Shaping Future Leaders with Economic Insight
Why do markets fluctuate? What drives consumer behavior? How can policy create more stable and equitable economies? If these questions spark your curiosity, ±«±··¡â€™s Economics major may be the perfect fit for you.
A degree in Economics from 51°µÍø provides you with analytical tools and real-world experience, enabling you to help businesses and organizations interpret economic trends, assess risks, and make data-driven decisions. Guided by expert faculty in the College of Business, you’ll discover how economics intersects with various disciplines, applying to diverse fields such as finance, government, health care, education, the environment, and social services.
Why 51°µÍø for Your Degree in EconomicsÂ
As a 51°µÍø Economics major, you’ll graduate with a broad skill set that prepares you for a wide range of careers in economics. Our career-focused curriculum combines essential business courses with specialized economics coursework, providing you with a strong foundation in the analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills employers demand. This prepares you for success in fields such as finance, policy, sustainability, and business strategy, or for further graduate study in economics, law, public policy, or business.
- Hands-on program that equips graduates with job-ready skills
- Offers diverse courses with personalized learning in smaller classes
- Promotes interdisciplinary study with opportunities to pursue a minor or second major
- Supports internships with many local partner companies
- Personalized learning with direct faculty mentorship, preparing students for the complexities of the modern economy
- A data-driven curriculum that integrates cutting-edge research and industry insights, providing you with the expertise employers seek
- Flexible elective courses that allow a personalized focus in areas like environmental, health, or financial economics
- Promotes accessibility with open educational resources for core economics courses
- Prepares you for continued studies in graduate school
Enhance Your Professional and Entrepreneurial Skills
±«±··¡â€™s College of Business centers can help boost your economics career with practical learning and networking opportunities in the modern sales landscape or the dynamic sports business sector. Want to bring out your inner entrepreneur? Take courses in ±«±··¡â€™s P.D. Merrill Makerspace and explore our Office of Innovation.
What Will You Study? Economics Degree Curriculum Overview
±«±··¡â€™s Economics curriculum provides a strong foundation in economic theory, data analysis, and policy, with a focus on solving real-world challenges like climate change, inequality, and economic development. In addition to required courses in areas like microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, our Economics major also includes coursework in:
- Environmental Economics
- Health Economics
- International Trade and Finance
- Financial Accounting
- Money, Credit, and Banking
- Economic Development of the United States
Curriculum
Core Curriculum
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| First Year Seminar | 3 |
| First Year Writing | 3 |
| Scientific Method | 4 |
| Creativity and Arts (fulfilled by BUMG 120) | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (fulfilled by MAT 120) | 3 |
| Power, Knowledge, & Justice (Social Science prefix required) (fulfilled by BUEC 203) | 3 |
| Human Experience (Humanities prefix required) | 3 |
| Health of Natural Systems | 3 |
| Human Health | 3 |
| Open Power, Knowledge & Justice (Prefix Open) | 3 |
| Open Power, Knowledge & Justice (Prefix Open) | 3 |
| Open Power, Knowledge & Justice (Prefix Open) | 3 |
| Deeper Dive (Disciplinary Exclusions Apply) | 3 |
| Core Required Credits | 40 |
| Open Elective Courses | 20 |
| Minimum Required Total Credits for Graduation | 120 |
| Business Foundational Knowledge Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUAC 303 – Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| BUEC 204 – Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUFI 205/DSC 205 – Introduction to Data Analysis & Modeling | 3 |
| BUMG 101 – Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUFI 315 – Business Finance Concepts and Skills | 3 |
| BUMG 120 – Innovation Through Technology | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| BUMG 200 – Management | 3 |
| BUMG 325 – Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUMG 495A – Internship/Experiential Learning in Economics Profession | 3 |
| BUMK 200 – Marketing | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| BUMG 498 – Strategic Management | 3 |
| Total Business Foundation Knowledge Courses | 3 |
| Economics Major Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 3XX - Introduction to Economics: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| BUEC 365 – Evolution of Economic Theory | 3 |
| BUEC 370 – Money Credit and Banking | 3 |
| BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the U.S. | 3 |
| BUEC XXX - Econometrics | 3 |
| BUEC 3XX – Advanced Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUEC 3XX – Advanced Macroeconomics | 3 |
| BUEC 4XX - Economics Seminar | 3 |
| BUEC 3XX or 4XX – Economics Elective | 3 |
| BUEC 3XX or 4XX – Economics Elective | 3 |
| Total Economics Required Courses | 30 |
| Total Program Required Courses | 60 |
|---|
Potential Electives
- BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics
- BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance
- BUEC 385 – Health Economics
- BUEC 390/ENV 324 – Environmental Economics.
Career Paths for Economics Majors
With your strong foundation in economic analysis, along with your experiences in interdisciplinary study, research projects, and internships, you will graduate fully prepared to apply your understanding of economies and how they relate to work being done in a variety of fields.
Economics majors are in high demand across industries, with opportunities in fields like actuarial sciences, corporate finance, and investment banking, with jobs that include:
- Budget or Credit Analyst
- Economic Developer
- Environmental Economist
- Health Economist
- Investment Advisor
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Engineering
Economics Careers By The Numbers
national average salary for economists
U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2023
estimated job growth through 2028
Lightcast
Global Perspective in Economics
Economics is a global discipline that examines how markets, policies, and societies interact across countries. As an undergraduate economics student at 51°µÍø, you’ll take courses designed to deepen your understanding of international trade, global finance, and economic development. By integrating economic principles with a global perspective, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle pressing international issues and make meaningful contributions in global business environments.
51°µÍø offers study abroad opportunities, short-term travel courses, and even our own campus in Tangier, Morocco, making it easy for you to gain firsthand exposure to diverse economic systems and global markets.
Experiential Learning for Economics Majors
With a strong foundation in economic analysis and hands-on experience in interdisciplinary study, research projects, and internships, you’ll be well-equipped to apply your understanding of economies to a wide range of fields. Engaging in discussions on current events, policy debates, and data-driven decision-making will also help you develop the practical skills necessary to apply economic knowledge in any industry.
Internships for Economics Majors
Interning at a local or regional business or government agency offers an excellent opportunity to explore your passion for economics. Through our internship course, you’ll earn course credit while gaining hands-on experience and building professional connections. We work with you to identify the ideal internship in the economics industry, preparing you for success in your future career. Past economics students have interned at a variety of sites, including:
- Real Estate Agencies
- Land Trust Organizations
- Insurance Companies
- Chambers of Commerce
- City Halls
- Manoment U
Research Opportunities for Economics Majors
As a 51°µÍø Economics major, you can combine your knowledge of economics with research on a variety of societal challenges, such as inequality and sustainable development. Research projects allow you to develop critical thinking and data analysis skills while exploring issues that matter to you. Potential research projects include:
- Analyzing wage gaps and labor market inequality across different demographics
- Investigating the economic impact of climate policies on local communities
- Exploring the effects of housing policies on affordability and urban development
Interested in our Economics Program?
The Economics degree program is available beginning in fall 2026 for first-year students. If you are a current 51°µÍø student seeking more information, please visit Academic Advising.
