Financial Economics, BA

• Combined major offered by the departments of Economics and of Finance, College of Business and Economics

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.

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.

Student Resources

Department website: Economics and Finance and Marketing

Contact information: 

• Economics: Diane Brearley, Department Manager, Parks Hall 315, 360-650-3910, Diane.Brearley@wwu.edu or Econ@wwu.edu
• Finance and Marketing: Molly Baumann, Parks Hall 415, 360-650-2578, Molly.Baumann@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: Actuary, Financial Planner/Analyst, Government, Investment Banker, Budget Analyst, Banking Securities, Financial Economist, Business Forecaster

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 Finance Department in Parks 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 2.50 in all WWU coursework.
  • CBE students whose GPA falls below 2.50 will receive a CBE academic warning and have one quarter to raise their GPA to 2.50 or higher.
  • CBE students whose cumulative WWU GPA remains below 2.50 for two or more consecutive quarters will be dropped from CBE and will not be readmitted into CBE until their cumulative WWU GPA is 2.50 or higher.
• CBE students whose GPA falls below 2.0 will be dismissed immediately from CBE and will not be permitted to register for CBE courses until their cumulative WWU GPA is 2.50 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.

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.