BA in Economics
The Economics BA - Business Economics major gives students a foundation in all facets of economics with supporting coursework in Business. This major provides excellent preparation for both joining the workforce and applying to graduate programs.
The BA in Economics - Business Economics, coursework may include: public policy, international business, game theory, industrial organization, cost-benefit analysis, environmental economics, finance, and management.
Economics BA students typically work in business and industry, set up their own businesses, go to law school, or undertake master's programs in the US and abroad.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
CLA offers three Economics majors that are part of a BA degree and one that is part of a BS degree. Each major has a specific set of foundational courses that prepare you for that major.
Effective Fall 2024, the BA Economics major and BA Economics - Business Economics Emphasis have three foundational courses that are required for these majors:
- ECON 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 1102 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- MATH 1142 - Short Calculus or MATH 1271 - Calculus I
The BA Economics - Quantitative Emphasis major and the BS Economics major have four foundational courses that are required for these majors:
- ECON 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 1102 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- MATH 1271 - Calculus I
- MATH 1272 - Calculus II
Depending on your level of math skills, you may need to complete prerequisite math courses before you can take MATH 1271.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the Economics declaration process on the Declaring an Economics Major page.
BA Second Language Requirement
The BA degree does have a second language requirement. Consider completing or starting your second language before you transfer to CLA. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- Economics Department Advising - The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and economics majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include strong quantitative reasoning abilities, statistical analysis abilities, analytical thinking and attention to detail, and ability to model economic behavior.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "IAS" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
Student Groups
- Economics Mentorship Club
- Economics Student Organization
- Investment Banking Club
- Investing Club at UMN
Professional Organizations
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Finance Intern - State Street
- Quality Assurance Intern - Concrete Software, Inc.
- Sales Representative - University Directories
- Finance and Marketing Intern
- Life Insurance Sales Agent Intern - China Life Insurance Co. Ltd
- Category Management Intern - Kellogg Company
- FEB Intern - Minnesota Federal Executive Board
- Trade Services Intern - French-American Chamber of Commerce MN
- Assessment and Taxes Intern
- Sales and Category Management Intern - Land O'Lakes Inc.
- CPDS Logistics - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
- Sales Intern, Digital River
- Business Intelligence and Market Analysis Intern, Allinga Consulting Group
- Accounting Intern, US Bank
- Brokerage Intern, River Realty
- Finance Intern, Pentair
- Commercial Banking Intern, US Bank
- Auditing Intern, TADS
- Financial Analyst Intern, General Mills
- Sweepstakes Intern - Young America
- Marketing Intern - Keller Williams Integrity Realty
- Marketing Intern - Jumper Cable Marketing
- Account/Strategic Planning Intern - Barkley
Entry-Level
- Bankruptcy Specialist - Ally Financial Inc.
- Sales Transaction Associate - Best Buy
- Guest Service Agent - Caesar's Entertainment Corporation
- Staffing Consultant - Randstad
- Business Development Representative - Epicor Software
- Accounts Payable Specialist - US Bank
- Media Analyst - McCann Worldgroup
- Customer Development Analyst - Unilever
- Financial Advisor - Ameriprise Financial Services Inc.
- Financial Planning Associate - Ameriprise Financial Services Inc.
- Financial Representative - Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
- Client Support Associate - Ameriprise Financial Services Inc.
- Research Associate - National Propane Gas Association
- Outside Sales Representative - B&F Fastener Supply
- Accounting Assistant - New Century Business Service Inc.
- Project Director - Maritz Research
- Sales Analyst - Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
- Deduction Analyst - Eaton Corporation
- Project Manager - Epic
- Business Development Representative - Epicor Software Corp
Experienced
- Billing Specialist - SPS Commerce
- Benefit Design - Prime Therapeutics
- Director - Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
- Insurance Account Representative - State Farm
- Senior Assistant Brand Manager - Unilever
- International Purchasing Coordinator - Polaris Industries
- Search Strategist - Publicis Groupe
- Lead Client Support Associate - Ameriprise Financial Services Inc.
- Athletic Specialist - JCC
- Media Strategist - McCann Worldgroup
- Advertising and Accounting Assistant - J. Patterson Construction
- Logistics Planning Manager - Goldstar Transportation
- Senior Analyst - Kellogg Company
- Credit Analyst - Eaton-Hydraulics Business
- Financial Consultant - Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
- Billing Analyst - SPS Commerce
- Inside Sales Representative - IdentiSys
- Tax Processor - RSM US LLP
- Senior Assistant Customer & Channel Development Manager - Unilever
- Supply & Production Planner - Syngenta
- Supply Chain Analyst - Adidas group
- Consultant - ARPC
- Credit and Collections Representative - EFI
- Senior Billing Analyst - SPS Commerce
- Associate Category Management Manager - Unilever
- Supply Chain Planner - Land O'Lakes Inc.
- Management Consulting Analyst - Accenture
- Manager - Ankura Consulting Group
- Credit Analyst - Andersen Corporation
- Agency Owner - TUOPU Luxury Travel
- Junior Strategic Analyst - Team One
Graduate Programs
- MA, Communication Management - University of Southern California
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Big Data Analyst Intern, Joycity Corporation
- Merchandise Analyst Intern, Kohls
- Healthcare Analytics Analyst - Intern, Marshfield Clinic Healthcare System
- IT Portfolio Operations Intern, Excel Energy
- Data Science Intern, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- Operations Analyst Intern, Optum
- Linguistics Tester, Apple
- Data Analysis Intern - FRWD Co
- Research Scientist, Pfizer
Entry-Level
- Joycity Corporation
- Policy Service Technician/Rater Trainee - Berkley Risk Administrators
- Data Analyst - Tarleton State University
Experienced
- Software Developer - Collaborative Consulting
- Sr. Engineering and Scientific Recruiter - Experis (Manpower Group)
- Associate IT Specialist
- Junior Scientist - University of Minnesota*
- Underwriting Assistant/Data Quality Analyst - Trean Corporation & Benchmark Insurance Company
- Net Developer - Codeworks. Inc.*
- Business Intelligence Analyst/Report Developer - Trean Corporation
- Software Engineer - Guaranty Bank FSB*
- Data Scientist - Center for Agribusiness Excellence (CAE)-RMA-USDA*
- Software Engineer - Red Arrow Labs*
- Senior Associate, Decision Sciences - Capital One
Graduate Programs
- MA, Mathematics with Emphasis on Data Mining, Mathematics and Statistics - Tarleton State University - Texas A&M
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- Corps Member - City Year
- LSO Senior Representative - Capella University
- English Teacher, People Team
Experienced
- ESOL and Civics Instructor - New American Integration Program
- English Teaching Assistant - Fulbright
- Bilingual Administrative Assistant - National Council of La Raza
- Tutor - The Tutoring Center, Fitchburg
- High School Social Studies Teacher - Edgerton High School
- LSO Specialist - Capella University
Graduate Programs
- Accelerated Secondary Licensure Program, Broadfield Social Studies - Edgewood College
- MS, Psychology - Capella University
- MA, Communication Management - University of Southern California
- MA, Mathematics with Emphasis on Data Mining, Mathematics and Statistics - Tarleton State University - Texas A&M