Economics Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Program Description
It is often suggested that economics is the study of peoples’ efforts to satisfy their unlimited wants by utilizing their limited resources. Economics studies the cost implications of an individual making a decision to go to college, the cost implications of a society making a decision to go to war, and everything in-between. Economics might be the most broadly applied of the social sciences because economists believe that all human decisions have economic costs and, therefore, are worthy of economic analysis. The Economics Transfer Pathway provides a broad base of general education relevant to economics careers, and prepares students for transfer into an Economics baccalaureate degree at Minnesota State universities. A bachelor’s degree in economics will open doors into a number of career fields including management, public administration, public policy, banking, education, and business. It may also be a step to advanced degrees in many fields.
Program Outcomes
By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Ask an economic question, gather information and resources, form an explanatory hypothesis, collect data that can be used to test the hypothesis, analyze the data, draw conclusions, and suggest future research;
- Work with mathematical formalizations of economic models and perform mathematical operations; explain the design and results of laboratory and field experiments; and explain the conduct, results, and limitations of basic econometrics;
- Explain economic models as deliberate simplifications of reality that economists create to think through complex, nondeterministic behaviors; identify the assumptions and limitations of each model and their potential impacts;
- Explain the strengths and limitations of economic data and statistical analyses; and think creatively and combine or synthesize existing economic ideas in original ways; and
- Demonstrate knowledge of major economic institutions and familiarity with magnitudes of common economic statistics.
Transfer Opportunities
The Economics Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Economics bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so students completing this pathway degree and transferring to a Minnesota State university may enter with junior-year status. Courses in the Economics Transfer Pathway associates degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs. Students should consult with an advisor for guidance regarding how to best meet the requirements of their intended baccalaureate program. Universities within the Minnesota State system participating in the Economics Transfer Pathway include:
- Bemidji State University – BS
- Metropolitan State University – BS
- Minnesota State University, Mankato – BS
- Minnesota State University, Moorhead – BA
- Cloud State University – BA
- Winona State University – BA
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:
- College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
- Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.
Employment Statistics
For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:
https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
Salary information from indeed.com

Program Course Requirements
Required Discipline Courses (6 credits)
ECON 2401 Principles of Economics – Macroeconomics (Goal 5)……………………….. 3 cr
ECON 2402 Principles of Economics – Microeconomics (Goal 5)………………………… 3 cr
Required MnTC Courses (45 credits)
COMM 2420 Intercultural Communication (Goals 1,7) OR
COMM 2422* Honors Intercultural Comm (Goals 1,7)
recommended, or other COMM course………………………… 3 cr
ENGL 1410 Composition I (Goal 1) OR
ENGL 1420* Honors Composition I (Goal 1)…………………. 4 cr
ENGL 1411* Composition II (Goal 1) OR
ENGL 1421* Honors Composition II (Goals 1,9)…………… 4 cr
MATH 1460* Introduction to Statistics (Goal 4) OR
MATH 1461* Honors Intro to Statistics (Goals 2,4)……….. 4 cr
MATH 1470 College Algebra (Goal 4)………………………….. 3 cr
PHIL 2410 Introduction to Philosophy (Goals 2,6)
recommended, or other PHIL course…………………………….. 3 cr
Goal 2** (This goal will be fulfilled by selecting a course that also meets Goal 4, 5 or 6)
Goal 3 ** (2 disciplines required, 3 recommended,
must include one Goal 3 lab course)……………………………… 6 cr
Goal 5 ** (any discipline other than Economics)……………. 3 cr
Goal 6 ** (2 disciplines required, 3 recommended)……….. 9 cr
Goal 8 ** …………………………………………………………………. 3 cr
Goal 9 ** …………………………………………………………………. 3 cr
Fitness for Life (2 credits)
HLTH or PHED Fitness for Life course……………………………… 2 cr
Student Success (1 credit)
CCST 1550 Introduction to College (recommended)…. 1 cr
Electives (6 credits)
Electives as needed to total 60 credits** ………………………. 6 cr
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 60 CREDITS
*Denotes Prerequisites
**Many courses from Goals 1 – 6 also meet Goal 7 – 10. Credits count only once. Students are advised to select MnTC courses with multiple goal assignments whenever possible.
