The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Economists study how society can best use scarce resources such as land, raw materials, capital, and labor. They analyze the relationships between the supply of goods and services and the demand for them, as well as how these goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed. Some economists work on public issues such as the control of inflation, business cycles, unemployment, wage, tax, and tariff policies. Economics is widely recognized as a solid background for a career in business, government, law, teaching and research.
This program is intended to prepare students for transfer into the study of Economics and incorporates the UC transfer pathway.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Lower division major preparation for transfer into Economics at UC.
- Upon completion of the program, students will: Exhibit strong academic behaviors, evidenced by their timeliness, regular attendance, participation in class activities, adherence to the College Honor Code, and awareness of their opportunities and obligations as students. Demonstrate through oral and/or written work knowledge of how society can best use scarce resources such as land, raw materials, capital, and labor. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate evidence and make compelling arguments about the relationships between the supply of goods and services and the demand for them, as well as how these goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
NOTE: This is a general transfer map that outlines courses required by most institutions. It is highly recommended that you meet with an academic counselor for educational planning, as major requirements vary by institution.
NOTE: This transfer and/or degree program utilizes Cal-GETC as the required General Education pattern. If you started college before Fall 2025, you MAY be able to use either CSU GE or IGETC. You should meet with a counselor to discuss which general education pattern is appropriate for you.
Semester 1
14 Units
An introductory course using microeconomic models to understand individual decisions by consumers and firms, market outcomes including market failure, elasticity, market structures, labor markets, inequality, and the impact of government policies. *Students may take ECON C2001 and ECON C2002 in any order or even at the same time.
- Prerequisite: Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of elementary algebra.
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
An intensive preparation for calculus. This course is intended for computer science, engineering, mathematics and natural science majors. Topics include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their inverses and identities, conic sections, sequences, series, the binomial theorem and mathematical induction.
- Prerequisite: MATH 20 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 32
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
- Prerequisite: Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process
- Area 1A. English Composition
- 1A: English Composition
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
Semester 2
15 Units
An introductory course using models of the domestic and international economy to understand national income, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, inequality, the financial system, and monetary, fiscal, and other economic policies. *Additionally, the course introduces students to the following models: Classical, Keynesian, Monetarist, and Supply Side with their corresponding policy implications and recommendations. Students may take ECON C2001 and ECON C2002 in any order or even at the same time
- Prerequisite: Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of elementary algebra.
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This first course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors. Topics include limits, continuity, and derivatives and integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions, with mathematical and physical applications.
- Prerequisite: MATH 2 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 3 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 4
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: College-level composition (ENGL C1000/ ENGL C1000H/ ENGL C1000E/C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent
- Area 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition
- 3B: Humanities
Cal-GETC Area 5C Course 4 units
Semester 3
16-17 Units
This second course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors. Topics include derivatives and integrals of transcendental functions with mathematical and physical applications, indeterminate forms and improper integrals, infinite sequences and series, and curves, including conic sections, described by parametric equations and polar coordinates.
- Prerequisite: MATH 7
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
ECON 4, 5, 6 or 8 recommended
Transferable Elective Course 3 units
Transferable Elective Course 2-3 units
Semester 4
16 Units
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines.
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
ECON 15 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 3B Course