Economics
Gain a solid foundation in economic theory and quantitative analysis and be prepared for diverse career opportunities in finance, government, business, and beyond.
- Degrees & Offerings
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- B.A.
- Location
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- Bloomsburg
- Lock Haven
- Mansfield
- Department
- College
- Program Contact
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Associate Professor of Economics
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Secretary- Economics/Finance
Shape Tomorrow's World.
We offer a systematic study of the economic issues and prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities in for-profit and non-profit organizations, as well as government. The core of the curriculum enables the students to master the principles of economics, develop analytical skills, and interpret economic phenomena.
Program Overview
- Program Tracks: The Economics program offers three concentrations: General, Business, and Political.
- AACSB Accredited: The Economics program is accredited by AACSB International, the hallmark of business education worldwide. The accreditation means we offer high-quality programs that meet the most rigorous standards. Many top, global corporations only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools. Those graduates are offered better, more competitive salaries.
- Powerful Combinations: Customize your education and create additional career options through a selection of minors and double majors such as: Finance, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology & Analytics, International Business, Political Science, Marketing and Professional Sales.
- Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD): Sponsors executive panels, seminars, and a business conference to help students develop professional skills and network with alumni.
- Accelerated MBA: Start your MBA your senior year through the Accelerated MBA program, which allows students from any major to use MBA classes towards upper-level undergraduate coursework. Students can choose from one of 7 concentrations: Accounting, Analytics, Healthcare Management, Leadership and Human Resources, Marketing, Strategic Global Decisions, and a Build-Your-Own option!
Course Delivery Format
Bloomsburg
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Lock Haven
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Mansfield
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Clearfield
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Courses and Curriculum
We offer three areas of concentration within the Economics B.A. program
Business Economics General Economics Political Economics Degree Works
Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.
Business Economics
The learning goals and outcomes are as follows:
- Outline a variety of economic theories, describe their assumptions, and state their predictions.
- Apply an economic model and collect, summarize, and explain data.
- Assess an argument about a current economic, social, and political issue. Formulate and test a hypothesis and interpret the results.
- Discuss original interpretations of an economic analysis, and support an argument based on relevant literature.
General Economics
The learning goals and outcomes are as follows:
- Outline a variety of economic theories, describe their assumptions, and state their predictions.
- Apply an economic model and collect, summarize, and explain data.
- Assess an argument about a current economic, social, and political issue. Formulate and test a hypothesis and interpret the results.
- Discuss original interpretations of an economic analysis, and support an argument based on relevant literature.
Political Economics
The learning goals and outcomes are as follows:
- Outline a variety of economic theories, describe their assumptions, and state their predictions.
- Apply an economic model and collect, summarize, and explain data.
- Assess an argument about a current economic, social, and political issue. Formulate and test a hypothesis and interpret the results.
- Discuss original interpretations of an economic analysis, and support an argument based on relevant literature.
The accelerated MBA allows students from any major to use MBA classes towards upper-level undergraduate coursework. Students participating in the MBA Accelerated Program should meet the following qualifications:
- Senior Status
- Any Major
- 3.0 GPA or Above
- Complete the MBA Graduate Admissions Application
- If accepted, students will be enrolled as provisional admission.
Provisional admission: Students participating in the Accelerated MBA Program will need to maintain the following while participating in the program:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Graduate with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Achieve a B+ or higher in MBA courses taken
Coursework Details:
- Business Students: MBA graduate courses may be used in exchange for undergraduate courses within the Zeigler College of Business. Up to 4 MBA graduate courses can be applied to undergraduate courses with the approval of the advisor, department chair, program coordinator, and dean. These courses can be existing undergraduate business courses or electives. This assessment will be through a collaborative case-by-case process.
- Non-Business Students: With the permission of their advisor, department chair, MBA program coordinator, and business dean, majors outside of the Zeigler College of Business may enroll in up to 4 MBA graduate courses. These courses may be applied at the discretion of their program and college, for example, undergraduate electives.
- Performance: Students enrolling in the Accelerated MBA Program must meet the MBA program's expectations and complete the required courses that lead to the award of an MBA degree. If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 or a letter grade below B+ is received, an assessment will be conducted between the MBA Coordinator and advisor, potentially leading to the removal from the program.
