Economics, BA

Introduction

Economists provide insight into how societies organize provisioning, meaning how people provide for their material needs and wants. This provisioning process involves interaction among (1) businesses who produce goods and services; (2) government agencies and public policies that set the rules for economic activity and provide public goods; (3) the non-profit sector that seeks to meet neglected needs; and, of course, (4) people who work for a living, raise families, contribute to their communities, and seek to enjoy their lives. Much, but not all, of this economic activity involves buying and selling through market exchanges. 

Stockton’s Economics program provides a broad understanding of a variety of theories and approaches to understanding the complexities of economic life. As a result, students can develop their own perspectives on economic policy debates in the news and be prepared to analyze the impact of the economy on their daily lives. An important goal of the Economics program at Stockton is to provide students with competence in the discipline, as well as essential skills in critical thinking, data analysis, research, and communication. Because economic activity increasingly crosses national boundaries, all Economics majors will take classes that incorporate material designed to enhance their global awareness. 

Career Opportunities

Stockton’s Economics program is practical and flexible. Economics majors and minors develop a portable set of skills, making economics the pathway to a diverse array of careers in business analytics, banking and financial services, government program administration, public policy formation and advocacy, journalism and media, college teaching, and economic research and analysis. The relative scarcity of Economics majors compared with other majors, both nationwide and at Stockton, draws a premium in the labor market. The recent employment opportunities for economists with undergraduate degrees have been better than for many other majors in part because Economics majors have broad training to adjust to changes in labor market dynamics. Studying economics trains students to utilize, interpret, and write about quantitative data—highly desirable skills for employers. 

Economics majors have several options for graduate studies as well. Some graduates pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in Economics in order to pursue a career in advanced research, public policy analysis, or college-level teaching. An Economics major is also excellent preparation for those who intend to pursue graduate study in business administration, public administration, urban planning, international relations, or any of the social sciences. Economics majors also stand out among law school applicants. Finally, some Economics majors have gone on to obtain teaching certifications in social studies, financial literacy, and business studies. 

Program Organization

Completion of an Economics major at Stockton requires 10 courses in Economics – seven courses in the core curriculum and three electives. The components of the core curriculum for General Economics majors include the following: two course introductory sequence, two courses in the intermediate theory core and three courses in the economic methods core. 

At the discretion of the Economics Program, a maximum of four courses may be transferred and applied toward the Economics degree. All transfer students must, however, take the following four Economics courses at Stockton: Econometrics (ECON 3610), History of Economic Thought (ECON 3605), Senior Seminar (ECON 4695), and one of the three core intermediate theory courses: Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 3602), Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 3601), or Political Economy (ECON 3636). In the event a transfer student has taken one of these four courses, the student’s Economics preceptor may, at his/her discretion, make appropriate accommodation.  With their Economics preceptor’s permission, students transferring two introductory courses and two intermediate theory courses may count one of the intermediate courses as a 2000-level elective course. Such students must still take one core intermediate theory course at Stockton. 

Economics Program Electives

The remaining three elective program courses can be drawn from other Economics Program course offerings or non-class instruction, including independent studies, research opportunities, internships, or other individualized instruction, in consultation with a student’s preceptor.  At least one of the three courses (4 credits) must be at the 3000 level . Note that ECON 1120 (Economics of Social Welfare) is designed for non-majors and does not count towards an Economics major.  Economics majors can also pursue an economics internship in place of one of the three electives.  All internship projects will have to be approved by the program’s designated internship coordinator.  Students wanting to do an ECON internship will be required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Cognates

Completing an Economics major requires 24 additional credits in Economics or related fields called Cognates. The study of economics is interdisciplinary; economics courses are well supplemented by courses from such fields as political science, sociology, anthropology, finance, public (business) law, philosophy and introductory psychology. These cognate options are automatically programmed into Stockton’s online degree audit system. Economics Program preceptors assist Economics majors in selecting courses from these fields to broaden the student’s understanding of the social and political implications of economics. Students with specific concentrations may incorporate alternative cognate courses, in consultation with his/her Economics preceptor. 

Graduation Requirements

Every student is expected to complete satisfactorily 64 program and cognate credits as described under Program Organization, in addition to meeting the University’s General Studies requirements. All majors must have a cumulative C (mean) average across all their Economics (ECON) courses and a C or higher in Senior Seminar (ECON 4695). 

Concentrations

Global Economics Concentration

Some Economics majors choose electives that enable them to focus their study on the global economy. Course work within the concentration will make students aware of major international issues and international economic problems and demonstrate how domestic policy must go beyond the parochial or national levels to assure real progress.

In addition to the seven core courses in the General Economics curriculum, students selecting the Global Economics Concentration must include two of three concentration elective courses at the 3000-level and one concentration cognate. 

Economic Policy Concentration

The Economic Policy Concentration is for students intending a career as an economic policy analyst or advocate. Such positions may be in federal, state, or local government or with nonprofit policy research and advocacy organizations. 

In addition to the seven core courses in the General Economics curriculum, students selecting the Economic Policy Concentration must complete three concentration electives (one each from three separate groups). 

Pre-Graduate School Concentration

The Economics Program has a recommended concentration for students planning to attend graduate school in economics or a related field. Students in the General Economics major can also pursue graduate studies but should work with their Economics preceptor in selecting appropriate cognates. They should also strongly consider a minor in Mathematics or at minimum two semesters of Calculus. Some economics graduate programs are open to applicants with less mathematical preparation; students wanting advice on the best programs for their skills and interests should consult with their preceptor. 

Students electing the Pre-Graduate School Concentration should complete all the requirements for the General Economics major; however, they should complete all three courses offered in the intermediate theory core. They should also take one course emphasizing applied statistics. In addition, Calculus I and II (MATH 2215/2216) should be completed as part of the student’s cognates. 

Students in the concentration who are applying for doctoral studies in Economics are advised to complete the MATH minor by taking these additional sequenced courses as cognates: MATH 2217 (Calculus III), MATH 3325 (Foundations of Mathematics), and MATH 3323 (Linear Algebra). For the strongest preparation, MATH 3328 (Differential Equations) is also advised. 

Pre-Law Concentration

Many law schools view economics as rigorous preparation for the study of law. Some Economics majors who plan to attend law school pursue a minor in Political Science or even a double major in the two disciplines.  

Students electing the Pre-Law Concentration should complete all the requirements for the General Economics major. In addition, they should complete two required cognates and two concentration elective cognates. 

Admission to the Program

The program is open to all students. Each student majoring in Economics is assigned a program preceptor for regular consultation about course selection, career planning, and general academic progress. 

Graduation with Distinction

A Bachelor of Arts degree with Distinction in Economics will be awarded to those students who meet all of the following criteria: 1) 70% A or A- grades in program and cognate course work; 2) B+ average in Economic course work; and 3) senior thesis or project judged academically excellent by participating Economics Program faculty. Only Stockton courses will be reviewed for this distinction. 

Minor in Economics

Students may obtain a minor in Economics if they successfully complete at least 20 credits in Economics with passing grades, including ECON 1200 and ECON 1400. At least two of the other courses (a) must be at the 3000-level or higher and (b) may not be transferred from another institution. Economics minors can pursue an economic internship in place of one of the three electives only at a select list of institutions specified by the program. All internships and projects will have to be approved by the program’s designated internship coordinator. 

Full details about the curriculum can be accessed on the Economics website.