Economics
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Mississippi State University offers students a choice of two undergraduate degrees in economics. A Bachelor of Business Administration is available through the College of Business and Industry while a Bachelor of Arts can be earned through the College of Arts and Sciences. This unique availability of two separate degrees provides economics majors with the opportunity to pursue the college core curriculum that is most suited to their interests and career goals. As an academic discipline, economics is a science concerned with the decision making process, the behavior of firms, workers, and the performance of the nation's business system. All economics majors are required to complete courses in basic economic theory and then choose electives from a wide variety of specialized courses in the field. The careful selection of electives allows economics majors to tailor their degrees to match their career aspirations. An academic advisor is assigned to each economics major to help design an appropriate plan of study.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Economics examines all kinds of interesting questions in a logical and systematic way. Employers view the "economic approach" as an important element of a business education. Unlike some other majors, economics offers the graduate many options and a great deal of flexibility. Economics majors pursue careers in industry, trade, finance, law, government, and education. "Economist" is often included on lists of top paying occupations for the future. In recent years, the starting salaries for economics majors have been the highest among the traditional business administration and social science disciplines. Click here to learn more about the exciting possibilities and rewards of an economics career. A large proportion of students who receive a Bachelors degree in economics continue their studies in graduate school. An economics degree offers excellent preparation for an M.B.A. program and for law school. Below are a few of the career choices that an economics major may pursue:
- Business Consultant
- Sales Forecaster
- Investment Counselor
- Economic Analyst
- Trade Representative
- Market Researcher
- Budget Officer
- Government Economist
- Banker
- Graduate or Law School
A background in economics will equip you with versatile skills that will not become outdated. Additional career information can be obtained from any member of the economics faculty.
ECONOMICS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The specific courses required for a Bachelors degree in economics include the general University education requirements and the appropriate college core, plus: 1) Intermediate Macroeconomics, 2) Intermediate Microeconomics, 3) Economic Forecasting and Analysis, and 4) a minimum of 12 hours of upper division economics electives. Students may emphasize regional economics, business economics, labor economics, international economics, or general economics by selecting appropriate courses. Other majors may earn a minor in economics by completing any 15 hours of economics course work. Additional information is available from the departmental Economics advisors.
CURRICULUM GUIDES
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN ECONOMICS
The Department of Finance and Economics offers graduate degrees at both the masters and doctoral levels. While the department is an active particpant in the College of Business Master of Business Administration (MBA) program (complete information about the MBA is found on the Graduate Studies in Business website), students desiring to earn a more specialized advanced degree may choose the Master of Arts (M.A.) in economics program, or at the doctoral level, the Ph.D. in Applied Economics. For a look at where our recent doctoral graduates are working, visit this page.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact one of our economics advisors for additional information and to answer any questions.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Advisor:
Dr. Charles A. Campbell
332 McCool Hall
Phone: (662)325-7477
Bachelor of Business Administration Advisor:
Dr. R. Andrew Luccasen
323 McCool Hall
Phone: (662)325-1976
Economics Minor Advisor:
Dr. Rebecca J. Campbell
316 McCool Hall
Phone: (662)325-7473
