Contact Information
What is the best way to contact an undergraduate counselor in the UCLA Department of Economics?
We encourage current students to contact us via the MyUCLA Message Center for quick and general questions requiring short answers. Sign in by using your UCLA Logon, click on “Message Center” in the top right corner, then submit your question to the Academic Counseling Unit called “Economics.”
Please note that the counselors do not check messages during non-business hours, including on the weekends or on university holidays. During busy periods such as enrollment times, before sending a follow-up request, please know that it may take the counselors extra time to respond to your message. In the meantime, you can attend drop-in hours or schedule an appointment. For further contact information, click here.
What are the office hours for the Economics Undergraduate Counseling Office? Where is the office located?
Our office hours are 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday, unless otherwise noted on our Contact Us page.
We are located in 2263 Bunche Hall, however, at this time, the counselors are not meeting with students in-person.
How do CURRENT STUDENTS meet with one of the Economics Undergraduate Counselors?
The Economics undergraduate academic counselors are available to meet with students remotely through Virtual Drop-In via Zoom on select days and Appointments via Zoom. Appointments are limited to 15 minutes in length.
The undergraduate counselors are busiest during the first two to three weeks of every quarter and during enrollment times.
For additional information, please visit our Contact Us page.
I need to meet with a College counselor to discuss a four year plan, my GE requirements, and my university requirements. Where can I find the contact information for the College and School Advising Offices?
The contact information for the College and School Counselors can be accessed here.
How do I get information on Economics and Management courses offered each quarter, the Business Economics Application, scholarships, events, and updates on department rules and requirements?
For Departmental Announcements, and to receive updates on the Business Economics major application, subscribe to Econ-Alert by adding yourself to the Undergraduate Economics Counseling Bruin Learn website.
For internships or any career-related information, please click here.
You may also wish to contact the UCLA Career Center.
How do I locate one of my professors?
Go to our faculty directory link to get their email addresses and office locations.
When needing academic advice, how do I know which counselor to meet with?
Counselors in the College help students with their college and university requirements, general education requirements, credit transfers, planning for a double major, degree checks, and enrollment rules.
If you have questions related to a major or minor, you should speak with a counselor in that major/minor department.
For information about the different College and School Advising Offices at UCLA, please visit the website below:
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Academics/Academic-Counseling
Where can I find a tutor for my Economics courses?
This information can be accessed here.
The names found on this website are Ph.D. students in the UCLA Department of Economics who are willing to tutor undergraduates. Each tutor sets his or her own hourly rate for tutoring so there will be variation in the cost. Please note that graduate students cannot tutor for the course for which they are currently serving as a Teaching Assistant.
Major Requirements
What courses do I need to complete for the Economics major?
You can find information about the Economics major requirements here: https://economics.ucla.edu/undergraduate/current-students/majors-and-minors/economics
What courses do I need to complete for the Business Economics major?
You can find information about the Business Economics major requirements here: https://economics.ucla.edu/undergraduate/current-students/majors-and-minors/business-economics
How do I declare Pre-Economics or Pre-Business Economics?
As long as you are in good academic standing, have sufficient grades in each pre-major course, and show that you can complete our pre-major within 135 units (excluding AP/IB/pre-UCLA units), you can request to declare our pre-major here.
Only students that enter UCLA as first years may declare the Pre-Economics or Pre-Business Economics majors.
Transfer students cannot declare the Pre-Economics or Pre-Business Economics majors if they were admitted to UCLA as a NON-Economics major. Transfer students also cannot add one of our majors as a double major.
We do not change any major or pre-major statuses after Friday of Week 9 of each quarter. At that point, you will be asked to resubmit your request in the following quarter once all of your grades in the current quarter have been processed and posted to your Degree Audit Report. We recommend waiting until Week 3 or Week 4 to declare the pre-major, as the undergraduate counseling office is typically very busy during the first two weeks of each quarter.
How can I add Pre Economics or Pre Business Economics to my record and remain in my current major?
Please complete the Pre-Major Request Form through MyUCLA.
When do I need to declare the major?
First year admit students must complete the pre-major within 135 units, excluding AP units, IB units, or other units earned prior to entering UCLA. Once the pre-major is complete, you must apply for the major.
Transfer students must declare the major no later than after completing three regular quarters at UCLA (which is typically Fall, Winter, and Spring). These students’ third quarter grades must appear on their Degree Audit Report before they can declare the major. Once the pre-major is complete, you must apply for the major.
How do I get into (declare) the Economics major?
You must have successfully completed the pre-major and all of your pre-major grades must be posted to your Degree Audit Report before applying. A minimum 2.5 pre-major GPA is required, excluding the WII course, and a “C” or better in each course is needed to qualify.
Please complete the Economics Major Request Form. Please note that we will not process change of major requests during Week 10 or Finals Week of any given term.
First year admit students must complete the pre-major within 135 units, excluding AP units, IB units, or other units earned prior to entering UCLA.
