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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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 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)
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
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.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).
Business Analytics Staff Manager @ PNC Bank N.A.
Hometown: Verona, PA
"Saint Vincent and the McKenna Business School equipped me with fundamental skills that I use daily in my career. All of my professors and advisors provided individualized attention that helped me gain confidence in my skills and abilities. The opportunity to work on an independent thesis project taught me invaluable project management and analytic skills. At Saint Vincent in the economics program, I discovered a love for statistics and analytics that has guided me through my career in financial services. The program also fully prepared me for my graduate level studies in business analytics."
Economics-Mathematics Major @ Saint Vincent College
Hometown: Qingdao, China
"I feel blessed to be a part of McKenna School at Saint Vincent as an Economics student. The McKenna School of Business gives me motivation and confidence to improve myself and make great contributions to the Saint Vincent community. From a student who started in the ESL program (English as a second language), and is now deeply involved into this community, Saint Vincent really helps me learn and grow. My time here has helped me become better adapted to the western education, lifestyle, and culture."
PhD Candidate and Professor @ West Virginia University, Department of Economics
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
"Prior to submitting applications for college, I visited several institutions before stumbling upon Saint Vincent College. I immediately developed an appreciation for the close-knit communities that exist within the College and the individualized approach of the instructors that is only possible at a small institution that values the education their students receive above all else. The Economics program at Saint Vincent College allowed me to engage in a field of study in a unique way which encouraged me to explore my personal interests while ensuring that I had a strong foundation of knowledge to give me the best possible chance of success in graduate school. I am grateful for the professors and fellow students at Saint Vincent College who helped to shape me into the student and the teacher that I am today."
Business Analytics Consultant Sr. @ PNC
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Currently pursuing Master’s Degree at Georgia Tech – Online Master’s of Science in Analytics “I look back on my time in the Business Economics program with gratitude. The critical thinking and analysis skills I developed throughout the program has more than adequately prepared me for the real world. Furthermore, I had opportunities to interact with my professors and fellow classmates, which made me feel like I was part of a community. I could tell my professors were invested not just in my academic standing, but my career and development growth as well. I am very happy with my decision to be part of the McKenna School and I believe my career will continue to benefit from it.”
Research Analyst @
Hometown: Butler, PA
"I came into Saint Vincent College as an undecided major, unsure where my career was headed. The economics faculty saw my potential before I did. I was personally approached and encouraged to enroll in the Math Econ program. Over the next four years, I worked closely with professors, developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Upon graduation, I was accepted to Indiana University’s Economics PhD program. I would not have been able to get into such a program without the time and energy put forth by the professors of the McKenna School. The difference maker in my career has been the foundation built by the Math Econ program at Saint Vincent College."
Financial Professional @ Equitable
Hometown: Erie, PA
"My experience at Saint Vincent prepared me for my career in a way I believe no other school could have offered. The small class sizes gave me personal relationships with my professors who truly cared about my success. The assistance they were able to provide challenged me to get an in depth understanding of my field that would have been difficult to achieve on my own. The overall experience of a helpful, caring staff opened the door for me to continue my education and have the confidence to pursue a career path that I have always wanted."
Business Economics Major and Lacrosse Player @ Saint Vincent College
Hometown: Manassas, VA
"After realizing I wanted to study business in college, the decision to attend St. Vincent was easy. From the people around campus to the professors in the McKenna School, this community truly lives out its Benedictine values. I love being able to study Business Economics because it provides the perfect combination of economic concepts and ideas with a real-world application to businesses and firms. Studying business in The McKenna School is in my blood as most of my three siblings and four relatives who attended St. Vincent also studied business. On campus, I am a member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team, Campus Ministry, SAP Program, Saint Vincent Singers, St. Cecilia Choir, Knights of Columbus, and Operational Excellence Club."
Associate Professor of Economics and Director of Graduate Studies @ Penn State Behrend
Hometown: McKean, PA
"When I started at Saint Vincent College I did not know what I wanted to study much less what my career might be. I was interested in mathematics and psychology which, at the time, seemed like completely distinct fields. I took an economics course to fulfill a general education requirement and it wasn’t long before Dr. Andy Herr showed me that I could integrate my interests through experimental economics. I conducted my first economics experiment as an undergraduate and I have been doing economic research ever since. The Economics major at Saint Vincent not only helped me to discover my true interests, but also prepared me for success in the Economics Ph.D. program at Ohio State University. My experience as a student has shaped the way I approach my role as a college professor because I hope to give my students the same passion, enthusiasm, and guidance that was shared by my professors at Saint Vincent."
Economics-Mathemathics Major, Cross Country and Track Athlete @ Saint Vincent College
Hometown: Lyndhurst, OH
"I chose Saint Vincent because of the Mckenna and Boyer school’s reputation for placing students into great jobs and graduate programs. In addition, I appreciate the small class sizes and the ability to be able to know your professors. Furthermore, it was essential for me when I was looking at schools to go to a school that took Christianity seriously, and with a multitude of Seminarians, Monks, and Priests around, I could not ask for anything better. Finally, I was given an opportunity to run Cross Country and Track which is something I enjoy along with my schoolwork."
Business Economics Major and Quaterback of Football Team @ Saint Vincent College
Hometown: Odenton, MD
"I chose Saint Vincent College over other opportunities for its excellent business program at the McKenna School, along with the welcoming Saint Vincent community. I’ve met some of the nicest people at Saint Vincent College and the professors at the McKenna school challenge all their students to become a better version of themselves inside and outside the classroom. I love how the professors from the Economics department apply real-world problems and situations to their coursework to help students post-graduation!"