In this article, the authors are the first to describe the core economics curriculum requirements for economics majors at all American colleges and universities, as opposed to a sample of institutions. Not surprisingly, principles of economics is nearly universally required and implemented as a two-semester course in 85 percent of economics major…

Survey results from a large sample of economics departments describe offerings for principles courses, coursework requirements for economics majors, and program augmentations such as capstone courses, senior seminars, and honors programs. Findings are reported for all institutions, and institutions are subdivided into six different categories…

The University of California, Berkeley sends more undergraduate students to economics PhD programs than any other public university. While this fact is surely a function of its size, there may be lessons from the Berkeley experience that others could adopt. To investigate why Berkeley generates so many economics PhD students, the author convened…

The term "Discouraged-Business-Major" (DBM) describes students who become discouraged with the rigorous standards of colleges of business and migrate to colleges of arts and sciences to complete a degree in economics under relaxed requirements (Salemi and Eubanks 1996). Following Salemi and Eubanks, the present authors examine a decade…

In this article, the authors describe the place of econometrics in undergraduate economics curricula in all American colleges and universities that offer economics majors as listed in the "U.S. News & World Report" "Best Colleges 2010" guide ("U.S. News & World Report" 2009). Data come from online catalogs, departmental Web sites, and online…

In a review of the purpose and structure of the undergraduate economics major, J. Siegfried et al. (1991) suggested that every student should be required to "do economics" and specifically recommended the development of skills through writing requirements and research-oriented courses, as in a capstone experience. The author describes results of a…

In this study, the authors update a previous study of terminal master's degree in economics programs to determine whether changes in the inputs or the desired outcomes of master's degree programs have occurred during the decade between the two studies. There are now fewer programs, and there has been a reduction in rigor in terms of degree…

Economics and business major programs were surveyed from 1980-81. Results indicate the number, general characteristics, major prerequisites, major requirements, and course offerings of standard economics programs. Results report the general characteristics, major prerequisites, and major requirements of business economics programs. (AM)

Asserts that issues of economic literacy have typically focused on the content of individual courses, teaching approaches, and the curriculum for the economics major. Describes a program offering an economics minor including curriculum requirement, student recruitment and retention, and the costs and benefits to the institution. (CFR)

Briefly examines recent trends in undergraduate economics degrees. Discovers that despite periodic cycles, the proportion of degrees awarded has remained fairly steady. Includes statistical tables detailing the number and percentage of economics baccalaureate degrees awarded by colleges and universities. Discusses possible reasons and implications…

Compares economics major programs located in liberal arts colleges with those in business schools. Includes hours, course requirements, class sizes, and student characteristics. Concludes that although the majority of economics major programs are located administratively in liberal arts colleges, location has little effect on the curriculum in…

Asserts that the number of students who major in economics is important to economics departments because college and university budgets often are affected by enrollment. Reviews the number of four-year economics degrees since 1977-78 as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. (CFR)