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.
The Economics program offers three concentrations:
- General
- Business
- Political
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 General Political Minor in Economics
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.
Minor in 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.
Commonwealth U Because
Empower Your Future: Join Commonwealth's Accredited Economics Program!
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
Aberra Senbeta
- Associate Professor of Economics
- Bloomsburg
Rajendra Dulal
- Assistant Chair, Assistant Professor of Economics
- Bloomsburg
Umesh Ghimire
- Assistant Professor - Economics
- Bloomsburg
Mehdi Haririan
- Professor of Economics
- Bloomsburg
Arian Moghadam
- Professor of Economics
- Bloomsburg
Ruben Berrios
- Professor
- Lock Haven
Atika Benaddi
- Assistant Professor of Economics
- Mansfield
Jodie Budihas-Roginsky
- Secretary- Economics/Finance
- Bloomsburg
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