Economics Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer Degree (AA-T)

PROGRAM CODE: 1A35301
Financial Aid Eligible

The Economics Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) is designed to provide an opportunity for the economics major to achieve an Associate in Arts in Economics (AA-T in economics) which completes the first and second year requirements for transfer to a four-year public California institution. This degree is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the two major fields of economics in order to give them the background knowledge needed by undergraduate economics majors. The coursework emphasizes the practical applications of economics and knowledge in a diversity of careers and the utility of economics perspectives as a life-long learning tool for interpreting world economic events. Students successfully completing the AA-T in Economics will acquire a fundamental knowledge base of economics, learn basic knowledge and possess a basic understanding of areas that have an interdisciplinary association to Economics. This degree will provide students with an introduction to the field and its applied areas. While at least a baccalaureate degree is recommended, preparation for those seeking professional careers, completion of this degree is excellent general preparation for careers in academic and applied economics, research institutes, financial institutions, education, international economic systems, corporations, government, journalism and technical writing, non-profit organizations, and many other careers. It gives students a solid basis for many career paths and can be enhanced with multidisciplinary study in related fields. This curriculum specifically prepares the prospective transfer student for upper division coursework in Economics or a similar major at a California State University (CSU) campus. At the baccalaureate level students can continue an education in various areas of Economics including Comparative Economic Systems, Environmental Economics, American Economic History, International Economics, Economic Geography, and many more. Graduate study is important in Economics. Those holding a Master’s or Doctoral degree may find employment in college and university teaching and other educational institutions. Those without a graduate degree will find limited career opportunity in direct areas of Economics. Students should consult a counselor, the Transfer Center and the catalog of the transfer-college or university to plan a specific program of study to meet the college or university’s requirements. Note: Courses that fulfill major requirements for an Associate Degree for Transfer at Cypress College might not be the same as those required for completing the major at all transfer institutions offering a Baccalaureate Degree. The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, now codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to a California State University (CSU) campus for any community college student who completes an "associate degree for transfer", a newly established variation of the associate degrees traditionally offered at a California community college. Students completing the AA-T are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept the AA-T will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree (unless the major is designated "high-unit" major). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. To earn an AA-T in Economics students must complete: 1) a minimum of 20-24 semester or 30-36 quarter units in the Economics major with a grade of C or better; AP(Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for a course in the major only if the P is defined to be equivalent to a C or better (2)California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements; (3) completion of 60 semester of CSU transferable coursework; and (4) have an overall GPA of 2.0.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Outcome 1: Acquire knowledge and workforce preparation skills in both private and professional life, have a solid foundation to transfer to a four-year institution, if that is the goal.

Outcome 2: Including understanding the economics of healthcare; the market system; firms, the stock market, and corporate governance; the different market structures; the market forces, such as supply and demand; money, banking, and the Federal Reserve System; unemployment and inflation; fiscal and monetary policies; economic growth, the financial system, and business cycle; international trade and the exchange rate system.

Outcome 3: Necessary for employment in legislative offices, financial institutions, legal offices, and hospitals, For a career in banking, entrepreneurship, business partnership, policy-making, and finance.

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