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Economics

Economics provides a primary foundation for decisions at the national, industry, business and consumer levels. Economists analyze how businesses and households make decisions, how free markets work, and how a national economy functions and prospers. Based on theory and empirical evidence, economics prescribes solutions to societal problems such as unemployment, inflation, productivity, pollution, education, housing and crime. Economics students learn to think critically and develop models to understand the consequences of decision making.

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Economics Major

The analytical and problem-solving skills learned in the economic context are applicable to many other fields, making an Economics degree a great choice for students seeking a rigorous, well-respected and relevant major without specializing in a narrowly defined area. It also serves as an excellent foundation for graduate education in law, business, public administration, environmental studies, as well as in economics. Banks, financial institutions and government organizations are leading employers of economics graduates.

There are three distinct degrees in Economics available to students:

  • Business Economics, B.S. (Major)

    A business degree where students will be exposed to multiple business areas. This allows a student to major in Economics while developing a strong business background. The B.S. in Business Economics is excellent for students who are strong in quantitative courses and are considering an MBA program after graduation.

    See also: MBA Concentration | Post-Master’s Certificate

  • Economics, B.S. (Major)

    Not a pure business degree, but does offer students some business courses. The B.S. in Economics Major offers students versatility, as it does not have a set business core to take. It provides excellent preparation for law school.

  • Economics, B.A. (Major)

    Offered jointly with the College of Arts and Sciences. The B.A. in Economics offers flexibility and is the least quantitative of the three Economics degree options. This is a liberal arts degree and students will be expected to complete the College of Arts and Sciences exploratory requirements.

Contact Us
Timothy Hodge
Economics Program Faculty Adviser (majors and minor)
[email protected]
(248) 370-3537

Economics Minor

Providing valuable understanding of the concepts and applications of economics, a minor in this field provides students with a flexible and marketable minor. Combined with a business major – or major in another field – an economics minor gives the graduate an additional advantage in the marketplace. A minor in economics can also provide recognition to the student who does not want a major in economics but who has taken several courses in the area.

Note: If you are non-business major and are interested in obtaining this minor, please print the Minor Authorization Form and contact the minor Coordinator for the appropriate signatures.

Minor Requirements

Contact Us
Timothy Hodge
Economics Program Faculty Adviser (majors and minor)
[email protected]
(248) 370-3537

Career Exploration

The OU Pledge is Oakland University’s commitment to provide undergraduate students with opportunities for meaningful, hands-on learning. This commitment seeks to enhance students’ academic knowledge with experiential learning, internships and/or research experiences that empower them to make substantive professional contributions.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Problem solving
  • Flexible, adaptable to change
  • Analytical thinking
  • Quantitative analysis
  • Suggest practical solutions
  • Critical thinking

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Undergraduate majors in economics hold positions in every major company in the United States including banks, financial institutions, and federal, state and local governments. Economics majors also hold jobs in virtually every area of business, including: finance; general management; data, information, and marketing analysis; forecasting; and human resource administration. For more information on careers please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or O*Net.

CAREER CHOICES

  • Bank Officer
  • Credit Analyst
  • Economist
  • Estate Planner
  • Securities Broker
  • Forecasting Administrator
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Environmental Planner

ORGANIZATIONS THAT COMMONLY EMPLOY ECONOMICS MAJORS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  • General Motors
  • Comerica Bank
  • Fifth Third Bank
  • Huntington National Bank
  • Wells Fargo

JOB OPENINGS
Access thousands of job and internship postings at Handshake. Handshake also provides the latest news from OU Career and Life Design, exclusively for OU students and alumni.

ECONOMICS ORGANIZATIONS AT OU
ESA (Economic Students Association)
National Omicron - Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society
Student Organizations

CAREER OUTLOOK*
Wage Range | $27,050 - $128,680
Median Annual Wage | $42,410 - $73,560
National Growth | 7% from 2020 to 2030

*Data from the National Bureau of Labor and Statistics

School of Business Administration

Elliott Hall, Room 427
275 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
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