The Economics, Business Concentration, BS program combines a solid background in economics with a significant exposure to important business-related analytical and conceptual skills. The economics major is designed to enable students to analyze problems relating to choice, equity, and efficiency from an individual as well as from a social standpoint. Students are prepared to be active, thinking members of society capable of productive and constructive participation. Many issues and policies are examined, ranging from globalization, technological change, and environmental concerns to questions of fiscal and monetary policy, poverty, inflation, and unemployment.
You will learn to think like an economist: a systematic way of analyzing issues and problems that affect individuals, households, consumers, businesses and governments. The core courses give you the theoretical, technical and quantitative background to succeed in upper-level coursework, enabling you to successfully apply these skills to contemporary economic events.
Economics prepares you for many different careers in both the private and public sectors. Many economics majors will work as analysts (data, research, budgeting, financial, credit, marketing, supply chain), managers (for-profit and nonprofit businesses), actuaries or in sales (insurance, financial, manufacturing).
If you are interested in pursuing economics in graduate school, a double major in mathematics is recommended.
In the classroom, you will be exposed to the most up-to-date methods in economics. You will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art software and engage in independent research. Our dedicated, experienced and student-centered faculty are a great asset to you. Learning in small classes leads to personalized attention while you pursue your goals.
Outside of the classroom, you can work with faculty on research, serve as a department tutor and present your research at conferences both on and off-campus. The department also sponsors an Economics Club and has a local chapter of the national economic honor society, Omicron Delta Epsilon. The department has successfully competed in the Fed Challenge, a student-team panel competition sponsored annually by the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank.
Course work for Economics, B.S.
he Bachelor of Science degree is anchored by a strong core of required economics, mathematics, and statistics courses that provide a solid foundation of analytical and quantitative reasoning. Flexibility comes from selecting one of six concentrations to complement the economics foundation courses. Each concentration has been designed to meet the specific and interests of students focused upon a variety of career or professional options. By partnering with other disciplines, our students are assured of gaining insights from cross-disciplinary studies.
All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
- General Education: 45 - 47 credits
- Major Requirements: 42 - 46 credits
- Free Electives: 27 - 33 credits
- Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits
Course work for Business Concentration
This concentration combines a solid background in economics with a significant exposure to important business-related analytical and conceptual skills. By completing the business minor students will gain an appreciation for managerial decision making and develop an awareness of how business skills are applied. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.
Course work for Data Science Concentration
The B.S. in Economics and Data Science concentration provides students the foundation to employ the appropriate statistical techniques to help answer a wide variety of questions confronted by decision makers. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.
Course work for Mathematics Concentration
This concentration would be especially well-suited for students preparing for graduate study in economics, which has become increasingly focused upon mathematics and statistical analysis. Students are strongly encouraged to take ECON 484 Mathematical Economics and ECON 485 Econometrics as economics electives. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.
Course work for Political Science Concentration
This combination will be appropriate for students planning to pursue careers in government, business, law, or international relations. While combining some aspects of a traditional political economy approach, this concentration will also heighten students’ knowledge of the institutional and legal dimensions of major public policy debates. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.
Course work for Public Administration Concentration
This sequence of courses would prepare students for careers in the public sector at either the local, state, or federal level, as well as for graduate studies. Economics strongly complements the policy and institutional focus of public administration. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.
Course work for Social Science Concentration
Intended for students pursuing a broad based approach to understanding contemporary social issues, the social science concentration would be similar to traditional liberal arts or B.A. degree in economics. Students are encouraged to consider studying a foreign language as a purposeful use of some of their free elective credits. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.