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Economics

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Minor

The Economics Program

At its core, Economics is about problem solving with the goal of improving quality of life. The Economics major focuses on the analytical and statistical tools used by economists and applying these tools to real-world problems. Students gain a logical framework to understand individual, corporate, and government decision-making, as well as the workings of the broader economy.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Economics?

A degree in Economics prepares students for a variety of careers in banking and finance, insurance, consulting, forecasting and research in both the private and public sector. Our graduates possess quantitative skills that make them well-prepared to pursue a Ph.D. and Master’s degree.

What are the benefits of a major in Economics?

Our Economics majors gain strong analytical and statistical skills within the context of a coherent theoretical framework. These skills are widely transferable to a variety of fields in the corporate world and public sector. Our students are well-prepared for graduate study in Economics, Statistics, Analytics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Law and more. 

In addition to the B.A. and B.S. in Economics, we offer a degree in Business Economics and a double major in Economics and Mathematics.

Our Business Economics major combines our Business Administration and Economics degrees. This major is ideal for students who wish to pursue a career in the corporate world directly after graduation.

Our double-major in Economics-Mathematics is specifically designed to prepare students to successfully complete a Ph.D. in Economics, and our graduates have a strong track record of completing degrees at top graduate programs.

What are the benefits of a minor in Economics?

By completing a minor Economics, students add to their analytical and statistical skill set while learning the framework of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. These additional skills increase the value of our students in the job market and prepare them for graduate studies.

Curriculum Requirements

  • Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Economics

    Economics Major Requirements - B.A. (44 credits)
    BA 350 Statistics I and BA 350A Excel Lab (sophomore year) - 4 credits
    EC 101 Principles of Microeconomics (freshman year) - 3 credits
    EC 102 Principles of Macroeconomics (freshman year) - 3 credits
    EC 201 Microeconomic Theory (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 310 Labor Theory - 3 credits
    EC 351 International Trade and Development - 3 credits
    EC/BA 353 International Finance - 3 credits
    EC 360 Econometrics and EC 361 R Lab (sophomore year) - 4 credits
    EC 380 Game Theory - 3 credits
    EC 390 Experimental Economics - 3 credits
    EC 480 Senior Thesis - 3 credits
    MA 109/111 Calculus I - 4 credits
    CORE 1201: American Regime

  • Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Economics

    Economics Major Requirements - B.S. (53 Credits)
    BA 350 Statistics I and BA 350A Excel Lab - 4 credits or MA 208 Probability and Statistics - 3 credits
    EC 101 Principles of Microeconomics (freshman year) - 3 credits
    EC 102 Principles of Macroeconomics (freshman year) - 3 credits
    EC 201 Microeconomic Theory (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 310 Labor Theory - 3 credits
    EC 351 International Trade and Development - 3 credits
    EC/BA 353 International Finance - 3 credits
    EC 360 Econometrics - 3 credits
    EC 380 Game Theory - 3 credits
    EC 390 Experimental Economics - 3 credits
    EC 401 Advanced Microeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 402 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 480 Senior Thesis - 3 credits
    MA 109/111 Calculus I - 4 credits
    MA 110/112 Calculus II - 4 credits
    PS 100 Principles of American Politics - 3 credits

    Candidates for the B.S. degree who plan to pursue graduate work in economics, finance or related disciplines are strongly encouraged to complete, at minimum, Calculus III, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra. Consult with a member of the departmental faculty for further assistance in planning course work.

  • Requirements for a Major in Business Economics

    Business Economics Major Requirements - B.S. (70 credits)

    Business Core (45 credits)
    BA 100 Financial Accounting I (freshman year) - 3 credits
    BA 170 Organizational Behavior (freshman year) - 3 credits
    BA 220 Principles of Marketing (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    BA 265 Management Information Systems (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    BA 305 Business Ethics (junior year preferred) - 3 credits
    BA 320 Corporate Finance I (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    BA 340 Business Law (junior year) - 3 credits
    BA 350/BA 350A Statistics I (sophomore year) + Excel Lab - 4 credits
    BA 351/BA 351A Statistics II (sophomore year) + Excel Lab - 4 credits 
    BA 495 Business Policy and Strategy (senior year) - 3 credits
    EC 101 Principles of Microeconomics (freshman year) - 3 credits
    EC 102 Principles of Macroeconomics (freshman year) - 3 credits
    PS 100 Principles of American Politics - 3 credits
    MA 109/111 Calculus I (freshman year) - 4 credits
    BA 00P ePortfolio Requirement (semester of graduation--pass/fail)

