Main Content
The Economics and Policy Analysis (EPA) major is a good choice for students interested in learning about and developing solutions to contemporary problems in our public life.
Career Options
- Research Analyst
- Industry Analysis
- Public Utilities
- City Planning
- Public Policy Analyst
- Financial Analyst
In this major you will...
- Learn to think critically about the connection between markets and civil society and the government,
- Become engaged in critical inquiry around policies in your community,
- Develop literacy in data and data analysis, and
- Undertake hands-on projects
The major’s curriculum introduces you to some of the economic challenges facing Tacoma, South Puget Sound, Washington State and the nation.
A facility with interpreting data and data analysis also helps prepare students for careers in business, government and policy-related enterprises.
Economics and Policy Analysis Degree Requirements
Note: EPA students cannot minor in Economics.
- TECON 200 Introduction to Microeconomics or
TBECON 220 Introduction to Microeconomics Theory - TECON 201 Introduction to Macroeconomics or
TBECON 221Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory - TPHIL 251 Data and Discourse
- TMATH 116 Pre-calculus II: Trigonometry (or equivalent), OR TMATH 120 Precalculus (or equivalent)
- TWRT 211 Argument and Research in Writing
TECON 310 Research Seminar in Economics explores future employment and graduate school options, while covering essential skills and tools needed to succeed in 400-level economics courses.
Students must complete 30 credits of upper-division (300- or 400-level) TECON classes. At least 20 of these credits must be 400-level TECON classes.
- TECON 316 Current Issues in U.S. Public Policy (formerly TECON 416)
- TECON 320 Gender and Development
- TECON 321 Economics of Education (formerly TECON 420)
- TECON 325 Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy (formerly TECON 425)
- TECON 350 Law and Economics
- TECON 360 Poverty in Developing Countries
- TECON 361 Current Issues in the Chinese Economy (formerly TECON 461)
- TECON 362 China's Rise and its Global Economic Implications (formerly TECON 460)
- TECON 370 Economics and Social Mobility
- TECON 410 Economics of Public Policy
- TECON 418 Urban Problems and Policies
- TECON 421 Environmental Policy
- TECON 430 Behavioral Economics
- TECON 441 International Economics (formerly TECON 340)
- TECON 450 Labor Economics and Policy
- TECON 470 Economics of Health and Health Policy
- TECON 496 Internship in Economics and Policy Analysis
In addition to the coursework required for the major, students are required to complete general university requirements and electives, and to bring their total number of credits to 180.
Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced studies in:
- Health Care Policy
- Regional and Urban Studies
- Public Policy
- Public Administration
- Law
- International Development
Interview with Michael Price, our first graduate, who is now pursuing a Masters of Public Administration:
Graduating with Honors
The EPA major also offers an honors option. We recommend this option if your future plans include graduate school. To earn honors in your major, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and take the following three courses (with an average GPA of at least 3.0 for the three):
- TBECON 420: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- TBECON 421: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- TBECON 422: Econometrics or TMATH 410: Regression Modeling with Applications
Transfer Students
Almost all colleges offer courses that can be applied toward your Economics and Policy Analysis degree. Below you will see a list of equivalent courses at select community colleges. An advisor at your institution should be able to help you, or you may contact a UW Tacoma SIAS Academic Advisor at siasadv@uw.edu.
| Courses that will fulfill specific requirements in the EPA major | |
|---|---|
| GREEN RIVER COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
| HIGHLINE COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
| OLYMPIC COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
| PIERCE COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
| SEATTLE CENTRAL COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
| SOUTH PUGET SOUND CC COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
| TACOMA CC COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN EPA |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200 / TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
| ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201 / TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
