2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/minors/economics/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/
for the Undergraduate Minor in Economics
The Minor in Economics is designed to provide students with an understanding of central issues and analytical concepts in economics, including consumer choice, profit-maximization, banking and finance, healthcare, education, fiscal and monetary policy, abstract economic modeling, and data analysis for economics. It is customizable to students’ interests based on its three track options: Microeconomics, which explores how people and firms consume and produce goods and services; Macroeconomics, which explores countries’ economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy, and international trade; or Econometrics, encompassing mathematical models of economic behavior and quantitative methods. All University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduate students are eligible to earn the Minor in Economics except for those enrolled in one of these majors: Economics BALAS, Econometrics & Quantitative Economics BSLAS, or Computer Science + Economics BSLAS. Prerequisites for each track of the minor vary; please consult the desired minor track for additional information.
Prerequisite to applying for the Economics Minor:
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics tracks:
- MATH 220-Calculus or MATH 221- Calculus I with a grade of C or higher. MATH 234 can substitute for MATH 220 or MATH 221, with a grade of C or higher. Discuss your intended plan with the Department of Economics Advising Office to ensure MATH 234 will prepare you for advanced Economics coursework.
- ECON 102 and ECON 202 with a 2.33 or higher Illinois Economics GPA. At least one ECON course must be taken on campus (please see an Economics Academic Advisor if you have completed these courses off-campus or have other credit).
Econometrics track:
- MATH 220-Calculus or MATH 221- Calculus I with a grade of C or higher.
- MATH 225 with a grade of C or higher. (Recommended prior to application, but not required)
- ECON 102, ECON 202 and ECON 203 with a 2.33 or higher Illinois Economics GPA. At least one ECON course must be taken on campus (please see an Economics Academic Advisor if you have completed these courses off-campus or have other credit).
for the Undergraduate Minor in Economics
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Core Economics Requirements | | | | ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 | | ECON 202 | Economic Statistics I | 3 | | ECON 203 | Economic Statistics II | 3 | | ECON 302 | Inter Microeconomic Theory | 3 | | Students will select one of the following tracks: | | | | Microeconomics Track | | 6 | | Two 400-level elective courses in Microeconomics: | | | | ECON 411 | Public Sector Economics | | | ECON 414 | Urban Economics | | | ECON 440 | Economics of Labor Markets | | | ECON 450 | Development Economics | | | ECON 451 | Program Evaluation in Developing Economies | | | ECON 452 | The Latin American Economies | | | ECON 480 | Industrial Comp and Monopoly | | | ECON 481 | Govt Reg of Economic Activity | | | ECON 483 | Econ of Innovation and Tech | | | ECON 482 | Economics of the Digital Economy | | | ECON 484 | Law and Economics | | | ECON 490 | Topics in Economics | | | Macroeconomics Track | | 9 | | ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | | | ECON 303 | Inter Macroeconomic Theory | | | One 400-level elective course in Macroeconomics: | | | | ECON 420 | International Economics | | | ECON 425 | Macroeconomic Policy | | | ECON 452 | The Latin American Economies | | | ECON 490 | Topics in Economics (Including: Monetary Policy, Economic Growth)) | | | Econometrics Track | | 9 | | ECON 471 | Intro to Applied Econometrics | | | Two 400-level elective courses in Econometrics: | | | | ECON 465 | | | | ECON 490 | Topics in Economics (Including: Financial Econometrics, Economic Forecasting, Topics in Econometrics, Numerical Methods for Economics) | | | Total Hours | | 18-21 |
for the Undergraduate Minor in Economics
The Economics minor provides the knowledge, experience, and opportunities necessary for students to demonstrate their attainment of the following outcomes:
- Analytical Skills/Problem-Solving: students will effectively visualize, conceptualize, articulate, and solve complex problems or address problems that do not have a clear answer with available information, through experimentation and observation, using microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, as well as calculus and statistical tools.
- Critical Thinking: students will apply economic analysis to everyday problems, helping them to understand events, evaluate specific policy proposals, compare arguments with different conclusions to a specific issue or problem, and assess the role played by assumptions in arguments that reach different conclusions to a specific economic or policy problem.
- Quantitative Reasoning: students will understand how to apply empirical evidence to economic arguments. Specifically, they may obtain and/or collect relevant data, develop empirical evidence using appropriate statistical techniques, and interpret the results of such analyses.
- Specialized Knowledge and Practical Application: students will develop deeper analytical, critical, and quantitative skills in specialized areas by applying economic concepts to real world situations.
- Communication and Leadership: students will build skills to work as part of a team and lead others, ensuring they are prepared to navigate diverse audiences and situations.
for the Undergraduate Minor in Economics
Department of Economics
Economics Minor Website\ Economics Advising\ Advising email: econug@illinois.edu
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Declaring a minor in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences page
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences