Economics and Finance

Economics

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Economics as the major field of concentration is designed to acquaint the student with the tools and techniques of economic analysis and the contribution of economic analysis to decision-making in the business firm and to society. Majoring in economics prepares students to analyze individual and firm decisions using research techniques, policymaking methods, and quantitative analysis. Microeconomics predominantly explores individual choices while macroeconomics focuses on the behaviors and interactions of large-scale entities, such as businesses, countries, and governments. An economics major puts students on a path for a wide range of careers, such as jobs in corporate finance, at financial institutions, and at the Federal Reserve, and also prepares students for graduate school programs including law school.

Students majoring in economics must choose one of the following three tracks:

Finance

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Finance as the major field of concentration focuses on the study of financial institutions, corporate finance, investment management, government, banking, insurance, and personal financial management. Emphasis is on the analysis and development of financial principles in all areas of financial decision-making, as well as career preparation as financial analysts in business and investment management, insurance and banking, and government service.  Students are also prepared to attain challenging finance industry designations, such as the CFA charter and the CFP certification.

Students majoring in finance must choose one of the following four tracks:

Finance and Technology (FinTech)

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Finance and Technology as the major field of concentration is designed for those students who have a strong interest in finance and a strong interest in learning about the areas of technology that impact finance-related firms. The FinTech program provides students with the opportunity to complete the rigorous core coursework of a traditional finance major while also developing a solid technical background to complement their finance knowledge. The program is designed to prepare those students interested in traditional and technology-oriented careers in finance.

International Business

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with International Business as the major field of concentration is designed for those students who desire a broad-based understanding of international business operations, primarily from the viewpoint of a U.S. business entity. It is also designed to provide an International Business perspective as related to the functional areas of business and to permit experiential learning in a specific world region through study abroad programs. Each student majoring in International Business must experience study abroad, with a minimum of six hours of study overseas, preferably in a region of foreign language expertise of the student. Course work abroad must include three credit hours of business, to be approved by the faculty advisor.

Minor in Economics

Faculty

Professors: Kristie N. Briggs, Lee M. Dunham, Ernest P. Goss, Randy D. Jorgensen, Diana W. Thomas, Kenneth M. Washer, John R. Wingender

Professor Emeritus: N. Vasudeva Murthy

Associate Professors: Charles B. Braymen, Edward J. Horwitz, Bradley T. Klontz, Colin O'Reilly, Tirimba Obonyo, Kathleen M. Sheehan, Michael D. Thomas, Melissa K. Woodley

Assistant Professor: Keith Olson

Instructors: Timothy Bastian, James Wingender