Program Instructors
Photo | First Name | Last Name | Position | Department | Phone | Alt. Phone: | URL | wdt_ID | Details | |
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Aubrey | Beadell | Advisor | TRIOStudentSupportServices | (218) 855-8014 | aubrey.beadell@clcmn.edu | 1 | More details | ||
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Nick | O'Reilly | Occupational Skills Program College Lab Assistant | OccupationalSkills | 218-855-8077 | Nicholas.oreilly@clcmn.edu | 2 | More details | ||
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Kevin | Lomax | College Lab Assistant | Automotive Faculty | 218-855-8000 | KLomax@clcmn.edu | 3 | More details | ||
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Jody | Flynn | Accessibility Services Assistant | Accessibility | 218-855-8056 | jody.flynn@clcmn.edu | 5 | More details | ||
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Deana | Bobzien | Instructor | CollegeCareerStudies - Mathematics - Supportive Services | 218-855-8339 | deana.bobzien@clcmn.edu | 7 | More details | ||
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Brianna | Rajkowski | Advisor | TRIOStudentSupportServices | 218-855-8228 | brianna.rajkowski@clcmn.edu | 8 | More details | ||
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Cynthia | Dionysius | AD Nursing Faculty | NursingASDegree | 218-855-8133 | cindy.dionysius@clcmn.edu | 9 | More details | ||
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Tajia | Anderson | PSEO Specialist | Admissions - CollegeCreditInHighSchool- PSEO | (218) 855-8079 | tajia.anderson@clcmn.edu | 10 | More details | ||
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Brent | Balmer | Audio Visual Education Specialist | Videography | (218) 855-8230 | brent.balmer@clcmn.edu | 13 | More details | ||
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David | Gray | Instructor | History | 218-855-8276 | david.gray@clcmn.edu | 14 | More details | ||
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Jim | Nagy | Adjunct Instructor | GraphicDesign | 218-855-8157 | james.nagy@clcmn.edu | 15 | More details | ||
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Brandon | Schneider | Instructor | HeavyEquipment | 218-894-5179 | brandon.schneider@clcmn.edu | 16 | More details | ||
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Natalia | DePauw | Director of Dual Enrollment | Advising - PSEO - CollegeCreditInHighSchool | 218-855-8263 | natalia.depauw@clcmn.edu | 18 | More details | ||
Amy | Disterhaupt | Admissions Specialist | Admissions | 218-855-8250 | amy.disterhaupt@clcmn.edu | 20 | More details | |||
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Nick | Heisserer | Instructor | BusinessInstructor - BusinessTransferPathway = StudentLearningAssessment | 218-855-8089 | nick.heisserer@clcmn.edu | https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/CentralLakesCollege6@MinnState.edu/bookings/ | 21 | More details | |
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Matthew | Krueger | Environmental Health and Safety Officer | Maintenance - Security - Safety | 218-855-8115 | matthew.krueger@clcmn.edu | 22 | More details | ||
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Mark | Lindquist | Instructor | Music | 218-855-8203 | mark.lindquist@clcmn.edu | 23 | More details | ||
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Jeremy | Goddard | Bookstore/Print Shop | Bookstore Supportive Services | 218-855-8146 | Jeremy.Goddard@clcmn.edu | 25 | More details | ||
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Sarah | Jennissen | Instsructor | NursingAssistant - PracticalNursing - TrainedMedicationAid | 218-894-5308 | sarah.jennissen@clcmn.edu | 26 | More details | ||
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Cash | Robinson | Academic Advisor | TRIOUpwardBound - Advising | 218-855-8035 | cash.robinson@clcmn.edu | 28 | More details | ||
Anne | Radspinner | Instructor | WomensStudiesCertificate | aradspinner@clcmn.edu | 29 | More details | ||||
Jean | Mershon | Instructor | HealthDepartment | jean.mershon@clcmn.edu | 30 | More details | ||||
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Ryan | Wright | Enrollment Representative | Admissions - CampusTours | 218-855-8013 | ryan.wright@clcmn.edu | 31 | More details | ||
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Steve | Wenzel | Instructor | PoliticalScience | 218-855-8073 | stephen.wenzel@clcmn.edu | 32 | More details | ||
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Julie | Woitalla | Instructor | NursingASDegree - PracticalNursing | 218-855-8168 | julie.woitalla@clcmn.edu | 33 | More details |
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