Many economics majors study abroad during their junior year. The College offers a number of opportunities to study for a full year in countries around the world. There are also a few select programs that provide a chance to study abroad for a single semester. (See the Study Abroad Office for details.) The Economics Department strongly encourages students to participate in the study abroad program but reminds interested students of the importance of planning ahead.

Study Abroad/Study Away Policy

The Department clarified its study away/abroad policy in January, 2007. Students may receive credit for only two economics courses taken at institutions other than Holy Cross. These courses may include economic principles, statistics, lower level electives or upper level electives as long as those courses are commensurate with our offerings and are pre-approved by the Department study abroad coordinator or Department Chair. Students must complete their intermediate theory courses at Holy Cross. Note that this policy does not apply to transfer students. Click here to read the policy.

Study Abroad Worksheet

Please download our study abroad worksheet so that you can develop a plan to go abroad and complete the Economics major. Click here to access the pdf file.

Important Reminders

• Calculus should be taken as early as possible in your Holy Cross program.
  Students must complete the equivalent of a year of calculus before they can move to the intermediate economic theory courses. If you defer calculus to your sophomore year, you will find it difficult to study abroad and complete the major.
• Ideally, ECON 255 (Microeconomics) and ECON 256 (Macroeconomics) should be taken before you go abroad.
  Taking these classes as a sophomore will enable you to more easily complete the remainder of your requirements when you return to Holy Cross senior year. If you can only complete one intermediate course before you leave, you should take ECON 255 (Microeconomics) since it will give you more options for upper level electives while you are also taking ECON 256 (Macroeconomics) as a senior.
• Economics major credit for courses abroad or away is limited to a maximum of two courses.
  Economics majors are required to complete four electives, at least three of which must be upper level (requiring ECON 255 or ECON 256 as prerequisites). We permit students studying abroad to take up to two courses (typically electives) abroad if they so desire. These courses may include statistics, lower level electives or upper level electives as long as the course is commensurate with our offerings and is pre-approved by the Department's study abroad coordinator or Chair. Please note that we do not allow students to take intermediate theory courses away from Holy Cross. If a student chooses to take additional elective courses in economics, these courses may count for College credit, but they will not advance standing as a major. If you do take extra economics courses while abroad, be careful not to exceed the maximum number of courses that may be taken in an area (see below).
  
• Summer School may provide a little flexibility, but courses are limited
  We do permit students to take ECON 249 (Statistics) in summer school as long as the course is pre-approved by us and includes a study of regression analysis. We do NOT permit students to take intermediate theory courses in summer school. Keep in mind that the maximum number of courses that may be taken for major credit at other institutions is two economics courses. .
  
• Do not exceed the College cap on the maximum number of courses that may be taken in a single department
  Students with a single major cannot exceed 14 courses taken in the economics department. Students with a double major cannot exceed 10 courses in the department. Therefore, if you take some electives abroad and also take some accounting courses, you may exceed the cap. Choose your courses carefully.

Study Abroad Advisor

• Contact Professor Kolleen Rask, Stein 504 (krask@holycross.edu) if you have any questions about studying abroad as a major

 

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