Major Declaration Checklist
We’re thrilled you’ve decided to join the Economics Department at Princeton University. Before you go through the steps to declare your major, make sure you’ve checked the following boxes.
Still have questions? Visit the Common Questions page or email the Undergraduate Program Manager, Gina Holland.
- Make sure you’ve met the ECO 100, ECO 101, ECO 202, and MAT 175 prerequisites. Visit the prerequisite page to confirm you’ve met these requirements. If you have not met one of our prerequisites, note that either ECO 100 or 101 can be replaced by pre-approved summer course. Learn more about summer course substitutions and then submit a completed application for pre-approval to the Executive Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Smita Brunnermeier. If you have a question about MAT 175 substitutions, contact MAT undergraduate placement officer, Professor Ana Menezes.
- If you plan to study abroad, make sure you’ve planned in advance. The best times to study abroad are sophomore or junior Spring semesters. Read more about why and see recommended course sequences. And don’t forget to make an appointment with the Office of International Programs to discuss your options.
- If you plan to pursue graduate studies in economics, review our graduate school preparation guidance to learn more about planning ahead. You can also make an appointment on Calendly to meet with Executive Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Smita Brunnermeier, if you wish to discuss course selection.
- Decide if you want to augment your major with the Certificate in Finance. Review the prerequisites for the Certificate in Finance. If you have unanswered questions, contact the Bendheim Center for Finance Academic Administrator, Melanie Heaney-Scott.
- Decide if you want to augment your degree with the Program in Political Economy. Review the prerequisites for the Program in Political Economy. If you have unanswered questions, contact the program representative, Professor Thomas Fujiwara.
- Review classes offered by other departments if you are interested in taking a cognate. Some classes offered by other departments are pre-approved to count toward your major requirements. Others will require additional review and approval. Review the cognate rules and a list of pre-approved courses. If you want to request approval of a course that’s not on the pre-approved list, fill out the cognate approval form and email it to the Undergraduate Program Manager, Gina Holland.
- Review the process for declaring an Economics major. Read details on the 3-step process for declaring an Economics major, and don’t forget that juniors must complete ECO 302/312 by the end of junior Fall term and ECO 300/310 and ECO 301/311 by end of junior Spring term. Also note that students should keep either the Monday or Wednesday 3:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. time slot free for Junior Independent Work (JIW) meetings in the Fall.