Economics

J. Horowitz, Interim Chairperson

bsu.edu/economics

Economics explores how people and societies manage resources through exchange and market interactions. It provides tools to analyze a wide range of issues in business, society, and politics, from business strategies to social welfare programs. Economics graduates pursue diverse careers in sectors like business, government, law, and education, spanning industries such as finance, healthcare, and consulting. According to indeed.com, economics is among the 10 Most Lucrative College Majors, based on average first year salaries.

The Department of Economics offers courses in a variety of topics including microeconomics, macroeconomics, money and banking, public finance, labor economics, health economics, international economics, economic development, game theory, and econometrics. Economics majors often double major in related fields such as accounting, actuarial science, finance, management, marketing, mathematics, and political science. For information on the many careers available to economics majors and minors, go to the departmental Web site www.bsu.edu/economics.

Students majoring in economics may choose from two concentrations and an interdepartmental major in mathematical economics.

• Business concentration: Designed for students planning careers in business especially in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and business analytics. This option requires completion of the core business classes and students can choose from a wide variety of economics classes. 
  
  
• Liberal arts concentration: Students in this concentration have the following options: 1) general economics, 2) law and economics, 3) financial economics, 4) health economics and public policy, and 5) political economy. This concentration does not require completion of the core business classes and students can choose from a wide variety of economics classes based on the option they choose.
  
  
• Mathematical economics: This interdepartmental major is offered in conjunction with the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Mathematical economics prepares students for careers as data analysts and for graduate work in economics or related fields. A mathematical economics major also facilitates a double major in either mathematical economics and actuarial science or mathematical economics and mathematical sciences (See Interdepartmental Programs).

An economics minor can be paired with any major in Ball State University’s catalog. An economics minor (18 credits) includes an overview of microeconomics and macroeconomics, plus electives from the economics core curriculum.

 
Students in the Teaching Major in Social Studies may also select economics as a licensing area.