Major in Business Economics (B.A.)

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Major in Business Economics (B.A.)

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Understand the systems that drive innovation

As global markets continue to evolve, the demand for professionals who can navigate economic fluctuations and provide strategic insights is on the rise. Employers are looking for candidates who can blend economic acumen with business functionality to benefit the organization.

Gaining knowledge and skills in business economics is crucial for business students because it equips them with a comprehensive understanding of economic theories and analytical tools, coupled with practical business skills. The business economics major enables students to grasp the intricacies of market operations at both micro and macro levels and develop skillsets to deliver solutions in rapidly changing business environments.

Catalog Requirements for:

Major

Why study business economics at Clark?

Join a community of students and scholars in Clark’s School of Business, which has been named by Princeton Review as one of the best business schools in America; ranked 16th on Forbes’ list of America’s Most Entrepreneurial Universities; and is among the fewer than five percent of the world’s business schools to receive AACSB accreditation.
Share in our commitment to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which integrates sustainability and social responsibility into our research and teaching.
Learn from distinguished faculty who have extensive business experience, including serving as marketing consultants to brands like Gillette, L.L. Bean, and Godiva; as social entrepreneurs; and as advocates for sustainable business practices with foreign businesses.
Connect classroom learning with community businesses and organizations through hands-on projects that let you make a real impact on important initiatives.

Economics

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The business economics path

Studying business economics in the liberal arts tradition at Clark provide a well-rounded knowledge base, and problem-solving skills that are essential in the complex field of business economics. In our classes, you’ll learn to understand diverse perspectives, think creatively, demonstrate ethical leadership, and promote integrity and accountability in your professional life. Courses also stress putting theoretical knowledge into practice in the local community; you will complete in-depth case studies and group projects based on real business challenges and solve real-time problems for actual companies.

A total of sixteen units is required for this program. The curriculum includes two prerequisites, six business core courses, five economics core courses, two electives, and one capstone. Students must take all courses for the major for a letter grade. A minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade-point average in major courses is required for graduation.

Students interested in combining the Business Economics major with another program of study in the School of Business can minor in that subject (Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, and Marketing). A dual major between two majors in the School of Business is not an option.

Skills you’ll Learn

Gain a solid foundation in business, finance, management and accounting
Learn the principles in the study of economics systems, theory, econometrics and statistical analysis
Gain real-world experience through case studies, serving on internships, or working on a capstone project

Building your foundation

The Clark Experience

The Clark Core allows students to take courses across diverse disciplines, helping them develop critical thinking skills and respect for other cultures and perspectives. You’ll connect classroom learning with action through world and workplace experiences.

Learn More

At Clark, your education extends beyond the classroom. Visit the Career Connections Center to learn more about internship opportunities that complement your coursework and put your economics knowledge into practice.

The economics major is designed to help you learn outside the classroom. The Undergraduate Economics Society hosts career forums, panel discussions, and social gatherings as opportunities to get to know each other and stay informed on topics of mutual interest. Recent events have included a field trip to the New York Federal Reserve Bank and the New York Mercantile Exchange. A team of Clark University seniors captured third place in the 2015 Boston Regional College Fed Challenge, an annual competition held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Many economics majors take advantage of internship opportunities during the academic year or over the summer to connect what they’re learning with professional development.

Other opportunities include:

Participation in a study abroad and away program is an opportunity to gain world and workplace experience to complement your on-campus work. Clark approves semester, yearlong, and summer opportunities to earn credit through academic coursework, internships, community-based learning, or research. Explore our Study Abroad and Away page, where you can search programs by academic interest, location, and language. After you’ve identified some appropriate programs, ensure they fit into your four-year plan by talking with your faculty adviser as early as possible.

As a business economics major, you might be especially interested in the London Internship Program in England, and the Washington Center and Washington Semester program, both in Washington, D.C.

You can participate in Clark’s many clubs, organizations, and athletic teams to complement your academic work. Here are some student organizations that might be of interest to you as a business economics student:

The Barefoot College
Tilonia, Rajasthan, India
Apparent Networks Inc.
Wellesley, Mass.
Seven Hills Foundation
Worcester, Mass.
Grameen Foundation
Bangladesh
Aberdare Conservation Action Group
Kenya
Silicon Valley Bank
Boston, Mass.

Clark is committed to action-based learning, which means as an undergraduate you can join faculty and graduate students in their research.

There are different ways you can get involved in research: as part of a course, internship or honors program, or by participating in faculty research.

You also can apply for funding to support your own research on a project of your choice during the academic year or during the summer.

The Economics Department sponsors a seminar series where you can join fellow School of Business students and faculty in discussing and learning about research trends in the field.

At Clark you’ll get more than a great education; you’ll also be prepared for a long, productive career and life of consequence. And once you’ve completed your degree, you can join other Clark alumni who have gone on to work for great organizations and attend some of the best graduate schools in the world.

By emphasizing careful thinking, analysis, and problem-solving, the economics major offers you skills that are highly valued in a number of careers and graduate programs, including banking, insurance, finance, and other business fields; planning and research in environmental and urban studies; international development; graduate study in law, public policy, and business administration; and economics as a profession, including teaching, research, and public policy.

Career Outcomes

Price Waterhouse Coopers
Associate analyst
Environmental Protection Agency
GIS Analyst
IBM
Senior Strategy Consultant
Eastern Research Group
Economic Analyst
State of Connecticut
Superior Court judge

School of Business programs