Off-Campus Study Guidelines

Many study away programs offer courses that will count toward the economics major.

Approval Before Leaving

The opportunity to study in another country or a different U.S. institution is an enriching experience, and one that students are encouraged to consider. At the same time, the choice to take classes elsewhere requires students to plan their course of study well in advance of their departure, to ensure that they satisfy the requirements for the Bowdoin Economics major or minor in a timely manner.

Students who desire credit for an economics course(s) taken away must obtain written approval from the Chair or their economics’ advisor prior to leaving Bowdoin.

Students are expected to take the three intermediate core courses, Microeconomics (Econ2555), Macroeconomics (Econ 2556), and Economic Statistics (Econ 2557) at Bowdoin, and are urged to have completed these requirements before their senior year. Students who intend to study away are strongly advised to take Microeconomics (Econ 2555) and Macroeconomics (Econ 2556) before they leave. 

Transfer credit is generally given for a 2000-level economics elective. Approval may also, in certain instances, be granted for a 3000-level non-seminar elective. Please note that 2000-level electives have Principles of Microeconomics (the equivalent of Econ 1101 or Econ 1050) and/or Principles of Macroeconomics (Econ 1102) as prerequisites and conduct their analysis at that level. A 3000-level elective must include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and/or Introductory Econometrics as prerequisites and use these intermediate theory tools in the coursework analysis. 

Credits

A maximum of two credits will be granted for elective courses taken in approved study-away programs. As stated above, students are expected to take the three intermediate core courses, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Economic Statistics at Bowdoin.

In rare cases, credit for Microeconomics or Macroeconomics (Econ 2555 and Econ 2556) may be granted for courses taken at another institution that use a calculus-based approach. Students must get approval before taking the course. Accounting, business management, marketing, and other business-related courses are not eligible for credit.

Office of Off-Campus Study
Two Credits
Maximum amount for courses taken elsewhere that can be counted towards the major