|
THE MAJOR
The Economics
major is a department within the College
of Business. For more information about Business majors at JMU, view the COB's promotional video.
JMU
Concentrations:
Environmental & Natural
Resource, Financial, International, Political Economy, Socioeconomics
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSECON.shtml
Description of Major
The Department of Economics offers major programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Economics. For all three degrees, concentrations are available in Financial Economics, Socioeconomics, International Economics, Political Economy, and Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. A minor in Economics is also offered. Students learn about the allocation of scarce resources, the structure of industries, the distribution of income, the determinants of unemployment and inflation, the structure of international trade and finance, and the role of government in the economy. The programs are designed to prepare students for a wide range of potential careers in financial services, consulting firms, health care industries, manufacturing firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Students also gain a sound basis for graduate study in economics, law, business administration, social services, public policy and international relations. If a student wants to pursue either BA or BS degree, he or she needs to make an appointment with the Program Director to discuss his/her degree plans. A formal approval from the Economics Program Director is necessary to become an economics major with BA or BS degree. If a student pursues a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics in the College of Business, it is necessary to formally apply for admission and to complete, successfully, lower-level business requirements. Students interested in pursuing a business major are encouraged to begin taking lower-division business courses as early as possible. It is highly recommended that students pursuing an economics major finish their math and statistics requirements during the first year.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Economics is the science that examines many of society's most fundamental and controversial issues. Among these are the strengths and the limitations of market-based systems of production and distribution, the creation and distribution of wealth, the appropriate role of government in the economy, the incidence and alleviation of poverty, methods of preserving environmental quality, the determinants of economic growth, business cycles, inflation and unemployment. It should be recognized, however, that economics is not a body of fixed conclusions and policy prescriptions. Rather, economics is a method, or a technique for thinking, which helps one draw sound inferences about difficult and often confusing problems. The economics major is designed to provide students with the understanding of these concepts so that they can be applied in alternative paths that lead to careers in business, government, nonprofit, or education.
Tell
me more about specializations in this field.
Economists study the operation of markets for goods, services and resources and analyze the structure of institutions such as banks, the stock market, and labor unions. People who have studied economics also deal with problems arising from inflation, taxes and international trade. There are various specializations including: Economic Theory in which mathematical models are developed to explain causes of inflation, unemployment, or recessions; Economic History; International Economics; Industrial Economics, Natural Resource Economics; Labor Economics and Regional Studies.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Some common combinations may be English, Environmental Studies, Finance, History, International Affairs, International Business, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Philosophy, Communication, Political Science, Public Policy and Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, or Urban and Regional Studies.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Students who have the ability to perform well in written and oral expression, can think analytically and logically and have good quantitative skills do well in this field.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
|
