Families
You play an important role in your student's education, and no doubt want to help them make the best decision about where to attend college.
Below are frequently asked questions and answers and popular topics regarding the Undergraduate Economics Program.
Which Economics Degree
Two questions that first-year students often have are: "What courses should I take as a first-year that will allow me to pursue degree in economics?" and "How do I know which of the four economics degrees offered best suits my interests, skills, and career aspirations?" First–year students are not expected to know which degree option they wish to pursue. As students become involved in their coursework, participate in the extra– and co–curricular activities sponsored by the Undergraduate Economics Program, and talk with their AAC and an economics adviser, the decision of which degree to pursue becomes evident. Because of the highly sequenced nature of the four degree programs, students are encouraged to meet with their AAC adviser and an economics adviser early in their career at CMU.
What Happens After Graduation
Graduates are employed all over the world in analytics, consulting, finance, government, management, marketing, operations, and research. Roughly one-third of each class attends graduate school in economics, business administration, computer science, engineering, languages, finance, informatics, law, medicine, mathematics, and applied statistics. For more detailed information about careers for Carnegie Mellon economics majors, please visit the careers page.
Teaching and Academics
Undergraduate economics courses are taught exclusively by faculty. Core courses have weekly recitations which are led by graduate and undergraduate students under the guidance of faculty and the undergraduate economics program staff.
Student Privacy
One of the most significant changes a parent or guardian experiences in sending a student to college is the difference in privacy standards for educational records. Carnegie Mellon values the student's right to privacy. The university adheres to a federal law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) that sets privacy standards for student educational records and requires institutions to publish a compliance statement, including a statement of related institutional policies.
In particular, parents and guardians are no longer given automatic access to their student's grade reports, transcripts, and disciplinary files. In addition to FERPA, state laws and professional ethical codes preclude the university from routinely sharing student medical information and counseling records with third parties, including parents, without the student's consent.
For more detailed information, download the university's FERPA and Privacy brochure (pdf).
Carnegie Mellon Resources
The undergraduate economics program is part of a larger institution, namely Carnegie Mellon. Our campus includes academic, research, and administrative departments. The administrative departments fall under the leadership of the Division of Student Affairs. Prospective students should consult the Office of Undergraduate Admission for information about the admission process, financial aid, visiting the campus, and campus life. These pages provide a global perspective to the university.
Below is a list of most commonly used campus services by current students. The information provided on these pages focuses on opportunities, processes and detailed information.
Academic Calendar
Academic Support and Services
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Academic Development, including academic counseling, collaborative learning groups, peer tutoring, and supplemental instruction.
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Office of International Education, including Study Abroad
Career Services
Enrollment Services
Course and Exam Schedules
Dining and Housing Services
Physical Health and Well-Being
Student Affairs
University Stores