    Economics Major requirements (27 credits)
    BA 101 Financial Accounting II (freshman year) - 3 credits
    BA 321 Corporate Finance II (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 201 Microeconomic Theory (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 310 Labor Theory - 3 credits
    EC 351 International Trade and Development - 3 credits
    EC/BA 353 International Finance - 3 credits
    EC 360 Econometrics (sophomore year) - 3 credits
    EC 380 Game Theory - 3 credits

  • Requirements for a Major in Economics and Mathematics

    Economics Requirements (50 credits)
    BA 350 Statistics I or MA 208 Probability and Statistics - 3 credits
    EC 101 Principles of Microeconomics - 3 credits
    EC 102 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 credits
    EC 201 Microeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 310 Labor Theory - 3 credits
    EC 351 International Trade and Development - 3 credits
    EC 360 Econometrics - 3 credits
    EC 380 Game Theory - 3 credits
    EC 390 Experimental Economics - 3 credits
    EC 401 Advanced Microeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 402 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 480 Senior Thesis - 3 credits
    MA 111 Calculus I - 4 credits
    MA 112 Calculus II - 4 credits
    PS 100 Principles of American Politics - 3 credits

    Mathematics Requirements (29 credits)
    MA 211 Calculus III - 4 credits
    MA 212 Ordinary & Partial Differential Equations - 4 credits
    MA 251 Linear Algebra - 3 credits
    MA 321 Complex Variables - 3 credits
    MA 421 Real Analysis I - 4 credits
    MA 422 Real Analysis II - 4 credits
    PH 111 General Physics I - 3 credits
    PH 113 General Physics I Lab - 1 credit
    PH 112 General Physics II - 3 credits
    PH 114 General Physics II Lab - 1 credit



    A programming course, EC 353 International Finance and MA 207 Real Analysis II are strongly suggested.

  • Requirements for a Minor in Economics

    Minor in Economics (19 credits) Requirement:

    EC 101 Principles of Microeconomics - 3 credits
    EC 102 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 credits
    EC 201 Microeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    BA 350/BA 350A Business Statistics I + Excel Lab - 4 credits

    Plus one elective (3 credits) from the following offerings:

    EC 310 Labor Theory - 3 credits
    EC 351 International Trade and Development - 3 credits
    EC 353 International Finance - 3 credits
    EC 360 Econometrics - 3 credits
    EC 380 Game Theory - 3 credits
    EC 390 Experimental Economics - 3 credits
    EC 401 Advanced Microeconomic Theory - 3 credits
    EC 402 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory - 3 credits

Job Placements and Careers

  • Job Placements and Internships

    Our students have secured jobs and internships in several areas of economics and related fields. Some include:

    Ameriprise

    Bechtel

    BNY Mellon

    Booz Allen Hamilton

    Citigroup

    Clark Associates

    Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company

    Crossroads Partner (SAP B1)

    Crown Castle International

    Dominion Resources

    Dark Ocean Technologies

    Equitable Advisors

    Excela Health

    Federated Investors

    Frissora & Associates

    Kennametal Inc.

    MGM Resorts International

    Morgan Stanley

    NextEra Energy

    Pioneer Consulting Services

    PNC

    SEI

    SOPRIM

    Sun America Securities

    Third Wave Business Systems (SAP B1)

    Tergus Pharma

    S. Office of Controller of Currency

    S.D.A.

