Undergraduate Bulletin > Economics
Department of Economics
Faculty
Stuart D. Allen, Professor and Head of Department
Professors Link, Neufeld, Ribar, Ruhm
Associate Professors Bearse, Holland, Layson, Leyden, McCrickard (Associate Dean), Snowden (Director of Graduate Studies)
Assistant Professors Courtemanche, Swann
Lecturers Brod (Director of Office of Business and Economics Research), Hayek, Sarbaum, Sheran
Mission Statement
The Department of Economics supports the teaching, research, and service missions of the University and the Bryan School of Business and Economics. The Department’s undergraduate courses and programs prepare students for the competitive global marketplace, career and professional development, and graduate education. Its innovative graduate programs, the M.A. in Applied Economics and the Ph.D. in Economics with a focus on applied microeconomics, provide students with a mastery of advanced empirical and analytical methods so they can conduct high-quality research and contribute to the knowledge base in business, government, nonprofit, and research settings. The Department conducts high-quality nationally recognized research that supports its academic programs, promotes economic understanding, and fosters economic development in the Triad and the state.
The Department of Economics provides students with an understanding of economic principles, concepts, and institutions, and the ability to analyze economic problems and public policy issues. Economics is a social science concerned with public policy issues such as pollution and the environment, the health system, central bank policy and inflation, unemployment, the productivity of the labor force, economic growth, and international trade and finance.
The Department of Economics offers two undergraduate degrees through the Bryan School of Business and Economics: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). The B.S. degree builds on a comprehensive business foundation by teaching students how to apply economic reasoning and analysis to a variety of business and economic issues. Students may select a concentration in financial economics by substituting certain economics and finance courses for economics electives. Students can choose to double major in other business programs. The B.A. degree builds on a comprehensive liberal arts education in the sciences, humanities, and arts by teaching students how to apply economic reasoning and analysis to a variety of economic policy issues. Students can choose to double major in the liberal arts, the social sciences, or the natural sciences.
A B.A. or B.S. degree in economics provides students with enhanced access to the job market and to graduate and professional education. Additional statistical and quantitative course work allows students to develop research skills and computer expertise that are important for entry into the job market and graduate programs.
The Department of Economics offers a Master of Arts degree in Applied Economics that provides students with the theoretical and statistical training to enter the job market as professional economists employable by financial institutions, health organizations, consulting firms, research organizations, and government agencies.
The Department of Economics also offers qualified students the opportunity to accelerate their study of economics by taking M.A. courses for graduate credit during their senior year. See Accelerated Master's Programs for Undergraduates for details. The program enables students the opportunity to earn the M.A. degree in one additional year of study.
Teacher licensure is also available for economics majors (see Teacher Education Programs).
Student Learning Goals
Critical thinking, quantitative analysis, communication skills, and economic reasoning are highly valued in the competitive global economy. In order to prepare our students for their careers and possible future graduate work, our B.A. and B.S. graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of intermediate microeconomic theory
- Demonstrate knowledge of intermediate macroeconomic theory
- Use mathematical and statistical skills to analyze economic problems
- Apply economic theory and analytical skills in economics field courses
- Effectively communicate how to use economic concepts and principles to address economic problems
