Summer Springboard
Economics
IN BERKELEY
EXPLORE ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES AND THEIR IMPACT ON GLOBAL ISSUES
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Economics in Berkeley
- Learn the fundamentals of supply and demand, pricing, and economic systems.
- Understand real-world issues like labor markets, environmental policy, and international trade.
- Develop skills to interpret statistics and use quantitative tools for decision-making.
- Explore economics as a social science and how it connects with political systems.
- Learn to form hypotheses and test them to better understand economic behavior.
- Practice structured communication and debate using economic terminology.
Summer Springboard
Economics
About This Course
The Economics course in Berkeley gives high school students a strong foundation in core economic concepts such as supply and demand, pricing, and the role of markets.
Students explore how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions in conditions of scarcity, and how those choices impact broader social and political systems. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning, the course covers real-world topics including labor markets, inflation, environmental policy, and international trade.
Students learn to interpret statistics and apply quantitative tools to real economic problems, while also developing the ability to form and test hypotheses. A key component of the course is building communication skills—students practice using economic terminology to debate and clearly explain complex ideas.
By the end of the program, participants gain both practical skills and a deeper understanding of how economic systems shape our world.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students apply economic theories to real-world issues through interactive lessons, data analysis, and simulations that mirror real market challenges.
Career Exploration
The course introduces students to potential career paths in economics, finance, government, and public policy through guided discussions and expert insights.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“It was a great opportunity to determine what specific part of economics I wanted to pursue, and the academic excursion to Visa headquarters was an extremely valuable experience. Getting to talk to and learn from the Visa employee panel was amazing.”
W. Chen | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Economics
Meet Your Instructor
Allan is a distinguished educator with a passion for economics and mathematics. Holding a Master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics, both from UC Berkeley, Allan brings a wealth of academic expertise to his teaching endeavors. Currently serving as a visiting professor in Economics at Saint Mary’s College and a professor of Economics and Business at Diablo Valley College, Allan’s commitment to higher education is unwavering.
With previous roles as a Senior Economist in the Controller’s Office for the City and County of San Francisco and an adjunct instructor in Economics at the City College of San Francisco, Allan’s professional experience enriches his classroom instruction. Additionally, his leadership as the former Department Chairperson for the Business Administration and Real Estate Department at Diablo Valley College underscores his dedication to academic excellence and student success.
ALLAN LACAYO, MA, ECONOMICS, UC BERKELEY
“It was fun and I learned a lot during my time here. Getting to know how colleges work really helped me understand the process of applying and pursuing a career path.”
– Javi H. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Economics
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 14 – June 26, 2026 |
| Session 3: June 28 – July 10, 2026 |
| Session 5: July 12 – July 24, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Berkeley |
| State: California |
| Campus: Berkeley |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly, NYSID and UW Foster which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.