Economics

Overview

Economics is the study of the production, conservation, and distribution of goods and services.

Economics programs include topics such as:

Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Money and banking systems
Public policy
Econometrics

Concentrations

In economics programs, students may be able to concentrate in:

Labor economics
International economics
Development economics
Quantitative economics
Applied economics

Concentrations are more common in graduate programs. A concentration with an international focus may require that students learn a second language.

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in economics. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Most colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in economics. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in 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

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

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:

Advanced English Composition courses
Advanced U.S. History courses
Advanced World History courses
Calculus
Economics
Pre-Calculus
Probability and Statistics
Second Language

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation
Bachelor's degree or significant course work in economics

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Econometrics
Economic History of the United States
Fundamentals of Accounting
Intermediate Microeconomics
Intermediate Macroeconomics
International Business
Investment Analysis
Managerial Economics
Money and Banking
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Public Finance
Statistics
Theories of Economic Development
Wage and Price Theory

In addition, you take different economics courses depending on your interests. Some examples of courses are:

Capitalist Economies
Comparative Economic Systems
Development Economics
Economic Geography
Healthcare Economics
Industrial Organizations and Development
International Banking and Finance
International Law and Politics
International Trade
Labor Economics
Law and Economics
Psychology and Economics
Socialist and Communist Economies

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate study in economics typically includes:

Required courses
Thesis (master's degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Things to Know

A bachelor's degree in economics is a good starting point for further study in law, business, public administration, international studies, and managerial science.

With a degree in economics, you can work for banks, businesses, investment firms, health care organizations, and insurance companies. You can use your research skills and knowledge about finances to work for a nonprofit group as a policy analyst. You can work for the US Treasury Department or the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Often economics and business students take the same courses.

Studying abroad is often an option in international economics programs.