Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog Program: Financial Economics, BA Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Financial Economics, BA

Combined major offered by the department of Economics and the department of Finance and Marketing, College of Business and Economics

94-95 credits

Introduction

The study of Financial Economics will provide a combination of economic analysis and tools from accounting and finance that can be used to guide financial decisions. The Economics Department and the Department of Finance and Marketing jointly offer this major and strive to provide a program which gives students rigorous training in theory and applications of accounting, economics, and finance.

Learning Competency Goals

  • Demonstrate knowledge of financial concepts 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of economic concepts 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of accounting concepts 
  • Analyze economic data using quantitative techniques 
  • Produce quality business documents 

Why Consider a Financial Economics Major?

This major is designed for students interested in both economics and finance, and is aimed particularly at those who wish to pursue careers in corporate finance, financial analysis, insurance and real estate, and/or government agencies where special emphasis is placed on financial economic knowledge.

 Contact Information

CBE Admissions & Scholarships
Dean’s Office
Parks Hall 419
360-650-3896
cbe@wwu.edu

Economics Department Chair
Matthew Roelofs
Parks Hall 315A
360-650-7947
Matthew.Roelofs@wwu.edu

Economic Major Information:
Academic Department Manager

Diane Brearley
Parks Hall 315
360-650-3910
Diane.Brearley@wwu.edu
Econ@wwu.edu

 

Finance & Marketing Department Chair
Edwin A. Love
Parks Hall 429
360-650-4614
Ed.Love@wwu.edu

Finance Major Information:
Academic Department Manager

Heather Christianson
Parks Hall 415
360-650-2079
chris54@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Actuary | Financial Planner/Analyst | Government | Investment Banker | Budget Analyst | Banking Securities | Financial Economist | Business Forecaster

 Major/Career Resources

careercenter.wwu.edu/connectmajorcareer

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students planning to major in Economics should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western. Completion of the CBE foundation courses is not required to declare this combined major in economics.

Admissions:  Programs in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) are selective and based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise.  For admission to CBE as a full Economics major, a student must have completed the following requirements:

  • Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
  • Achieved a 2.5 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work)

Complete the online application form at: cbe.wwu.edu/apply-cbe.

Advising tips: 1) Complete MATH 157 and DSCI 205 requirements early; 2) For information regarding the MIS 220 Equivalency Exam see the Department of Decision Sciences website for test-out information: cbe.wwu.edu/mis-220-test-out; 3) Meet with your faculty advisor (assigned following admission to the major).

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
 ACCT 240 - Financial Accounting
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ACCT 245 - Managerial Accounting
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ACCT 341 - Intermediate Accounting Theory and Practice I
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ACCT 342 - Intermediate Accounting Theory and Practice II
Credits: 4
Credits: 4

❑ One course from:

DSCI 205 - Business Statistics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference
Credits: 4
Credits: 4

or equivalent

 ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics (HNRS 209 - Colloquium in Microeconomics may be taken in place of ECON 206)
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 ECON 375 - Introduction to Econometrics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 FIN 341 - Principles of Finance
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 FIN 440 - Investments
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 FIN 441 - Intermediate Financial Management
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
 FIN 444 - Financial Institutions and Markets
Credits: 4
Credits: 4

❑ One course from:

FIN 448 - Portfolio Analysis and Management
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
FIN 449 - Cases in Financial Management
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
FIN 455 - Equity Analysis
Credits: 4
Credits: 4

❑ One course from:

ACCT 343 - Intermediate Accounting Theory and Practice III
Credits: 4
Credits: 4
ECON 411 - Monetary Economics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4

❑ One course from:

MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Credits: 5
Credits: 5
MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors
Credits: 5
Credits: 5
MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus
Credits: 5
Credits: 5
MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics
Credits: 4
Credits: 4

or AP Calculus Exam with a score of 3 or better

 MIS 220 - Introduction to Business Computer Systems
Credits: 2
Credits: 2

or equivalent

❑ 12 credits of upper-division economics electives under departmental advisement; a minimum of 8 of these credits must be at the 400 level

❑ 8 credits of upper-division finance electives under departmental advisement; a minimum of 4 of these credits must be at the 400 level

❑ Take one Communication Focus (CF) course and a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses (WP-3 points) at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. The CF and WP courses must be taken within CBE and can be completed as part of the above required and elective courses, prior to graduation. Consult Browse Classes for the specific course sections that fulfill the CF and WP requirements.

❑ Financial Economics majors are required to take an assessment exam prior to graduation. The test is provided at no charge. Students will be informed of the time and date of the examination. The examination requirement may be waived in the case of special circumstances by the Department Chair of Economics or Finance & Marketing or by the Dean of the College of Business and Economics.

Note: ECON 309, ECON 311, ECON 446 and ECON 447 may not be counted toward this major.

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements 2024-25
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement 

Notes: