Future Students

Academics

Economics

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences


 

QUICK JUMP
  Economics
  Study Options
  Requirements and Sample Courses
  Careers in Economics
  Salaries
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Campus Organizations and Activities
  Minors
  Contact Information

Economics

Economics is the study of the allocation of resources between competing and alternative uses. Macroeconomics analyzes the level of output and prices, inflation, and unemployment. Microeconomics emphasizes how consumers make purchase decisions and how they use their time, how firms make decisions on what to produce and who to employ, and current topics such as health care economics.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, minor, master of arts, doctorate
• Available at: Pullman

Study Options

According to their individual interests, students supplement their economic sciences training with elective coursework in the areas of business, agriculture, mathematics, history, and/or political science. The Bachelor of Science in Economic Sciences allows students to choose one of the following options:

• The agricultural economics option deals with economic issues related to food and fiber supply and demand and the natural resource base that supports agricultural production and societal needs. Applications to public decision making and private decisions of farms, ranches, and agribusinesses are considered.
• The business economics option trains students to use economic concepts to better understand the management, marketing, and finance problems faced by businesses operating in a market system.
• The economic analysis and policy option emphasizes the analytical skills used in making decisions involving government programs and tax policy.
• The environmental and resource economics option trains students to make decisions while carefully weighing the trade-offs between protecting, restoring, developing, and allocating natural resources.
• The financial markets option provides students with a solid, analytical training in the substantial overlap between economics and finance. The option requires coursework that focuses on the analysis of financial markets.
• The graduate school preparation option guides students to coursework in economic theory, statistics, and mathematics needed for success in graduate work in business, agricultural economics, and general economics.
• The international trade and development option applies economic and institutional analysis to the problems of international economics, economic growth and the special economic challenges faced by low income countries.

Requirements and Sample Courses

—Bachelor of arts in economics
All majors in the School of Economic Sciences complete a common set of foundation courses. The foundation requires 40 credits in total.

Economics Core
• introductory microeconomics
• introductory macroeconomics
• calculus
• statistics
• intermediate microeconomics
• intermediate macroeconomics
• econometrics

Sample classes from option areas

agricultural economics option
• Financial Accounting
• Farm/Ranch Management
• Business Management Economics

business economics option
• Financial Accounting
• Business Finance Economics
• Business Management Economics

economic analysis and policy option
• Money and Banking
• Public Economics
• Monetary Theory/Policy

environmental and resource economics option
• Natural Resource Economics
• Economic Analysis of Environmental Policies
• Natural Resource Economics & Policy

financial markets option
• Financial Accounting
• Introduction to Financial Management
• Business Finance Economics
• Money and Banking

graduate school preparation option
• Probability & Statistics
• Calculus II & III
• Differential Equations

international trade and development option
• Aspects Sustainable Development
• International Trade and Finance
• International Business

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning, and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Careers in Economics

agribusiness managers, appraisers, auditors, budget analysts, buyers, claims appraisers, commodity brokers, comprehensive analysts, consultants, credit analysts, database administrators, economic analysts, efficiency experts, environmental impact appraisers, financial analysts, forecasting administrators, fund raisers, import/export agents, insurance agents, loan officers, lobbyists, managers, marketing researchers/administrators, natural resource managers, real estate appraisers, research and sales analysts, sales representatives, securities brokers, statisticians, underwriters, law, banking

Salaries

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, between 2005 and 2006 the average starting salary for graduates with a bachelor's degree in economics rose by 11 percent, to $45,191.

In 2002, the median base salary for economists was $76,750.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The School of Economic Sciences offers scholarships for economics majors. Students may also be eligible for other University scholarships or financial aid.

Campus Organizations and Activities

An active economics club allows students and professors to discuss economics and related issues. Club members engage in forum discussions, fund raising activities, and a unique program in which members predict how the Federal Reserve will set interest rates.

Minors

Agribusiness
Agricultural Economics and Management
Economics
Environmental & Resource Economics & Management
Sustainable Development

Contact Information
School of Economic Sciences
Washington State University
Hulbert Hall 101
PO Box 646210
Pullman, WA 99164-6210
Fax: 509-335-1173
Fax: 509-335-1173
ses.advising@mail.wsu.edu
509-335-1667
 

Strengths of the Program

  • Learn economic systems in a rigorous, flexible study of basic problem solving and analytical methods.
  • WSU's faculty are frequently cited by broadcast and print media for their expertise.
  • Make valuable internship and career connections through WSU's active network of faculty, alumni, and business professionals.
  • Transfer students are ensured credit compatibility through agreements with Washington community colleges.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us