Transfer students must declare the major no later than after completing three regular quarters at UCLA (which is typically Fall, Winter, and Spring). These students’ third quarter grades must appear on their Degree Audit Report before they can declare the major.
How do I get into (apply for) the Business Economics major?
Applications for the Business Economics major are available via the Econ-Alert, the Undergraduate Economics Counseling Bruin Learn website and are accepted during the first three weeks of each quarter.
Please click here for eligibility criteria and requirements for admission into the Business Economics major.
What if I don’t qualify for the Business Economics major?
If you have not met the requirements for the Business Economics major, you may still be able to be accepted into the Economics major. Please speak with an Economics counselor to discuss this further.
Can I double major in Economics or Business Economics and Mathematics/Economics?
This is not permitted. However, if you decide to major in Economics or Business Economics, you may decide to pursue another major or a minor that meets your mathematical interests. If you decide to major in Mathematics/Economics, you may also pursue other minors. Mathematics/Economics majors should consult with a Mathematics counselor to discuss their options further.
How do I declare a double major?
In order to petition the College for a double major, you must first complete all of the pre-major course requirements for both majors, as well as two upper-division courses in each major.
The steps for petitioning a double major are explained here. When you submit the forms to an Economics counselor via the MyUCLA Message Center, the subject title of the message should be: Double Major Request.
Since you must apply for the Economics or Business Economics major on time, you will most likely need to apply to the major before you officially declare the double major. To “unofficially” declare the Economics major, please submit your Economics Major Request Form. Be sure to indicate that you are double majoring. To apply for the Business Economics major, you will need to submit an application, which can be found via Econ-Alert during the first three weeks of each quarter and Summer Session A.
I don’t meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the Economics major, but I had extenuating circumstances. What can I do?
If you experienced extenuating circumstances beyond your control that inhibited your ability to meet a particular eligibility requirement for the Economics major, you may have the option to petition. Please contact the undergraduate counseling office if you think this may apply to you.
Please note that petitions are rarely approved, and documentation may be required for consideration.
How do I read my Degree Audit Report (DAR)?
You can access your DAR from MyUCLA. If you need assistance understanding it, please meet with a counselor in your academic counseling office (AAP, CAC, Honors, etc.) or an Economics Undergraduate Counselor.
My Degree Audit Report (DAR) needs to be updated by an Economics Undergraduate Counselor. How does this take place?
Please send a request to the counselors via the MyUCLA Message Center with the subject heading: Request to Update DAR. Please be as specific as possible in your request.
Enrollment
Can I enroll in two courses that have the same meeting and/or exam times?
Students may not enroll in two courses that have the same meeting and/or exam times. Students are given a warning about the conflict in advance of them enrolling into the course to make them aware of the conflict and how this could impact them. The Economics Department does not support any adjustments be made to accommodate students who choose to enroll with a conflict.
Is there a particular order in which the Economics courses must be taken?
All pre-major courses must be completed before you can officially declare the major. Many courses also have prerequisites. Please check with the Economics undergraduate counselors and review the Course Descriptions in the UCLA Catalog for prerequisites. Please note that Economics 11, 101, and 102 must be taken in sequence. Students also must take Econ 41 before taking Econ 103/103L and must take Econ 103/103L before taking Econ 104/104L. We strongly recommend that Econ 11 and Econ 101 be taken in consecutive quarters, and similarly for the econometrics sequence, although it is not required to take them in consecutive quarters.
Can I obtain a Permission to Enroll (PTE) number for an Economics course?
No. PTE numbers are not given out for any of the undergraduate classes in the Department of Economics.
Can I start taking upper division classes for the major before I am officially accepted into the major?
Yes. You may take any Economics class as long as it is not restricted and you meet the required prerequisites, space permitting.
How do I get into a “Business Economics majors only” class?
Economics 106 courses are open to enrollment for students officially in Business Economics on First Pass. Officially declared Economics and Mathematics/Economics majors are permitted to enroll in these courses during Second Pass, space permitting.
Many upper division Management courses are restricted to students officially in Business Economics and/or the Minor in Accounting or the Minor in Entrepreneurship on First Pass. Students with at least junior standing can enroll on Second Pass, space permitting. The Department of Economics does not administer Management courses, so we do not have control over enrollment in these courses.
Summer Sessions courses are not restricted to Business Economics majors, so any students who meet the prerequisites can enroll.
Can I take an Economics 106 course for my major requirements?
Yes, Economics 106 courses can count towards the major for both Economics and Business Economics majors. Please keep in mind that these courses are initially restricted to Business Economics majors during First Pass of enrollment.
Remember that if the Economics 106 course you enroll into has a lab offered in the same term that you are enrolled in, you are required to take the lab in that same term.
Any course you want to count towards the major must be completed for a letter grade.
If I drop a class, does that count as a repeat in my pre-major?
