Department of Economics
DEGREES IN ECONOMICS
Students who major in economics may pursue either a BA or a BS degree with the option of a concentration in financial economics. Students interested in the economics major often ask if there are any differences in the BA and BS degrees, such as prestige or value to employers or graduate schools. In brief, the answer is no. The only difference between the two programs is the requirement in the BS degree of two courses in accounting and one course in finance that provides the foundation for additional advanced course work in business Your GPA, difficulty of courses, job experience, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills are more important for your job placement and career than whether you earned a BA or a BS degree.
A degree in economics is excellent preparation for future graduate study. The BA degree in economics with appropriate other courses is an excellent pre-law degree. The Wall Street Journal (November 30, 1998, p. A2) reports that economics majors had the highest in LSAT scores “in the study of the most common majors for law school in 1992 and 1995” though economics was “edged out” by several less common majors. The BA or the BS degree is excellent preparation for graduate work in business, health administration and policy, public administration and policy, urban and regional development and other applied social science fields. Studying economics prepares you for your career and many job opportunities.
BA (Liberal Arts) degree in Economics
The BA degree provides students with a more flexible liberal arts education and the opportunity to double major in subject areas outside the Bryan School of Business and Economics such as geography, history, international business, mathematics, and political science. The major requires five required courses and a minimum of five economic electives including a writing and speaking intensive course in economics.
BS (Business-oriented) degree in Economics
The business-oriented BS degree provides the student with the opportunity to take two accounting courses and one finance course along with 27 hours of economics with an option to take the concentration in financial economics.
BS (finance-oriented) degree in Economics
The BS degree with a financial economics concentration provides students desiring a degree for entry into the financial sector (banking, insurance, corporate finance, investments (trusts), and security analysis).
Minor in Economics Students majoring in Business or any other major in the University may minor in economics. The requirement for the minor is 15 semester hours of economics beyond ECO 101 (Introduction to Economics) or ECO 201 (Principles of Microeconomics).
BA in Economics - liberal arts focus – flexible 30-hour degree in economics
| Economics requirements: | ECO 201 (101), 202, 250, 301, 346, |
| One WI/SI ECO elective | |
| Plus a minimum of four other ECO electives | |
| Additional requirements: | ISM 110, MAT 120 or 191. |
BS in Economics - business focus – flexible 27-hour degree in economics
| Economics requirements: | ECO 201 (101), 202, 250, 300, 301, 346, |
| One WI/SI ECO elective or MGT 309 | |
| Plus a minimum of four other ECO electives if | |
| WI/SI ECO elective is selected, then only three ECO electives | |
| Additional requirements: | MAT 120 (191), ENG 101 (FMS 115 or RCO 101), CST 105 |
| ISM 110, ACC 201 (218), 202 and FIN 315 | |
| There is a limit of 10 Business Schools courses in the first 122 hours |
Concentration within the BS Degree: Financial Economics
| Additional requirements: | ECO 327 and three FIN courses above FIN 315 as electives or |
| FIN 330 and three FIN courses above FIN 315 as electives |
Graduate School Opportunities
More than 20% of economics majors go to graduate programs in economics, law, public administration, public health, or MBA programs.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities such as business analyst, market researcher, economist, financial manager or analyst, data or statistical analyst, research associate, business manager, sales representative, health care analyst, ...