Many
economics majors spend a semester working as an intern
in a Washington DC government agency or private organization
in either the junior or senior year. Washington Semester
Program participants also take a public policy course
and write a thesis. (See
the Washington Semester Program Office for details.)
Participation in the
Program counts as one semester's worth of credit (four
units) towards graduation. However,
credit towards economics major requirements
is not granted for any of the elements of the Washington
Semester Program.
The Economics Department strongly encourages students
to participate in the Washington Semester Program but
reminds interested students of the importance of planning
ahead. This page is designed to help you plan ahead
to have a successful semester in Washington and still
complete the major requirements.
Course
Planning
-
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 may find it difficult to
attend the Washington Semester Program and complete
the major.
- Ideally,
ECON 255 (Microeconomics) and/or ECON 256 (Macroeconomics)
should be taken before you go to Washington.
Taking these classes as a sophomore or junior will
enable you to more easily complete the remainder of
your requirements when you return to Holy Cross. 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)
when you return.
- 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 or upper level electives in summer school.
These courses must be completed at Holy Cross.
