Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics learn economic theory and statistical methods that develop keen analytical and quantitative skills. These skills enable them to work in a variety of fields, including business, public administration, finance, consulting, journalism, foreign service, politics, education, or economic research. An Economics B.A. also prepares students who want to pursue graduate studies, including advanced degrees in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, or Data Science.

Incoming students may transfer up to 50% of the School of Business courses required in the major, pending department evaluation for transfer equivalency. 

Although not a requirement, students pursuing an Economics, B.A. should consider completing the business core requirements if they wish to complement their economics degree with any of the Bachelor of Science degrees offered at the School of Business.

¹

Although ECON 203 is a restricted elective course, it is a pre-requisite for ECON 320. Students pursuing an Economics B.A. must choose ECON 203 as one of their restricted electives before taking ECON 320.

²

ECON 203 is a required class for all Bachelor of Science degrees at the School of Business. Students pursuing an Economics B.A. must take ECON 221 or MATH 164 prior to taking ECON 203. Since ECON 221 is an economics general education course, ECON 221 does not count as one of the restricted electives needed for the major.

The following Economics B.A. degree map outlines a course sequence that the Economics Department recommends for students who are interested in pursuing an Economics B.A. degree.

¹

Students who take English Composition I and II for English as a Second Language (ESL 101 and ESL 102) complete these in place of ENGL 101 and 102 but have fewer free elective credits as a result.

²

Not a requirement, but strongly recommended for students pursuing an Economics B.A.

³

First time first-year students only.

Student Learning Outcomes

   Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Economics program, students will be able to:

1. Identify ethical issues and understand the implications of social responsibility for sustainable business practices.
2. Evaluate information and apply critical thinking skills to identify solutions and inform business decisions.
3. Utilize technology, apply quantitative methods and interpret data to solve business problems.
4. Integrate knowledge of core business concepts and collaborate productively as part of a team.
5. Work effectively in a diverse environment and understand how global and cultural issues effect the organization and its stakeholders.
6. Compose clear and concise forms of written communication to effectively convey ideas and information associated with business topics.
7. Communicate business concepts effectively through oral presentation.
8.  Identify the determinants of various macroeconomics aggregates such as output, unemployment, inflation, productivity and the major challenges associated with the measurement of these aggregates.
9. Articulate, both orally and in writing, the core economic principles, concepts and theories that form the foundation for modern economic research.
10. Explain core economic terms, concepts and theories such as: market and price allocation mechanisms, equilibrium in microeconomics and macroeconomics, measures of economic change, concepts of comparative advantages, and type of market failures.
11. Represent economic relationships using graphical and mathematical tools and provide meaningful verbal interpretation of these representations.