Economics (B.A./B.S.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Nicole Klein, Associate Director
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall
605-688-4141

Program Information

The major in Economics provides rigorous training in economic theory and quantitative methods. Students develop analytical and critical-thinking skills, and are well trained for careers in policy analysis, financial analysis, business, or law school. Students may choose the general economics major in which they will customize their program of study by selecting electives in economics, finance or policy, or they can pursue the specialization in Agricultural Economics through the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. This program also provides strong preparation for students pursuing a graduate degree in economics, law, or a related field.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will

Be able to use analytical methods to make effective decisions. (Cross-curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
Be able to communicate effectively. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
Be able to evaluate matters of ethics in the profession and the culture more broadly. (Cross-curricular Skills: Ethical Reasoning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Have the requisite body of knowledge in management and economics.

Academic Requirements

If a student chooses to double major in two majors offered through the Ness School of Management and Economics (Economics, Agricultural Business, Business Economics and Entrepreneurial Studies), the second major needs to have at least 18 credits that are distinct from the first major.

Course Delivery Format

The program offers courses on campus, with limited online coursework, usually during the summer.

Requirements for Economics Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 121-121L - Survey of Calculus and Lab (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 5 or
MATH 123 - Calculus I (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 13+

Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.
AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
ACCT 211 - Principles of Accounting II (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC 479 - Agricultural Policy Credits: 3
or ECON 413-513 - Macroeconomic Policy Credits: 3
or ECON 433-533 - Public Finance (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC, ECON, or FIN Electives (300-level or higher) Credits: 6
ECON 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 1
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
ECON 301 - Intermediate Microeconomics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 302 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 319 - Seminar with Industry Leaders Credits: 1
ECON 330 - Money and Banking (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 423 - Introduction to Econometrics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 428 - Mathematical Economics Credits: 3
ECON 485 - Economics Capstone Credits: 3 (Capstone)
ECON Electives (300-level or higher) Credits: 6

Supporting Coursework

ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) Credits: 3
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	31-32 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	47 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	6 Credit Hours
Electives**	32-33 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	31-32 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	13+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	47 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	6 Credit Hours
Electives**	28-29 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.