Associate of Arts in Economics

Two years. 60 credits. Doors open across BC.

Program Highlights

Start Here. Transfer Anywhere.

A recognized two-year credential and 60 transferable credits, ready for Economics, Business, Finance, or Policy programs across BC.

Rigorous, Interdisciplinary, and Quantitative

Mathematics, statistics, calculus, political economy, and critical reasoning combined into one integrated curriculum built for advanced study.

Interdisciplinary and Broad-Based

A curriculum designed to build both analytical depth and broad intellectual range.

Program Introduction

Economics shapes how you understand the world. The Associate of Arts in Economics gives you two years to build that understanding deeply, earn a recognized credential, and transfer into upper-level study in Economics, Business, Finance, or Policy Studies at universities across BC. It is a program designed for students who are serious about where their education leads and want to arrive at their transfer institution not just enrolled but genuinely prepared to succeed at an advanced level.

The Associate of Arts in Economics is not a general Arts program. It is a clearly structured pathway through core economic theory, intermediate microeconomics, statistics, calculus, and global political economy, designed specifically to build the mathematical, statistical, and analytical foundations that upper-level university programs require. The curriculum is intentionally interdisciplinary, combining Economics with Political Science, Sociology, research methods, and critical reasoning, so that graduates arrive at their transfer institution as well rounded, analytically sharp thinkers who are ready to engage at an advanced level from day one.

Students graduate with a recognized two-year credential, 60 transferable credits, and a strong academic record for transfer applications. Whether you are heading into Economics, Business, Finance, or Policy Studies, or simply want a rigorous and meaningful credential while you determine your next move, the AA in Economics gives you the foundation, the flexibility, and the credential to move forward with confidence.

The Associate of Arts in Economics provides a structured and rigorous introduction to economic theory, policy, and quantitative analysis. Students build analytical and critical thinking skills, data and statistical literacy, mathematical foundations for advanced study, and strong written and oral communication skills. The curriculum combines Economics with Political Science, Sociology, Statistics, Calculus, and Logic, an interdisciplinary design that strengthens both analytical depth and broad intellectual development. Upon graduation, students hold a standalone Associate of Arts credential and 60 transferable credits, a strong foundation for transfer into Economics, Business, Finance, Policy Studies, or related fields at universities across BC.

To earn the Associate of Arts in Economics, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits with a minimum grade of C in each course, including the following:

Required Courses (36 Credits)

ECON 1150: Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 1250: Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2210: Money and Banking
ECON 2350: Intermediate Microeconomics
POLI 1125: Introduction to Political Science
POLI 2150: States, Markets, Globalization: Global Political Economy
SOCI 1125: Introduction to Society: Processes and Structures
SOCI 2260: Research Methods in Sociology

Select one Economics elective:

ECON 2255: International Trade
ECON 2260: Environmental Economics
ECON 2280: Labour Economics

Select one Calculus course:

MATH 1120: Differential Calculus
MATH 1130: Calculus for Life Sciences I
MATH 1140: Calculus I (Business Applications)

Select one Statistics course:

PSYC 2300: Applied Statistics
STAT 2315: Probability and Statistics
STAT 2342: Introduction to Statistics for Business

Select one Critical Reasoning course:

PHIL 1145: Critical Thinking
PHIL 1150: Introduction to Formal Logic
PHIL 1155: Introduction to Scientific Reasoning

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Ready to explore marketing as a career? Applications are accepted year-round with multiple intake periods to accommodate your schedule.

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Zero Textbook Cost

Many Economics courses at KPU are Zero Textbook Cost, meaning you save money without sacrificing quality. Classes regularly incorporate guest speakers from industry and government, real world case studies, and applied projects using live economic data and AI tools. You will see how economic thinking is applied in business, policy, and beyond, at no extra cost.