- Students have an opportunity to take a second concentration and would require 9-credits for the chosen concentration.
High Impact Experiences
Awards and Recognitions
Joseph and Savanah Obutelewicz Memorial Scholarship Award: Awarded to the senior with the highest GPA as of September of the senior year. Must have completed or be enrolled in a minimum of 21 credit hours of economics courses, including ECON 221 and 222.
Adam Smith Award: Awarded to the senior with the highest GPA at the start of the spring semester of the senior year. Cannot be the recipient of the Joseph and Savanah Obutelewicz Memorial Scholarship Award.
Clubs and Organizations
Economics Club: Our Economics Club promotes knowledge of economics, stimulates interest in economics beyond the classroom, and creates forums for students to discuss economic issues. It stays connected to current economic issues through many activities, events, and projects. Currently, the club hosts Movie Nights featuring compelling films related to topics in economics and coordinates a newsletter representing a voice for any club member looking to submit articles.
Nano-Incubator for Micro-Businesses: The CU Nano-Incubator was established to help overcome the roadblocks to establishing a business. While many students say they would like to launch their own businesses, many of them never will. CU’s Nano-Incubator allows you to test the waters by launching online a small part of the business that interests you.
Partner-ED: Partner-ED is one of many experiential learning programs that connect students with area business owners and managers. Through planned activities and projects students apply business concepts, and enhance interpersonal and team skills. Student participants remark that they enjoy the experience, and learn a lot too, from interacting directly with the business community. Company Partners also report how much they enjoy talking with students and discussing their work.
The Poorman Student Investment Fund: As part of the Finance and Economics concentration, you can gain hands-on experience managing the Poorman Student Investment Fund. You will learn and apply investment analysis and selection techniques, and portfolio management skills given the fund policy guidelines.
Honor Societies
Omicron Delta Epsilon is one of the world’s largest academic honor societies and recognizes the scholastic attainment of outstanding students in economics. Our chapter’s activities include invited speakers, dinners, field trips, and more.
Internships
Economics students have had exciting internship opportunities in a variety of roles, including positions at banks, the Geisinger Health System, and The Washington Center. You can also learn more about internship opportunities through our Professional U program.
Students are encouraged to complete internships in their junior or senior year. You will find opportunities for internships in large organizations as well as in small, family-owned businesses. In recent years, students have interned with diverse organizations, including:
- Disney
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Pennsylvania Office of the Budget
- State Farm
- Geisinger Health Systems
- Little League International
- Hershey’s
- The Franklin Institute
- First Quality
Careers
Our alumni have achieved great success following graduation. Here’s a sampling of the places where are alumni have worked and a sampling of the job titles they’ve held.
Companies where our alumni have worked
- ULTA Beauty
- Geisinger Health Foundation
- RBC Wealth Management
- Wells Fargo & Company
- KPMG LLP
- Deloitte Consulting
- Bank of America
- Mastercard
- Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Job titles our alumni have held
- Owner
- CEO
- CFO
- Vice President
- Senior Account Executive
- Solutions Analyst
- Financial Advisor
- Associate Broker
- Assistant Portfolio Manager
- Sales Representative
The Commonwealth U Difference
Careers
A degree in economics prepares students for a variety of careers after graduation in business, government, and non-profit organizations. A degree in economics can also serve as preparation for graduate study pursuing a master’s degree or Ph.D. in Economics, an M.B.A., or a J.D.
Potential Job Opportunities
- Actuary
- Data Analyst
- Economic Researcher
- Economist
- Financial Consultant
- Financial Planner
- Financial Risk Analyst
- Health Care Management
- Investment Analyst
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Market Research
- Public Sector Roles
Top Skills Employers are Looking For
- Critical Thinking
- Data Analysis
- Statistical Programming
- Problem Solving
Speaker Series
Each spring the department hosts a prominent economist to lecture on current topics facing their respective fields, national economic trends, and issues relating to the global economy. Past speakers have included some of the biggest names in the field, including Nobel Laureates, to include Paul Krugman, Gregory Mankiw, and George Borjas, to name a few.
Program Contacts
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