Economics

The Economics Department in the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics occupies a unique position in the academic curriculum. It is a social science concerned with choices made by individuals and society regarding resource allocation. At the same time, economics is essential to understanding the business world and provides the foundation for applications in accounting, finance, management and marketing. Economics students learn economic theory and quantitative methods that provide them with analytical skills and tools of empirical investigation. The Economics Department offers three degree programs, a bachelor's of business administration, a bachelor of art or science from the College of Letters and Sciences or a bachelor of science in education from the College of Education. Economics majors can choose an emphasis in government and business, international economics, health economics, labor economics, money and banking, environmental economics, urban and public finance or managerial economics.

An Economics education opens up opportunities for career paths in business, government, non-governmental and nonprofit organizations, journalism and education. Economics is valuable as a major or minor for those planning to pursue further professional training in areas such as law, public policy and administration, industrial and labor relations and international relations. Students who are considering graduate work in economics or related business disciplines should consider a minor in mathematics or a double major in economics and mathematics. Our programs prepare students for admission to graduate school in economics, law, business administration, public administration and other disciplines. Our programs also allow students to choose among various career objectives. Economists hold a wide variety of jobs in state, local and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and in business, banking and teaching. Banking & Finance-One's knowledge of economics will provide valuable tools for applications and advancement. Economic Journalism - Economists who can write well may find the growing area of economic journalism to their liking. Business - An understanding of the workings of a market economy is essential for an understanding of one's business. Government Service - Few disciplines provide skills of comparable power and usefulness in the shaping of public policy. Economists are in demand and will remain so. Teaching of Economics - The teaching of economics in secondary schools has been increasing in recent years and this change is broadening the market for teachers of economics. Economists hold a startlingly wide variety of jobs in local, state, and federal government agencies.

Economics is a fascinating and challenging social science that deals with such issues as resource allocation, the efficiency of economic factors, inflation, unemployment, discrimination, economic growth, pollution and poverty. These problems affect us as members of society concerned with how our economic system functions and as individuals concerned about our own jobs, wages, taxes and the cost of living. Economics is about choice - how to make rational choices between competing uses of scarce resources in light of social and personal values and needs. One of the main reasons to study economics is that it develops a method of thinking and analysis that can be applied to a variety of different fields. The Department provides majors with courses in a variety of areas to allow students to choose among various career objectives and also prepare them for admission to graduate school in economics, law, business administration, public administration, and other disciplines. The program provides a strong functional emphasis with a variety of concentrations within economics - money and banking, public finance, international trade and finance, economic development, quantitative economics, labor economics, transportation, regional/urban economics, managerial economics, comparative economic systems, and industrial organization. The Center for Economic Education is housed in the Economics Department. Its mission is to help elementary, middle school, and secondary teachers. The Center provides the UW-Whitewater region with "in-service" and "credit" courses in economic education.

The Department provides majors with courses in a variety of areas to allow students to choose among various career objectives and also prepare them for admission to graduate school in economics, law, business administration, public administration, and other disciplines. The program provides a strong functional emphasis with a variety of concentrations within economics - money and banking, public finance, international trade and finance, economic development, quantitative economics, labor economics, transportation, regional/urban economics, managerial economics, comparative economic systems, and industrial organization. The Center for Economic Education is housed in the Economics Department. Its mission is to help elementary, middle school, and secondary teachers. The Center provides the UW-Whitewater region with "in-service" and "credit" courses in economic education.

Placement The average starting salary for Economics graduates is in the upper twenties. The placement rate has remained consistently high with the most current information showing an 85 percent placement rate in the field. A partial list of employers of recent graduates includes: • Boston Department Store • FDIC • IBM • JC Penney • Kmart • M&I Bank

A major in economics can be earned in the BBA program in the College of Business and Economics, the BA and BS programs in the College of Letters and Sciences, and the BS program in the College of Education. In all cases 30 credits of economics are required, including: Three principles courses _ Business Statistics _ Intermediate Microeconomics & Macroeconomics _ The History of Economic Thought In the College of Business and Economics a set of core courses is required (see the UW-Whitewater Bulletin), as well as the university's general studies and breadth requirements. In the College of Letters and Sciences, the general studies and breadth requirements must be fulfilled, and you must have a minor. Among recommended minors are math and finance, but students may choose from any minor offered on campus.