Major Requirements
To graduate with an Economics degree, students must complete on a graded basis three core courses, five departmental electives, and two major pieces of independent research. Students must also pass a senior comprehensive exam.
Core courses, departmental electives, and cognates
Economics majors must complete, on a graded basis, the core courses: Intermediate Microeconomics (ECO 300/310), Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECO 301/311), and Econometrics (ECO 302/312) before the end of the junior year. In the rare case that an intermediate level core course (ECO 310 or ECO 311) is used to satisfy a departmental entry pre-requisite in lieu of the corresponding introductory level course (ECO 100 or ECO 101), that core course should be completed before the end of the sophomore year with a grade of C or better. In addition, majors must pass, on a graded basis, five other departmental elective courses. Departmental electives can be any 300-, 400-, or 500-level Economics courses.
Note: With the exception of courses taken in Spring 2020, all courses and independent work that are undertaken to satisfy an ECO departmental requirement must be completed on a graded basis.
Economics majors are allowed to count a maximum of two courses from other departments as cognates (i.e. courses that replace one of their five departmental electives) toward their major requirements. Some courses are automatically approved as cognates. If you would like the department to consider approving a course that is not on the list of pre-approved cognates, please fill out and submit the cognate approval form.
To see all ECO courses offered this semester, visit the Registrar’s Office.
Junior and Senior Independent Work
As part of their undergraduate coursework at Princeton, all Economics majors work with faculty advisors to work on two, year-long research projects: A Junior Paper and a Senior Thesis. Through these projects, students are able to research topics they’re passionate about.
Senior Comprehensive Exam
The senior comprehensive examination is a written exam administered at the end of the senior year. It covers the department’s core courses (Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and Econometrics). The exam represents five percent of the Departmental GPA and the grade will appear on the student’s transcript.
Questions about the exam should be directed to Gina Holland.
Grades and other requirements
Economics majors must complete their core courses and Junior Independent Work with an average grade of C or better by the end of their junior year to advance to senior standing.