Economics Major

Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in order to explain how economies work. Students in the economics major learn how to think critically, solve problems, work with numbers, in addition to a variety of other skills. The coursework in the program also provides a strong grounding in economic theory, which helps open unique career opportunities that involve policy analysis. Students pursuing economics gain valuable research experience that prepares them for graduate school or various careers in business. Eight Emphasis Options are available in Economics: Financial Economics, Business Economics, Econometrics, Economic Theory, Quantitative Economic History, Managerial Economics, Prelaw Economics, and International Economics and Trade.

Career Opportunities

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Students with a degree in economics often pursue the following career paths:

Meet an Economics Alum

Career Development

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At the Huntsman School, we believe in empowering our students to own their education and their careers. Career development opportunities start from the first day at the Huntsman School and continue throughout one's professional life.

Our professional career specialists are equipped with all the tools necessary to help you with interview prep, professional networking, job searching, and so much more!

Career Development Services

Curriculum

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• Students will receive a BS by completing all required courses in their major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.
• A dual major in economics and either finance or accounting is also available. Students meeting the requirements for the dual major can receive a BA or a BS. Talk to your academic advisor to find out more about completing a dual degree.

Emphasis Options:

An emphasis is not required.

• Financial Economics: This emphasis prepares students for quantitative careers in the field of finance – or for various graduate programs. The emphasis provides flexibility and allows students to focus their studies on different areas of financial economics including, but not limited to, corporate finance, investment analysis, and banking. Students also have the flexibility to focus their studies on financial markets and trading.
• Business Economics: This emphasis allows students to differentiate themselves within the broader economics curriculum by focusing more broadly in other areas of business. The curriculum for this emphasis allows students to gain exposure to accounting and management principles as well as finance within a business setting. The Business Economics Emphasis provides students the quantitative tools to work as a business analyst in various areas of the business.
• Econometrics and Data Analysis: This emphasis provides the opportunity for students to focus their studies more heavily on the quantitative side of economics. In this emphasis, students will gain econometric modeling skills and be exposed to cutting-edge analytical tools, including, but not limited to, machine learning and various forecasting methods. This emphasis will provide students the background to work in data science and analysis.
• Economic Theory: This emphasis prepares students to work directly after graduation or to pursue graduate study in economics, quantitative economic analysis, or other related research degrees. Students with this emphasis often become economists involved in policy analysis for governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
• Managerial Economics: This emphasis is for students planning for careers in business; it is useful for students planning to enter the job market upon graduation or as excellent preparation for students who intend to pursue a master of business administration (MBA) or master of public administration (MPA) among other graduate programs.
• Prelaw Economics: This emphasis is for students who plan to attend law school or pursue a career related to political science. The large number of elective credits included in this emphasis area provides enough flexibility for students to custom design their program of study to meet individual interests and educational goals. Several students have taken advantage of this flexibility to design a dual major in political science and in preparation for law school.
• International Economics and Trade: This emphasis was created because of the increased globalization and interdependence among countries. Students focus on managerial and leadership skills and on enhancing competency in navigating the global economy through focused training in the areas of international economics and trade.
• Quantitative Economic History: This emphasis prepares students for quantitative careers in business, finance, data science, and policy evaluation or for post-graduate education. The classes in the emphasis use history as a backdrop to develop the advanced critical thinking and analytical skills that are vital in today's data-driven marketplace.

Admission Requirements

To complete a degree in economics, students must first meet the admission requirements for the degree and be admitted into the degree program. Admission Requirements and Policies

Major Requirements

1. University Studies Requirements (General Education and Depth Requirements): A group of “general” courses required for each student to fulfill in order to graduate. These courses teach a broad range of skills, knowledge, and values that prepare students for success in their majors and in their personal and professional lives after graduation. Most students complete their University Studies requirements by their junior year.
2. Economics Major Requirements: A group of upper-level courses required to fulfill a respective major. These courses teach skills specific to the area of study in order for students to become specialized in their chosen field.

Academic Advising

Statewide Campus Advising

Students pursuing a distance education major must contact the advisors at their specific location.

Statewide Campus Advisors

Available Locations

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• Logan Main Campus
• Statewide Campuses: Beaver, Bicknell, Blanding, Brigham City, Castle Dale, Cortez, Delta, Ephraim, Grantsville, Junction, Kanab, Moab, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Monument Valley, Nephi, Panguitch, Park City, Richfield, Roosevelt (Uintah Basin), Tooele, Tremonton, USU Eastern (Price), Vernal (Uintah Basin), Wendover
• Online: The Huntsman Economcis Major is also available as a completely online major. For advising questions, students will still work with the Statewide campus they are physically closest to, unless they are out of state, and then they will work with Ruth Loveland, ruth.loveland@usu.edu.

USU Statewide Campuses