Advising help in economics is available through group meetings, which happen once each semester before course registration time to go over common questions and guidance on major and minor requirements, course sequencing, distribution requirements, and more. Your faculty advisor provides one-on-one advising sessions to help you with:

• Course selection
• Fulfilling major requirements
• Planning for off-campus studies and internships
• Distribution and minor requirements within CAS
• Planning for off-campus studies, internships, and other opportunities
• Navigating the Four-Year Plan
• Career ideas and opportunities

If and when your advisor goes on sabbatical or other leave, you will be assigned temporarily to another faculty member until your advisor returns and resumes duties; if you are being reassigned, the department’s administrative assistant will email you to let you know who your acting advisor is. If for whatever reason you would like to change your advisor, you can contact the department chair. 

The Economics department is committed to helping students learn more about their chosen field of study and the opportunities associated with it. As nationally and internationally-known scholars with successful careers, our faculty members have a wealth of expertise to share about academic work in economics, graduate programs in economics and related disciplines, and more. We encourage you to consult your advisor or other faculty members on these issues. The department also hosts events at which students can learn about possible future paths from successful UVM graduates or visiting scholars (or in some cases, people who are both).

At UVM, the B.A. in economics is a general degree path allows for more electives. Students in the B.S. degree program take more courses in math and science--in general, B.A. degrees are theoretical, and B.S. degrees involve more practical skills. The B.A. in cconomics is rooted in theory and provides good background for students who plan to begin jobs and careers immediately after graduation. The B.S. track focuses on the science at the foundation of economics. See difference in course requirements (PDF).