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 or contact the departments at the address/phone above.

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):

Open majors can be declared by new and currently enrolled students in good standing without additional requirements. All students are eligible for direct admission to the major at the time of admission to the university, subject to space availability. Currently enrolled students may declare their major by completing the Student Academic Declaration & Change Form and meeting the major’s retention requirements.

Students interested in this major can visit the Economics Department in Parks Hall 315 or the Political Science Department in Arntzen Hall 415 for more information.

Retention Standards

To remain in good standing, students must meet the following academic requirements:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all WWU coursework.
  • Students whose GPA falls below 2.0 will receive a CBE academic warning and have one quarter to raise their GPA to 2.0 or higher.
  • Students whose cumulative WWU GPA remains below 2.00 for two or more consecutive quarters will be dropped from CBE and will not be readmitted into CBE until their cumulative WWU GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Transfer students admitted without a WWU GPA (i.e., no graded coursework at WWU at the time of admission) are admitted to both WWU and CBE. They must maintain the GPA retention standards described above to remain in good standing.

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 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. Political Science will accept a maximum of 10 credits of the 12 total transfer credits allowed.

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.