Economics/Political Science, BA

• Combined major offered by the Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics and the Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Introduction

The study of Economics provides insights into decision-making, market outcomes and the functioning of the overall economy. Political Science is concerned with the structure and function of both domestic and international political systems, and engaging questions associated with American politics, international politics, public policy and political theory. The combined Economics / Political Science major provides students with rigorous preparation in both economic theory and applications, and political processes at the national and international levels. By combining coursework in Economics and Political Science, students gain an interdisciplinary perspective important to understanding both political and economic issues. Students are trained in research methods used in Economics and Political Science, giving them interdisciplinary tools for problem solving and policy making. Students in this program will gain insight into a variety of areas including trade, monetary systems, development, and the interplay between politics and economics within the U.S. and the international system.

Why Consider an Economics/Political Science Major?

The curriculum prepares students for careers in public service-related occupations in both government and business. Many students majoring in Economics/Political Science go on to law school, graduate school and into the professions. By combining coursework in both Economics and Political Science, students gain an important interdisciplinary perspective to important political and economic issues.

Student Resources

Department website: Economics and Political Science

Contact information: 

• Economics: Diane Brearley, Department Manager, Parks Hall 315, 360-650-3910, Diane.Brearley@wwu.edu or Econ@wwu.edu
• Political Science: Jessie Tanksley, AH 415, 360-650-3469, politicalscience@wwu.edu

Department advising: See the pre-major advising section of the College of Business and Economics website.

Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

Sample careers: Attorney, Financial Planner/Analyst, Law School, Politician, Economist, Banking, Real Estate, Entrepreneur, Campaign Worker, Insurance, Government Consultant

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students planning to major in Economics/Political Science 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/Political Science 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 and submit the online application form.

Students interested in Economics Major Programs, please see the Economics Department in Parks Hall 315 for information.

Political Science Department: Students are eligible to declare a political science major and any majors combined with political science if they have completed any two of the following core courses: PLSC 250, 261, 271, 291, or an equivalent course(s) at another college or university. Due to high student demand and limited capacity, immediate access to specific courses cannot be guaranteed. Students who have no political science transfer credits: go to the Political Science department office, 415 Arntzen Hall, with an unofficial WWU transcript showing the two completed courses from the list above. Students with political science transfer credits from another institution: call 360-650-3469 to make an appointment to have credits reviewed, then visit the department office with the required documents as outlined above.

Study Abroad Transfer Credit

The Economics Department and the Political Science Department encourage students to participate in study abroad opportunities that further their academic studies.  Up to twelve (12) credits of approved study abroad coursework can be applied to the major requirements. Students can distribute those credits across both/either the Economics requirements or the Political Science requirements up to a total of 12 study abroad transfer credits.

Credit will not be awarded until Western has accepted the credits from the foreign institution. At that point, we will evaluate your study abroad coursework when you provide the following documents to both departments:

• Transcript from the foreign institution showing completed coursework, a minimum grade of C– is required.
• Syllabi/course descriptions of the classes completed or if a syllabus is not available then your work product (papers, tests & readings) from the class.

As a combined major, students are required to get approval from both departments for study abroad transfer credit. Please note that the amount of credit awarded towards the major is at the discretion of the Political Science and Economics departments, after review of the course materials, and may differ from credits awarded by the WWU Registrar.

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.