The Bachelor of Science, or B.S., economics degree is new on the moratoria list this semester — the requirements are being reviewed and possibly revamped.
The major went into moratorium this semester and will remain until at least fall 2014, meaning no one will be allowed to enter that major during that time period.
Although students no longer can enroll in the B.S. program this year, they still can choose a Bachelor of Arts, or B.A. in economics. Only about 22 percent of economics majors at MSU typically choose the economics B.S. degree, according to officials.
The B.S. program requires more math, science and statistics courses, and fewer classes from the colleges of arts and letters, and social sciences compared to the B.A., but all the economics requirements are the same for both majors. All of the differences come from the College of Social Science requirements.
Potential changes in the college requirements would make the two degrees the same, said Carey Elder, undergraduate adviser for the Department of Economics.
“We want to make sure that if we bring back the B.S., students really have a different degree than the B.A.,” Elder said. “The B.A. requirements won’t get them to graduate school — right now, the B.S. won’t either. If the B.S. comes back, it will be more directed toward getting students into graduate schools.”
She added that although the requirements wouldn’t get a student into graduate school, those who are interested can get direction from advisers on which classes to take.
“We’ve learned what the students who pick each major want to do and we want to help them get there,” she said.
The changes that could happen in the college requirements have not been finalized, but would make the B.A. and B.S. closer together, said Ethan Segal, associate dean of academic and student affairs in the College of Social Sciences.
“We’re trying to streamline the process for students so that they can get their degree as quickly as possible,” Segal said.
There are several reasons that a major, minor or specialization would go on the moratoria list, including a program review that could result in significant changes, insufficient staff, low demand, or if it’s under consideration for discontinuation.
Programs seeking moratoria are considered by the University Committee on Undergraduate Education and the Office of the Provost.
“We have very few complaints because the committee is conscious of impact on students,” said Doug Estry, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies.
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