Concentrating in Economics

Listed below are the basic requirements for an Economics concentration and additional requirements for honors.  The Economics Concentrator Guide, FAQs, and Honors page contain more details and useful information.  For info on College requirements, please see the Harvard Handbook for Students.

For Spring 2020, all courses were graded on an “Emergency Satisfactory/Emergency Unsatisfactory” or “SEM/UEM” basis. All "SEM" grades for required economics courses taken in Spring 2020 will be accepted for Economics concentration and secondary field credit. If you have questions, please stop by our Ec Advising Office Hours.  
 

Basic Requirements for All Concentrators

The Basic Track consists of 11 courses.*

  • MATH 1A (Introductory Calculus)
    • This requirement applies to the Fall 2010 entering class onwards.
    • Can be satisfied by placing into MATH 1B or higher on the Harvard Math Placement Exam or by scoring 5 on the AP Calculus exam and have the score reported to Harvard (AB or BC).  Students who place out of Math 1A do not need to replace this with another course.
    • Math MA+MB is equivalent to Math 1A.  Math QA+QB also satistifies the Math 1A requirement.
  • EC 10A and EC 10B (Principles of Micro and Macro)
    • Students who score 5 on the microeconomics (EC 10A) and/or macroeconomics (EC 10B) AP exams or equivalent can choose to skip the relevant semester of EC 10.
    • Concentrators who skip EC 10A and/or EC 10B must replace each course with an additional economics elective.
  • ECON 20, STAT 100, STAT 102, STAT 104, STAT 109/109a, STAT 110, APMTH 101, MATH 18b/19b, or MATH 154 (Statistics)
    • Only one of the above courses can count towards a student's Economics concentration requirements.
    • If you have taken an alternate stats class that you feel has given you sufficient preparation in introductory statistics, please inquire with the Economic Advising Team.
  • ECON 1010A/1011A and ECON 1010B/1011B (Intermediate Micro and Macro Theory)
    • Concentrators must receive a B- or higher in both ECON 1010A/1011A and ECON 1010B/1011B.
    • Concentrators who do not receive a B- or higher in each course can retake the relevant intermediate theory course for zero credits or an approved economics course with sufficient economic theory content, and must earn a letter grade of B- or better. Please talk with an ec advisor for details.
  • ECON 970 (Sophomore Tutorial; can be taken as a junior)
    • Must complete Stats requirement and ECON 1010A/1011A before taking ECON 970
  • ECON 1123 or 1126 (Econometrics)
    • Must complete Stats requirement before taking ECON 1123 or 1126

None of the above may be taken Pass/Fail by ec concentrators. If you took one of the above courses Pass/Fail before becoming an ec concentrator, please speak with an Ec Advisor.

  • Three additional economics courses (listed here)
    • One course must have a writing requirement.
    • One course must have intermediate theory (ECON 1010 or ECON 1011) as a prerequisite.
    • A course may satisfy both a writing requirement and a theory prerequisite requirement; however, a total of three economics courses must still be taken.
    • For approved two-credit ec electives: two courses must be taken to count as one ec elective.  To count for the theory prerequisite requirement, both two-credit courses must be theory prerequisite courses.  The ec writing requirement can be met with one ec-writing-approved course.
    • Up to two electives (except those used for the writing requirement) can be taken P/F with the professor's permission.
       
  • In making honors recommendations, the Department also takes into account the strength of a student’s program (e.g., ECON 1011A/B vs. 1010A/B, Statistics 110 vs. 104 or 100).
  • Starting Fall 2025, economics concentrators can no longer use ECON 980 as a substitute for ECON 970. Previously, this was allowed in extenuating circumstances with advisor permission.

Additional Requirements for Honors Eligibility

Pursuing honors in the Economics concentration is optional. Concentrators can be eligible for honors through the Thesis Track or the Advanced Course Track. Both honors tracks consist of 15 courses.*  The Honors math requirements and ECON 985 may not be taken pass/fail.

  • Thesis Track (eligible for summa, magna, or cum degree in Economics) requirements:
    • MATH 1B and multivariable calculus (one of MATH 18A, MATH 21A, APMTH 21A, or higher-level calculus course). Students who choose to skip Math 1B do not need to replace it with an additional course.*
    • Two semesters of ECON 985
    • Successful completion of a Senior Thesis
    • The honors exam
  • Advanced Course Track (eligible for cum degree in Economics) requirements:
    • MATH 1B and multivariable calculus (one of MATH 18A, MATH 21A, APMTH 21A, or higher-level calculus course). Students who choose to skip Math 1B do not need to replace it with an additional course.*
    • Two additional courses, including one with a writing requirement and one with intermediate theory as a prerequisite
    • The honors exam

*Students who place out of Math 1A or Math 1B on the Harvard Math Placement Exam do not need to replace it with another course. To place out of Math 1A via AP scores, the score must be reported to Harvard. There is no placing out of MATH 18A/MATH 21A/APMTH 21A.