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HB 526

Relating to requiring coursework in economics for an associate or baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brian Harrison

Texas would require all public university and community college students to complete economics coursework regardless of major, expanding general education requirements statewide.

Referred to Higher Education
#education--higher--curriculum(s0257) #education--higher--institutions&programs(i0223)
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Bill Summary · HB 526

Legislative bill overview

HB 526 would mandate that all students pursuing associate or baccalaureate degrees at Texas public institutions of higher education complete coursework in economics. This requirement would apply across all degree programs, regardless of field of study, making economics a universally required component of undergraduate and associate degree curricula.

Why is this important

Economics education is increasingly viewed as essential to informed citizenship and personal financial decision-making, covering topics like inflation, budgeting, labor markets, and economic policy. However, this mandate would significantly affect curriculum design, institutional flexibility, and potentially increase time-to-degree and tuition costs for students in already credit-intensive programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum autonomy: Colleges and universities traditionally control their own curricula; this represents significant state intervention in academic programming and may conflict with institutional accreditation standards
  • Burden on specific programs: Engineering, nursing, and other credential-heavy fields already have tight course requirements; adding mandatory coursework could lengthen degree completion timelines and increase costs
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what "coursework in economics" entails—whether it's microeconomics, macroeconomics, a survey course, or something else—which could lead to inconsistent implementation across institutions
  • Alternative fulfillment methods: No apparent provision for equivalent coursework or proficiency demonstrations, potentially creating inflexibility for transfer students or those with prior economic education

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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