Economics
Program Overview
Economics is the study of the choices we make in our daily lives, both as individuals and as communities. It considers the impact of small and large resource decisions on the individual, on society, and on the natural world. Because many of these decisions are made in the marketplace, an understanding of Economics is essential for those pursuing a career in any aspect of business. Likewise, those preparing for professional work in politics and law should have knowledge of economic fundamentals, as government decision-makers continue to play a key role throughout the global economy. The Economics curriculum is designed to give the first formal training in Economics to those students who would become professional economists and to those who seek knowledge of Economics as part of their training for other professions such as law, banking, government, or industry.
Careers
Federal, state, and local governments seek economists to analyze policy and plan for development. Businesses and banks regularly hire economics majors for management training programs, financial analysis, and forecasting. Recent economics graduates are employed by various private firms and government agencies, including the Comptroller of the Currency, the Census Bureau, the FDIC, and Merrill Lynch . Some have their own consulting firms. The major program is also appropriate for those wishing to teach high school social studies.
Opportunities for graduate studies
M.A./M.S., Ph.D.: Recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees in Economics from University of Delaware, Rutgers University, Binghamton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha (Urban Planning), and University of Maryland.
M.B.A.: Recent graduates have pursued Masters in Business Administration degrees from Lehigh and Drexel Universities.
J.D.: Recent graduates have pursued law degrees from Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania, George Washington University, and American University
Program Details
Students desiring to pursue graduate studies in Economics are advised to take appropriate courses in the Department of Mathematics.
The minor can be useful for a variety of students. For humanities and social science majors, Economics can provide a quantitative and analytical background and a familiarity with economic ways of thinking. A minor in Economics contains some of the prerequisites for several graduate degrees and is especially helpful in the pursuit of an MBA and in many areas of law.
In conjunction with the Political Science Department, a minor in Political Economy is also offered.
