Economics as a Major
Economic issues dominate today's news and public debates more than ever before. Inflation, unemployment, health care, economic growth, global climate change, poverty, and international economic relations are a few of these issues. The primary strength of economics is that it provides a logical, ordered way of looking at most problems and issues. This education is less specific than other business-related majors, but this provides more flexibility for economics graduates to pursue a variety of careers. Depending on their interests, students majoring in economics may also minor in a number of fields, such as finance, law or environmental studies.
An economics degree helps develop important critical thinking skills and provides useful quantitative training. This is one of the reasons why the starting salaries of economics majors rank high compared to other undergraduate degrees and are equal to, or greater than, other business majors. In addition, an economics degree is an excellent foundation for further graduate study such as an M.B.A., law school, or a M.S. or Ph.D. in economics.
The Department of Economics offers two undergraduate degree programs - a B.S.B.A. and a B.A. The purpose of the Business Economics (B.S.B.A.) program is to provide students with a professional business background that prepares them for careers in private business and government.
The purpose of the Economics (B.A.) program is to provide a broad-based liberal arts background that can serve as a strong foundation for further graduate studies in law, social sciences, and other fields, or as training for careers in politics, teaching, research, social service, and other areas.
The department also offers an accelerated undergraduate/graduate program for highly qualified majors in economics. The Economics B.A./M.S. program provides a broad liberal arts education and leads to a graduate degree in five years.
Students should consult with an advisor for more details about the requirements and options within each degree program.