How Do You Declare An Economics Major?

How do you declare an economics major?

You’ll need to complete the Economics Major Declaration Form in MyUCLA, submit it through the MyUCLA Message Center, and wait for confirmation from the Economics Undergraduate Counseling Office. Plan on a 5–7 business day wait for their response.

What’s actually happening with this declaration process?

Declaring an economics major at UCLA isn’t automatic—you submit a formal request to the Department of Economics Undergraduate Counseling Office. Students in the College of Letters and Science can technically wait until the end of sophomore year to declare, but jumping on it early gives you better access to upper-division courses and advising. Fun fact: as of 2026, UCLA’s economics programs (including Business Economics) are now STEM majors under CIP code 45.0603, which could affect visa eligibility for international students and open up STEM-specific resources.

Walk me through the exact steps

1. First, log in to MyUCLA and head to the Academics tab.
2. Scroll down to “Major Declaration” and pick “Declare Economics Major”.
3. Fill out the Economics Major Declaration Form with your student ID, current GPA, and planned course sequence. Double-check everything—mistakes here can hold up your application.
4. Hit submit. You’ll see a confirmation screen with a reference number; save that for tracking.
5. Now open the MyUCLA Message Center and send a message to the Economics Undergraduate Counseling Office. Use this subject line: Economics Major Declaration – [Your Name] – [Student ID].
6. Attach a PDF of your completed form and unofficial transcripts (if they ask). Add a quick note: “Request to declare Economics major per UCLA Department of Economics policy (2026).”
7. Wait for their reply in the Message Center. Most responses come within 5–7 business days. You’ll get an email from Professor Frank Wolak (Director of Undergraduate Studies) or another advisor once it’s approved.
8. After approval, log back into MyUCLA and confirm your major shows up under “Academics → My Academic Progress”. If it doesn’t update within 10 days, ping them again through the Message Center.

What if something goes wrong?

• Got rejected because of your GPA? Check MyUCLA for holds or missing prerequisites. Run your GPA through the UCLA GPA calculator. If your GPA dips below the department’s usual threshold (around 2.5 for upper-division econ courses), think about retaking a class or meeting with an advisor to work out a probation plan.
• No word after 10 days? Send a polite follow-up in the MyUCLA Message Center with your reference number. Still nothing? Drop by the Economics Undergraduate Counseling Office (2263 Bunche Hall) during office hours (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM).
• Running into technical issues? Clear your browser cache or try another device. If the form won’t load at all, reach out to the UCLA IT Support Center for MyUCLA troubleshooting.

How can I avoid problems in the first place?

• Before declaring, meet with your pre-major advisor to confirm you’ve finished the required courses (ECON 1, MATH 115A, and two quarters of calculus). The UCLA College Requirements page spells out what you need.
• Keep an eye on your degree audit in MyUCLA. Use the “What-If” tool to test out major changes and dodge any surprises down the road.
• Watch those deadlines. The department processes declarations year-round, but students who apply by the end of sophomore year get priority. Wait too long and you might push back your graduation date.
• Keep all confirmation emails and screenshots in one folder. You’ll thank yourself later when you need them for transfer credit reviews or honors applications.

For the official rules, check the UCLA Department of Economics Undergraduate Page or the 2025–2026 UCLA General Catalog.