Economics
Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) Economics · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Students graduating with an Associate in Arts in Economics for Transfer Degree are well positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Economics AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.
The Associate Arts in Economics for Transfer (AA-T) focuses on fundamental principles and models in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. In Microeconomics, students examine the nature of optimal producer and consumer decisions, the structure of markets, and the application of optimal decision making to classic problems in microeconomics. This may include tax incidence, market failures, international trade, price controls, and market efficiency. In Macroeconomics, students examine economic concepts and principles as applied to markets, national income, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy, banking, the Federal Reserve System, and international economics. Additionally, students who choose the Associate in Arts in Economics for Transfer (AA-T) degree become literate in the language of economics: calculus and statistics. Crucial concepts of differentiation, integration, optimization, probability, and statistical inference are learned. These mathematical tools serve as the foundation for upper division economic analysis.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
- Explain the concepts of scarcity, opportunity cost, rational behavior, and economic efficiency.
- Use economic models to evaluate situations in the micro and macro economy, to evaluate government policies, and to explain the responses of consumers and producers to changes in market conditions.
- Develop the foundational skills in quantitative and computing methods to be eligible for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools with similar degrees.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements
The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:
- Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
- Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
- Certified completion of the Cal-GETC/Breadth.
- A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| orECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| orECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| MATH A140 | Business Calculus | 5 |
| orMATH A180 | Calculus 1 | |
| orMATH A180H | Calculus 1 Honors | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| orPSYC A160 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| List A - Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| ACCT A101 | Financial Accounting | |
| orACCT A101H | Financial Accounting Honors | |
| ACCT A102 | Managerial Accounting | |
| orACCT A102H | Managerial Accounting Honors | |
| BUS A139 | Business Communication | |
| CIS A111 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems | |
| orCIS A111H | Introduction to Computer Information Systems Honors | |
| List B - Select one course not taken from List A or one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| ECON A100 | Economics: General Concepts | |
| ECON A110 | Economics of Consumer Finance | |
| Total Major Units | 21-23 | |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) | up to 34 | |
| Transferable elective as needed to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Degree Units | 60 | |
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
Program Sequence - Cal-GETC
Program Sequence - Cal-GETC
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| ECON C2001or ECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomicsor Principles of Microeconomics - Honors |
| ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) | 3 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| ECON C2002or ECON C2002H |
| STAT C1000or PSYC A160 |
| ADT LIST A COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE |
| Summer |
|---|
| MATH A115or MATH A170 |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| MATH A140or MATH A180or MATH A180H |
| HIST C1001or HIST C1001Hor HIST C1002or HIST C1002H |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1B CHOOSE ONE |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 5A (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 3 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| ECON C2002or ECON C2002H |
| POLS C1000or POLS C1000H |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 5B (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 6- CHOOSE ONE |
| ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 4 |
- Take only if needed as a pre-requisite to Math A140 or Math A180. Otherwise take UC/CSU Elective units
- American Institutions Requirement - Cal-GETC GE AREA 3B and CSU Graduation Requirement and AAT List C OR take another course from Cal-GETC GE AREA 3B - See Requirements Tab
- Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B
- VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS. Not all courses are UC transferable. Please check with your counselor to ensure you have enough transferable units for your transfer goal.
- American Institutions Requirement - Cal-GETC GE AREA 4 and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from Cal-GETC GE AREA 4