Introduction to the Major
The Political Economy major studies the relationship between government, society, and the economy in a holistic manner from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Political Economy majors investigate how real-world market systems are embedded in both politics and society. Students graduate with a mastery of a broad range of contemporary analyses as well as a deep understanding of classic works of political economy.
The major’s unique characteristic is the concentration; each student selects a series of four courses that directly address a question that they would like to investigate. The program has pre-designed concentrations as well as the possibility for a self-designed one.
“To impact today’s world that’s undergoing rapid and tectonic shifts, the Political Economy degree provides exactly what’s needed: a deep and nuanced understanding of the multidimensional relationship between theory and practice, as well as ideology and impact.”
- Toby Frankenstein, Class of 2006
PE Major Admission Requirements
The Political Economy major has two minimum requirements for entry. The first is an overall GPA of 2.7 at the time of application. The second is a B- grade in GLOBAL 45 on the first attempt at the class. We suggest taking GLOBAL 45 as early as possible in your college career as it is the single best predictor of how students will fare within the Political Economy major.
Amplify Your Major
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Join the Political Economy Students Association (PESA).
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Engage with political economy issues firsthand through study abroad.
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Complete a major paper or capstone project as part of an optional Senior Thesis.
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Apply to the year-long Honors Program to learn how to formulate a hypothesis, conduct research, and complete a thesis paper.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Complete the Online Major Declaration Workshop for an overview of the PE major. Consult the Political Economy Handbook to learn about major requirements and policies.
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Enroll in ECON 1 or 2 and GLOBAL 45.
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Get started on the foreign language requirement.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect and L&S Mentors Program.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
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Enroll in UGIS 98: College Success in L&S.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar such as POLECON 24, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course.
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Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in October.
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Explore related minors such as Global Studies, Global Poverty & Practice and Public Policy.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
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Explore career fields through the Career Connections Networking Series or a winter externship.
- Check out career resources on the Political Economy website.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Enroll in GLOBAL 45 if you did not take the course in your first year.
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Complete lower division prerequisites and declare the major.
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Continue with the foreign language requirement.
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Discuss potential concentrations with your major advisor and review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a student organization such as the Political Economy Students Association (PESA) which connects PE students to the department, career opportunities, and each other.
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Check out the Network for a New Political Economy.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
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Enrich your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
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Apply for a FLAS award, Boren Scholarship or Critical Language Scholarship to support your language study.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Reflect on your education so far and skills and experience you still wish to build.
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Declare the Political Economy major.
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Focus on upper division requirements such as POLECON 100 and 101.
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Review your Academic Progress Report in CalCentral to stay on track to graduate.
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Ask your major advisor about the optional Honors Program or the optional Senior Thesis.
Connect and Build Community
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Explore PE-related centers on campus like the Berkeley Center for Economics and Politics.
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Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
Discover Your Passions
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program, SURF or optional Senior Thesis for PE.
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM 120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or study abroad on a visitor and exchange program. Consider the year-long, Berkeley only, LSE exchange program.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Check out events at the Commonwealth Club and the World Affairs Council.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Practice your interviewing skills through Career Center workshops.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, & Public Service Career Fair.”
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Ask for recommendation letters and take any exams required for graduate school.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your Academic Progress Report in CalCentral to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Connect with alumni groups like the Political Economy Alumni group on LinkedIn, and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
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Give back as a Political Economy Volunteer.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Undertake the year-long Honors Program or independent project and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Attend Political Economy career workshops and connect with Political Economy alumni about internship or job opportunities.
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Political Economy students graduate with a broad-based liberal arts background as well as the intellectual skills appropriate for careers in the public or private sector or for graduate study.
Jobs and Employers
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Analyst, Dropbox
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Blockchain Ecosystem Manager, BASF
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Consultant Analyst, Accenture
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Digital Strategy Analyst, Adobe
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Fellow, California State Assembly
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Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
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Founder, Blue Mercury
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Management Analyst, City of Richmond
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Paralegal, Hawkins Delafield & Wood
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Policy Specialist, Google
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Public Sector Strategy Analyst, Deloitte
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Tax Associate, ACG CPA
- Teacher, public and private schools
Graduate Programs
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Anthropology, PhD
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Environmental Studies, PhD
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Information Technology, Masters
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International Relations and Global Studies, MS/PhD
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Law, JD
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Management Information Systems, Masters
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Political Science, PhD
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Public Policy, MA
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Sociology, PhD
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit politicaleconomy.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can schedule appointments with a Political Economy advisor by visiting the Meet with an Advisor webpage
Students can also schedule appointments with Political Economy peer advisors to obtain a student perspective on the major. Email askpe@berkeley.edu to schedule an appointment with a peer advisor.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
