Consumer Economics

Overview

Students learn to predict outcomes of buying behavior and price changes. They also learn research methods for collecting data.

Consumer economics programs include topics such as:

• Micro-economic theory
• Macro-economic theory
• Consumer behavior and consumption of goods
• Economic forecasting
• Price theory

Consumer economics prepares students for a wide range of jobs including:

• Certified financial planning (CFP) for families and other consumers
• Social services provider
• Advocate for policies that support consumers
• Retail management

Schools

Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in consumer economics. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in consumer economics. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Business Economics
• Business, General
• Economics
• Family and Consumer Sciences, General
• Family Resource Management
• Finance
• Housing and Human Environments
• Marketing Research
• Political Science and Government
• Public Policy Studies
• Social Sciences, General
• Statistics

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Economists
• Farm and Home Management Advisors
• Market Research Analysts

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Financial Counselors

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

• Applied Math
• Business Computer Applications
• Business Math
• Consumer Economics and Personal Finance
• Consumer Law
• Economics

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General. Some schools may accept Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores as a substitute for GRE scores.

If your bachelor's degree is not in economics or family and consumer studies, you should take many courses in these and other related subjects. Such subjects might include:

• Anthropology
• History
• Sociology
• Psychology

You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

• Analytical Tools for Consumer Economists
• Business Law
• Consumer Behavior Theories
• Consumer Economics Policy
• Consumer Law
• Consumer Protection
• Consumer Sciences and Retailing
• Consumers' Market Environment
• Consumption Theories
• Economics of Consumption
• Family Demographics and Policy
• Family Economic Behavior and Policy
• Family Financial Counseling
• Family Financial Planning
• Introduction to Taxation
• Macroeconomic Principles
• Marketing Analysis
• Microeconomics: Theory with Applications
• Personal Finance
• Risk Management

Graduate Program Courses

Course work in graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree varies. However, the typical outline of a graduate school curriculum usually looks like the following:

• Required core courses
• Thesis and thesis defense (master's degree only)
• Preliminary oral and written exams (doctoral degree only)
• Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree only)

Things to Know

Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations. Although internships are not required in this program of study, they are a way to meet prospective employers and acquire references.

Schools

No information available.