2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Oct 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus


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Students in an economics class.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Nicole Klein, Associate Director
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall 100
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. 

Course Delivery Format

The program offers courses on campus, with limited online coursework.

Student Learning Outcomes


Graduates will:

  • Be able to use analytical methods to make effective decisions.
  • Be able to communicate effectively.
  • Be able to evaluate matters of ethics in the profession and the culture more broadly.
  • Have the requisite body of knowledge in management and economics.

Academic Requirements


Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in ECON 485 - Economics Capstone .

If a student chooses to double major in two or more majors offered through the Ness School of Management and Economics, each major needs to have at least 15 credits that are distinct from the other major(s).

Requirements for Economics Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements


College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


  • One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. 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: 6+

  • Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+ 

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 10+

  • Natural Sciences  Credits: 10+
    • Any two lab sciences.
    • Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
    • MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.

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 and Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Arts

System General Education Requirements* 28-29 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements** 6+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 50 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework 6 Credit Hours
Electives*** 35-36 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements* 28-29 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements** 10+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 50 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework 6 Credit Hours
Electives*** 31-32 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**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.