Department Policies

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Students may not declare any major in economics or finance until the second semester of their sophomore year. 

To declare the economics or finance major, a student must have: 

  • At least a 2.0 university cumulative average and at least a 2.0 cumulative average in ECON classes (or if majoring in FIN, in courses that count towards the FIN major) . 

  • At least a 2.0 grade in ECON 251 and/or 252, if completed. These courses must be taken at St. Lawrence University before the end of the junior year.  Students who took ECON 251 or 252 pass/fail cannot declare the major, as a "P" (pass) does not meet the 2.0 requirement. 

To declare the economics minor, a student must have: 

  • At least a 2.0 university cumulative average and at least a 2.0 cumulative average in ECON classes. 

These conditions must be maintained to continue in the major or minor.

Majors and minors:

  • Students may not double major in finance and economics. 

  • Finance majors may not double major nor minor in economics. 

  • Students majoring in BUSLA may not minor in economics. 

Other policies:

  • The maximum number of economics classes that count towards the economics major is 12.

  • The maximum number of courses that count towards the finance major is 14. 

  • FIN courses may count as economics electives at the appropriate level.   
  • First year students may not take ECON 251 or ECON 252.
  • Sophomores may not take any 300 level economics electives. 
  • ECON 251 and ECON 252 should not be taken in the same semester and both courses should be completed by the end of the junior year. Seniors may not take ECON 251 or ECON 252 without departmental permission. 
  • A student who completes STAT 213 with a grade of 2.0 or higher may substitute an ECON or FIN elective at the 200 or higher level for ECON 200. 
  • Students must have a 3.0 average in ECON and FIN classes to enroll in a one-unit independent study course (ECON 289, 290, 389, 390, 489, 490). 
  • ACCT 203 & 204 do not count toward the economics major or minor. 
  • No more than one independent project or one off-campus economics or finance course may count toward the minimum number of economics or finance units required for the major. 
    • For transfer credit, a 200-level ECON elective must have a prerequisite of ECON 100; a 300-level ECON elective must have a prerequisite of ECON 251 or 252. 
  • Department honors are awarded to a student who has, upon graduation, at least a 3.5 average in economics courses and has successfully completed an honors thesis. Students who expect to pursue an honors project should consult with the department chair in the last semester of the junior year.  Prospective honors students should also take ECON 342 (Econometrics) during their junior year. Combined majors with economics may require consultation with both departments.