommended for entry into Master of Business Administration programs. Statistics and calculus are strongly encouraged for students intending to pursue a baccalaureate degree in economics.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 31

Additional Information

Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Online Courses for Economics

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

• For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
• If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:

Completion of one of the following general education patterns: 17³Ô¹Ï General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

Core courses (18 units)

Support courses (13 units)

*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

Support Courses (13 units)

Select 13 units from the following:

For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit .

Based on the 2024 - 2025 degree program.