Bachelor in Economics

What Will You Learn?

Students pursuing a degree in UT’s Department of Economics acquire knowledge of economic theories and systems and develop the analytical and decision-making skills critical for success. Options for the major in economics include a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts curriculum.

While both the B.S. and the B.A. degrees share the same core coursework in economics, the B.S. requires the entire business core curriculum. The business core courses provide students in the B.S. program with a modern integrated business curriculum that includes broad exposure to each of the functional areas of business (accounting, finance, information technology, management, and marketing) to accompany their solid foundation in economics. The B.A. program is designed for students who want broad exposure to economics without being required to take specialized courses in business.

Students may also major in international business and economics. This option couples a B.S. in Economics with the international business curriculum.

Course offerings include:

• Intermediate Microeconomics
• Intermediate Macroeconomics
• Econometrics
• Mathematical Economics
• Environmental Economics & Management
• Labor Economics
• Economics of Global Inequality and Poverty
• International Economic Development
• Public Finance and Public Choice
• International Economics and Finance
• Economics of Emerging Markets

Internationally Recognized Program

The Sykes College of Business is accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), an honor held by only six percent of business schools worldwide. It is rated a top-85 graduate business school in the U.S. by Bloomberg Businessweek, and since 2007 has been named among the best business schools in the world by The Princeton Review.

Practical Experience

More than 1,000 internships are available to UT students each year, providing ample opportunity for students to get a head start on their careers.

Plus, UT’s location in the heart of a major metropolitan area means internships are often located within walking distance of campus. Economics internships are arranged by a Sykes College of Business internship coordinator and are available to juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.

All economics students take Introduction to Global Business, which includes participation in Global Village, a trading simulation that reinforces the interconnectedness of the world’s economies. Each student also completes a project or simulation in which concepts from all areas of business are used to either create a business plan or make business decisions.

Eight hundred of the region’s community leaders serve on UT advisory boards, providing students with a world of professional connections to explore.

Students also interact with the business community through consulting projects, field trips, guest speakers, international programs, and UT’s Centers and Institutes, which include the Center for Ethics, TECO Energy Center for Leadership, Naimoli Institute for Business Strategy, Lowth Entrepreneurship Center and Florida Directors’ Institute.

What Can You Do With This Major?

Whether working in government, industry, research organizations, or consulting firms, economists with a bachelor’s degree usually qualify for positions as research assistants, marketing or finance positions, or for various sales jobs. A master’s degree is usually required for more responsible research and administrative positions. A Ph.D. is necessary for top economist positions in most organizations.

Economics majors may pursue a variety of specializations, with career choices in both government and the private sector.

The government employs about half of all economists in a wide range of federal, state, and local agencies. Jobs are available with the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Departments of Commerce and Labor, and the Federal Reserve. In the private sector, positions can be found in banking and finance, forecasting and planning, and the brokerage and insurance businesses.

UT economics majors have been accepted into graduate programs at George Mason University, The Wharton School, University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, Johns Hopkins University, Georgia State University, North Carolina State University, London School of Economics, the University of Pennsylvania, and New York University; and the law schools at Rutgers, Stetson University, George Washington University, and Harvard. Other graduates have found positions with the U.S. Congress, U.S. Treasury Department, Federal Reserve Bank, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Citigroup, Bank of America, Smith Barney, and World Bank.

UT economics graduates have held the following positions:

• Operations Manager, Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Vice President, Citigroup
• Fixed Income Settlements, JPMorgan Chase
• Financial Analyst, Federal Reserve Board
• Legislative Assistant, U.S. Congress
• Assistant VP of Treasury Management, Regions Bank
• Finance Director, Axiom Worldwide
• Retirement Services Specialist, T. Rowe Price
• Acquisitions Analyst, Raymond James Tax Credit Funds
• CEO, AP Motion
• Mutual Fund Research Associate, Raymond James Financial
• Operations Analyst, Citigroup