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Declaration Process

Exploring Majors and Minors

One way to explore majors or minors is to take the introductory courses (see below) where you learn, engage with faculty and consider the fit of the topics to your interest and abilities.
Another good way to explore is to get involved in programs like Launch or Business Club developed especially for freshmen and sophomores.
Attend at least one required group advising session. There are four each year. Dates are listed on our website, are emailed each semester to interested students, FYS advisors and all enrolled students in our intro classes. Email deb@hope.edu to make sure you are on our list.
Calling isn't merely a major, job or title. Research makes it clear that most college students discover their majors during the first two years by discerning (not guessing) what lies ahead.

Recommended Course Sequence

ALL ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS MAJORS, MINORS AND CONCENTRATIONS (INCLUDING FINANCE, HUMAN RESOURCES AND MARKETING)

First Year (Typically)	*ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics MATH 115, 215 or 219 Statistics BUS 150 Introduction to Business
second Year (Typically)	ACCT 221 Financial Accounting BUS 222 Management Perspectives & Theory (and BUS 223 Lab starting 23/24 AY) *ECON 212 Principles of Microeconomics
Three of these with a 2.5 GPA = early declaration *Math course will change in the fall of 2023 (the new qualifying courses will be MATH 115, 215, 219)

Economics Majors & Minors

First Year (Typically)	*ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics MATH 115, 215 or 219 Statistics
First or Second Year	ECON 212 Principles of Microeconomics MATH 131 Calculus OR (MATH 125 & MATH 126 Calculus - year long) (Major only)
*Three of these with a 2.5 GPA = early declaration

(AP credits (accepted by Hope) for any of these courses will count towards your declaration requirements. This could lower the courses needed to declare your major. Please email deb@hope.edu if you have any AP or transfer course questions.)

HOw to declare a Major or Minor

Major

Take at least three of the *bolded classes noted above at Hope College and make sure:

You earned a C or higher in each of those classes,
You have a 2.50 GPA for those classes (calculate your GPA for those classes: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, etc.); it needs to be 2.5 or higher
Your overall Hope GPA is 2.70 or higher

If this is true, please complete the Department of Economics and Business Declaration and we will get back with you on next steps.

Minor

You can declare a minor by merely completing the Declaration Form. Although there are no GPA requirements for declaration, some courses (e.g., ECON 212 Microeconomics and BUS 222) will require a C or higher in Macroeconomics.

Anything Else?

That’s it! Just a reminder that our programs are meant to keep you engaged all four years at Hope, so please get involved to meet other students, alumni and faculty.