No, a drop does not count as a repeated course. Note that students cannot drop an “Impacted” course after Friday of Week 2 except by petition and due to extenuating circumstances. Students with such a situation should meet with a counselor in their respective academic counseling office (AAP, CAC, etc.) to discuss if it is likely that a drop petition will be granted by the College.
You may repeat a course only if you earn a “C-” or lower. Please refer to the University’s repeat policy.
For the pre-major repeat policy, please refer to our Overview of Majors page.
Am I required to enroll into a lab for an Economics course if it is offered?
Yes. Any course that has an associated lab offered during the term in which you are taking it is a co-requisite of the course. You must take the course and affiliated lab together, and you need to enroll in each course individually. Economics labs are designed to give students an opportunity to explore real-world examples in relation to their course.
Do I need to take the lecture and the lab for an Economics course on the same grading basis?
Yes. If you fail to do this, you will not get credit for both the lecture and the lab.
Which courses for the two majors need to be taken for a letter grade?
All of the courses required for a student’s major (i.e., core courses and electives that count towards the major) need to be taken for a letter grade.
What is an impacted course, and which Economics courses are impacted?
An impacted course is one for which demand exceeds the number of seats available. Undergraduate students cannot drop an impacted course after Friday of Week 2. The impacted courses in Economics include 1, 2, 11, 41, 101, 102, and 103/103L. Econ 104/104L will also become an impacted course soon, so please check the Schedule of Classes to confirm. For a comprehensive list of impacted courses at UCLA, click here.
If I am interested in enrolling in a course to fulfill the course credit of an internship that I am doing, how should I proceed?
If your internship involves economic and/or financial analysis, you may consider reaching out to the undergraduate counseling office to determine your eligibility to enroll in Economics 195A. This course is worth two units, is graded on a P/NP basis, and does not apply toward the Economics or the Business Economics major. For more info, click here.
Please note that you must be officially declared in one of our majors (Economics, Business Economics, Mathematics/Economics) in order to be considered for enrollment in Economics 195A.
I would like to audit a particular course. How can I still have access to the course materials online?
Any student wishing to audit a course should contact the instructor directly. If the instructor is okay with it, then they can manually give the student guest access to the course website.
How is a student’s class level determined?
Class level is based on the number of units completed and in progress, not based on the number of years attended. Undergraduate levels, based on units, affect enrollment appointments and some course restrictions. A Freshman has completed 0-44.9 units, a Sophomore has completed 45-89.9 units, a Junior has completed 90-134.9 units, and a Senior has completed 135 or more units.
What are the undergraduate study list deadlines and fees at UCLA?
All deadlines fall on Friday of the week(s) indicated. If that Friday is a University holiday, the deadline is Thursday of that week. The list of deadlines can be found here.
I am interested in taking summer courses at UCLA. Where can I find information about this?
Transferring Courses
I am interested in studying abroad. How should I proceed?
The first thing we would suggest that you do is consult with the UCLA International Education Office about available programs.
Most EAP application deadlines are 6 – 9 months in advance of departure. Students are encouraged to meet with an EAP counselor early in their college career to plan and prepare for a summer, semester, or year abroad.
Students majoring in Economics or Business Economics that would like to receive major credit would need to consult with a Department of Economics counselor before studying abroad. For more information, click here.
If I study abroad or take courses at another university, how many Economics courses can I take?
Business Economics and Economics majors may take a total of three upper division pre-approved economics courses abroad or at another university to count towards the major. Students cannot take these courses at the same time that they are enrolled as regular students at UCLA during a regular quarter.
To ensure that the classes taken elsewhere will count toward the major, students must submit course syllabi to the undergraduate counselors for pre-approval by the faculty. Note that the Department approves courses for content only. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that each course transfers back to UCLA as a minimum of four upper division units.
How do I find out if a course I want to enroll in at a community college counts for the major?
If you want to take a lower division pre-major course at a California community college in the summer, you may use assist.org for articulation agreements to check for equivalency. You may also use the website called Transferology, which includes courses from community colleges outside of California or other four-year universities.
Please check the course(s) with a Department of Economics undergraduate counselor beforehand. Ultimately, to be accepted into the major, you will need to make sure that the course in question is posted on your UCLA Degree Audit. The counselor will verify that your grade in the class is acceptable for you to be accepted into the major (C or higher). Approved pre-major courses taken outside of UCLA will be manually calculated into your pre-major GPA for major qualification purposes.
Please note that the only pre-major courses that can be completed at a community college are the equivalents of Econ 1, Econ 2, Math 31A, Math 31B, Management 1A, and Management 1B.
I took a prerequisite course (e.g. Econ 11, 41, 101, or 102) at another university.
With the exception of Econ 1 and Econ 2, no Economics core courses may be petitioned for pre-major/major credit beginning Fall 2024. (i.e. Econ 11, 41, 101, 102, 103/103L, and 104/104L). An exception to petition may only be made for incoming transfer students who have already completed a core course at another 4-year institution before transferring to UCLA.
