Agricultural & Consumer Economics: Consumer Economics & Finance, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Consumer Economics & Finance Concentration


Students in Consumer Economics and Finance develop knowledge and skills to help consumers with everyday problems. Coursework in consumer economics, personal finance, and economics gives students a broad-based background and an understanding of the role of consumers in the marketplace. Students can choose an emphasis in consumer economics, family economics, or financial planning and counseling, which leads to career opportunities with government and public agencies, marketing and sales firms, and financial institutions.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Consumer Economics & Finance Concentration


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ACE 100, ECON 103, and two other courses approved as Social and Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: U.S. Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-8
fulfilled by MATH 220, MATH 221, or MATH 234; and ACE 262
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
Department Foundation
ACE 123Introduction to ACE2
ACE 100Introduction to Applied Microeconomics4
ECON 103Macroeconomic Principles3
ACE 161Computer Concepts & Applications3
or CS 105 Intro Computing: Non-Tech
Calculus Option - Select one of the following:4
Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus for Business I
ACCY 201Accounting and Accountancy I3
ACE 262Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I3
ACE 264Applied Statistical Methods & Data Analytics 23
Communication Option3 or 6
Public Speaking
Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
Oral & Written Comm I
and Oral & Written Comm II
Minimum of 6 additional hours of Social & Behavioral Sciences 6
ACE 341Careers and Professionalism1 or 2
ACE 300Intermediate Applied Microeconomics3
ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option - Select one of the following:3
Environment and Development
Global Agribusiness Management
International Business Immersion
Agriculture in Intl Dev
The Latin American Economies
International Trade in Food and Agriculture
Consumer Economics & Finance Concentration18
ACE 240Personal Financial Planning3
ACE 270Consumer Economics3
ACE 474Economics of Consumption3
ACE 476Behavioral Economics and Financial Decision Making3
Advanced Consumer Economics & Finance Option - Select two of the following:6
Food Marketing and Behavior
Small Business Finance
Tax Policy and Finan Planning
Financial Services & Investing Planning
Intermediate Financial and Estate Planning
International Trade in Food and Agriculture
Agricultural and Food Policies
Health Economics
Economics of Labor Markets
Corporate Finance
Minimum hours in the College of ACES, 20 of which must be in the Department of ACE35
Total Hours126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Consumer Economics & Finance Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. The introduction to applied microeconomics and macroeconomics courses do not count toward the social science general education requirement. Students must take 6 hours above and beyond these two courses to meet the social and behavioral sciences requirement.  For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHours
ACE 1004
ACE 1232
Calculus Option4
Communication Option or Composition I3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
 17
Total Hours 17
First Year
Second SemesterHours
ACE 161 or CS 1053
Composition I or Communication Option4
General Education course3
ECON 1033
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
ACCY 2013
ACE 2403
ACE 2623
ACE 3411
General Education course3
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
ACE 2703
ACE 2643
ACE 3003
General Education course3
General Education course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
First SemesterHours
Advanced Consumer Economics & Finance Option3
ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience3
General Education course3
ACE or ACES Elective Course3
Free Elective course4
 16
Total Hours 16
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
ACE 4743
Advanced Consumer Economics & Finance Option3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course4
 16
Total Hours 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
ACE or ACES Elective Course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
ACE 4763
ACE or ACES Elective course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course or 400-level ACE Elective3
 15
Total Hours 15

Total Hours: 126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Consumer Economics & Finance Concentration


  1. ACE students will acquire broad and deep knowledge of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.
  2. ACE students will develop a critical and reflective orientation toward global systems (such as natural, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political) and cultural differences (such as race, indigeneity, gender, class, sexuality, language, and disability).
  3. ACE students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  4. ACE students will develop their ability to communicate in a variety of settings.
  5. ACE students will build and sustain productive relationships to be effective leaders who can respond to civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels, creating positive change in their communities.
  6. Develop knowledge and skills to help consumers with everyday problems. Explore consumer economics, personal finance, and behavioral economics to gain a broad understanding of the role of consumers in the marketplace. Analyze data using financial and statistical tools.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Consumer Economics & Finance Concentration


Agricultural Consumer Economics

Agricultural Consumer Economics Website
326 Mumford Hall
1301 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1810

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College Website

Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801

Advising

Phone: 217-333-1810
Email: ace-aces@illinois.edu
ACE Advising Website

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions
visitACES@illinois.edu
217-333-3380
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions