The flexibility of an Economics degree allows you to apply economic analysis to a variety of problems facing individuals, businesses, countries or the entire world. It also serves as an excellent foundation for graduate education in law, business administration or public administration. Banks, financial institutions and government organizations are leading employers of economics graduates.
Economics provides a primary basis for decisions at the national, business, and individual levels. It analyzes how businesses and households make decisions and prescribes solutions to societal problems such as unemployment, inflation, pollution and crime. Economics students learn to utilize geometric, algebraic and statistical/econometric models to analyze economic problems and to arrive at solutions to real world problems. Should the state government, for example, build a much needed bridge over a pristine river (to alleviate traffic congestion) despite the damage to the environment as a result of the new bridge? Analytical and problem-solving skills learned in the economic context could be applied to other areas.
Besides preparing students for careers in business, an education in economics is excellent preparation for graduate studies in law, business, public administration, environmental studies, as well as in economics. Economics is a flexible choice for students seeking a rigorous, well-respected and relevant major without specializing in a narrowly defined area.
There are three distinct degrees in Economics available to students:
- Business Economics, B.S. (Major)
A business degree where students will be exposed to multiple business areas. This allows a student to major in an Economics major but still have a strong business background. The BS in Business Economics is excellent for students who are strong in quantitative courses and are considering an MBA program after graduation.
- Economics, B.S. (Major)
Not a pure business degree, but does offer students some business courses. It also offers a good deal of flexibility, as it does not have a set business core to take. It provides excellent preparation for law school.
- Economics, B.A. (Major)
Offered jointly with the College of Arts and Sciences. The BA offers flexibility and is the least quantitative of the three Economics degree options. This is a liberal arts degree and students will be expected to complete the College of Arts and Sciences exploratory requirements.
Providing valuable understanding of the concepts and applications of economics, a minor in this field provides students with a flexible and marketable minor. Combined with a business major – or major in another field – an economics minor gives the graduate an additional advantage in the marketplace. A minor in economics can also provide recognition to the student who does not want a major in economics but who has taken several courses in the area.