What Is Economics?

A century ago the great English economist Alfred Marshall wrote, "Economics is a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life."  His point was that most of what people do has some connection to using productive resources to satisfy peoples’ wants and needs.  The most basic and enduring strength of economics as a field of study is that it provides a logical, ordered way of looking at various problems and issues.  

The 2007 Nobel Prize in Economics was shared by Leonid Hurwicz, Eric Maskin, and Roger Myerson. Click here for more information on winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics.

      Degrees in Economics

• Bachelor of Arts in Economics

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics is designed for those who want to major in Economics while also studying other social sciences, foreign laguages, mathematics, humanities, and other disciplines.Graduates of the BA in Economics are well prepared for careers in government, education, and the nonprofit sector, as well as for further study at Master's and Doctoral level in Economics, Political Science, Law, and other fields. 
Click here for the BA in Economics curriculum. 

• Bachelor of Science in Business Economics

The Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics is designed for those who wish to major in Economics while also studying other functional areas of business. Graduates of the program generally pursue careers in the private sector--including corporations and small businesses--while others pursue further

education at the Master's and Doctoral levels.
Click here for the Business Economics curriculum.

• Master of Social and Applied Economics

The MS in Social and Applied Economics is an innovative program, unique in this region of the country, which balances the development of quantitiative skills with the development of critical thinking. All courses are taught by professional economists who have earned doctorates in the field.  This one-year program culminates in an internship in economics. 
Click here for details on the MS in Social and Applied Economics.

Other Programs

Minor in Economics

For students who have completed Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics with a grade of C or better, a minor in Economics requires only 4 additional electives at the 300 or 400 level. 

Economics Club

The Economics Club is open to all WSU students, not just Economics majors!  Activities planned for this year include field trips to area banks and businesses, speakers, contests, and social events!  For more information contact Faculty Advisor Carole Endres (775-2823 or Carole.Endres@wright.edu) or Club President Kara Kneidl  (kneidl.3@wright.edu). 

See also the Raj Soin College of Business Career Newsletter!  Click here for more information.

 

NEW COURSES FOR SPRING AND SUMMER! 

We are launching an exciting new undergraduate course for Spring 2008: International Perspectives on Gender and Public Policy (Economics 477).  Click here for more information!

In summer 2008 we are offering Economics of Innovation (EC 728) to graduate students. Click here for more information!

 

Recent Faculty Publications

Click here for a list of recent publications by the WSU Economics faculty. 

Since economics is diverse, it provides a solid background for many jobs and professions. For careers in business, public administration, and government, the economics major is well trained to compete with majors in other business and liberal arts programs.  Many economics majors continue their study of economics at the graduate level.  Because economics is a systematic, logical way of thinking, it is also an excellent preparation for professional schools in law as well as in public administration and business.

Economists go into many different professions.  Wright State economics graduates are forecasters, bankers, lawyers, professors, entrepreneurs, stock brokers, marketing executives, directors of economic research in both the private and public sectors, and even judges and politicians.  Although not Wright State grads, three recent U.S. Presidents have bachelor’s degrees in economics.  

Many economics graduates pursue careers in business organizations in such areas as marketing analysis, financial analysis, forecasting, purchasing, pricing, production/cost analysis, or risk analysis.  Economics majors who pursue work in the public sector are able to assist in such practical matters as designing incentives for economic development, analyzing and improving programs to promote education and training of workers in skills needed in the economy, measuring and forecasting economic activity, and designing and implementing a wide variety of economic policies.  Economics helps to improve labor and environmental standards; rules for measuring, recording, and reporting business performance; patent and copyright laws and other legal aspects of business; and the overall performance of the economy.   In short, the economist helps business firms, individuals, non-profit organizations, and local, state, and federal government agencies understand how to better develop and use our valuable economic resources.

• Famous economics majors