    Washington Post

  • PhD and Master's Programs

    PhD Programs:

    Brandeis University

    Duke

    Georgetown University

    Indiana University

    Ohio State University

    Princeton

    University of Pittsburgh

    University of Virginia

    Washington University

    West Virginia University

     

    Master's Programs:

    J.D. in Law (Penn State Dickinson)

    M.S. Statistics (University of Maryland)

    M.S. Analytics (Georgia Tech)

    M.S. Public Policy and Management (Carnegie-Mellon)

  • Career Options

    There are many career options in economics including:

    Account Specialist

    Actuary

    Advances Manufacturing Engineer

    Assistant National Bank Examiner

    Associate Field Engineer

    Business Analyst

    Collateral Analyst for Derivatives Team

    Credit Analyst

    Data Analyst

    Data Engineer

    Economic forecaster

    Financial Advisor

    Financial Analyst

    Investment Manager

    Lean Manufacturing Consultant

    Logistics

    Naval District Management Analyst

    Operations Manager

    Product Analyst

    Project Manager

    SAP Consultant

    Statistician

    Technology Manager

Accreditation and Affiliations

The McKenna School of Business has seven undergraduate programs and one graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). They are: Accounting, Business Education Information Technology, Business Economics, Finance, International Business, Economics, Management, Marketing and the Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence graduate program. Three programs in Business Data Analytics (launched Fall 2020), Sports Management (launched Fall 2021) and Business Administration (launched Fall 2021) are in candidacy for accreditation.
ACBSP Accreditation

With a requirement for faculty professional development (e.g., publications and research) and courses primarily taught by faculty holding doctorates, the ACBSP is the leading business accreditation program devoted to teaching excellence and service to students. Attributable to our ACBSP accreditation, students receive in depth knowledge in 12 business core competency areas: Accounting, Management, Business Ethics, Marketing, Information Systems, Business Finance, the Legal Environment of Business, Statistics, Business Policies, Economics, Quantitative Skills and Global Dimensions in Business. 

The McKenna School is also a member of the Middle Atlantic Association of Colleges of Business Administration. The Politics and Criminal Justice programs are not accredited through the ACBSP; however, all programs in the McKenna School have regional accreditation through the Middle States Association. The ACBSP is one of the two premier accrediting agencies for business schools worldwide.

Attributable to our ACBSP accreditation, students receive in depth knowledge in 12 business core competency areas: Accounting, Management, Business Ethics, Marketing, Information Systems, Business Finance, the Legal Environment of Business, Statistics, Business Policies, Economics, Quantitative Skills and Global Dimensions in Business. 

Distinctive Features of the Economics Degree

Economics Major: Nationally ranked program, based on data up to 2004, in terms of the absolute number of undergraduates who go on to finish a PhD in Economics, SVC ranked 38th of all BA I and BA II Colleges and universities in the U.S.  Since 1984, SVC has had 100 percent placement at highly ranked PhD programs. We have two students with full scholarships and $18,000-$26,000 stipends at U. of Albany and Georgetown University. Since 2011, four of our economics graduates finished their PhDs at Princeton University, University at Albany, Ohio State University and the University of Virginia.

A well designed joint mathematics and economics major for students intending to pursue PhDs in Economics or Finance. Some have also used the major to seek advanced degrees in public policy and statistics. Economics majors interested in immediate employment may choose a corporate finance oriented track by majoring in business economics or pursuing a finance minor or joint finance major. These students go directly into the job market and have been highly successful with respect to finance and consulting placements with BNY Mellon, Federated Investors, PNCbank, Edward Jones, Westinghouse, Genesis Health Square, S&T Bank, SAP consulting jobs (e.g., Third Wave Business Systems and Crossroads Partner), actuarial jobs, the Naval District and Sun America Securities.

The Economics major is supported by the McKenna School’s Center for Political and Economic Thought (CPET), which brings to campus numerous public policy and economic scholars from around the world. CPET has four major programs, one of which is the Alex G. Economic Education Series which, since 1986, has featured over 100 renowned economists from the top graduate universities in the U.S. and Canada, government and major think tanks. To date, we have had seven Nobel Laureates in economics lecture as part of this series. 

An outstanding faculty with PhDs from Indiana University of Bloomington (game theory and experimental economics, PhD student of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Elinor Ostrum), Pennsylvania State University (Statistics), University at Albany (international trade, international finance and monetary theory) and Purdue University (econometrics, microeconomics, labor theory and industrial organization).

Student Testimonies

Faculty

Zachary Davis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
zachary.davis@stvincent.edu
 
Andrew Herr, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
andy.herr@stvincent.edu
 
Justin Petrovich, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Statistics and Business Analytics
justin.petrovich@stvincent.edu
 
Gary Quinlivan, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
gary.quinlivan@stvincent.edu