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Outside Opportunities:

Cornell offers a number of opportunities for enriching the Econ major, by venturing outside the major, the Arts College, or the University itself.

Double Majors
Interdisciplinary Study
Study Abroad
Cornell in Washington
Internships

Double Majors and Dual Degrees
About 15 percent of all Economics majors complete a second major, or second and third majors, in addition to Economics. The most popular combinations are Economics/Government and Economics/Math; however, any combination of majors is possible, provided both are within the College of Arts and Sciences and the student's schedule permits completing all requirements for both majors. In some cases, courses may be "double-counted," with a single course applied to two (or more) majors.

A dual-degree program differs from a double major in that the student completing a dual-degree graduates with two Baccalaureate degrees, from two different schools at Cornell. Because the dual-degree program entails completing all requirements in both Schools, an extra year of study may be required. The most common dual-degree, among Economics majors, is Economics/Engineering. For further information concerning dual degrees, visit the Arts College Advising Office, 172 Goldwin Smith.

An Econ major working toward a second major within the Arts College or toward a dual degree has an advisor in Economics and an advisor in his or her other major. The second major or degree has no effect upon the major requirements in Economics.

Interdisciplinary Study
Many Econ majors complete interdisciplinary "concentrations" offered outside the Economics Department. A concentration, as compared to a second major, generally requires less additional coursework and offers greater flexibility. Concentrations are available in, for example, International Relations, Asian Studies, and Law and Society. In most cases, one or more Economics courses will count toward both the major and the concentration. For further information on concentrations, visit the Arts College Advising Office, 172 Goldwin Smith.

Study Abroad
Each year Cornell undergraduates study in about 40 countries, earning credit toward their Cornell degrees. Econ majors completing one semester abroad may apply up to 2 courses (8 credits) toward the major; those completing an academic year abroad may apply up to 3 courses (12 credits). Among Econ majors, the most popular destinations abroad are the London School, Oxford, and Cambridge; however, students have attended many other institutions, successfully transferring Econ credits.

Economics courses completed through Cornell Abroad are evaluated according to the following criteria: prerequisites; teaching materials and course requirements; and comparability to Cornell courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels, in analytical depth and rigor. Comparability does not require similarity of subject matter; indeed, we encourage students to elect courses of special interest in their host countries -- perhaps the economics of transition in Eastern Europe, or the economics of the EU in Western Europe. To ensure transfer of credit, a student considering study abroad can have specific courses pre-approved, by providing his or her advisor, or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, with course descriptions. For further information concerning study abroad, visit Cornell Abroad at 300 Caldwell Hall. For advice concerning Economics programs, see Assistant Dean Patricia Wasyliw, in 55 Goldwin Smith.

Cornell in Washington
Each semester about fifty Cornell undergraduates go to Washington, D.C., for an "out of Ithaca" experience. That experience includes working as an intern and getting to know one of the world's most interesting cities, in addition to taking classes. Internships are an important part of the program. For example, in past years students have worked with:
       The Federal Reserve Board
       Department of the Treasury, Office of Economic Policy
       The Brookings Institution
       The Security and Exchange Commission
       UBS Financial Services.
Of course, many of these positions are especially well suited to economics majors. Cornell in Washington also offers courses of interest to Economics majors, some of which can be counted toward the major. For more information go to the Cornell in Washington website (www.ciw.cornell.edu) or send an email to (ciwinfo@cornell.edu).

Internships
The Department does not place students in internships or grant credit for internships. Major advisors will, however, provide letters of recommendation or otherwise assist students in completing applications for internships. And, although a student cannot earn credit for an internship itself, in some cases it may be possible to design an independent research project that builds upon the internship experience. A project of this sort might qualify for academic credit in Econ 4980 (Independent Study in Economics). For more information concerning internships, visit the Arts College Advising Office, 172 Goldwin Smith.