Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Economics

A Relevant and Practical Discipline

Economics provides us with a structured framework for understanding and addressing the complex challenges of resource allocation in a world of limited resources. By studying economics, we gain insights into how individuals make choices to maximize their well-being. This knowledge is invaluable to decision-makers in business and government, as it helps them to analyze the consequences of their choices, predict economic trends and design policies that promote economic growth, reduce poverty and improve living standards.

The University of Texas at Tyler’s economics program provides students with a strong foundation in economic analysis and prepares students for interesting and rewarding careers in business, law and government in East Texas and beyond.

Why Major in Economics at UT Tyler?

Academic rigor, career versatility and salary potential rank economics as one of the best college majors. A foundation in economics prepares you for graduate studies or a wide range of careers in business or government involving the analysis of market trends and the effects of government policy.

Learn from experienced professors who have held such positions as director of the Center for Economic Education or have received the Fulbright Scholar Award for their research.

Economics majors benefit from:

• Faculty Experts: Economics faculty members are leaders in national and international organizations, including the Global Association of Economic Educators, the Association of Public Economic Theory and the American Economic Association, with their research published in leading economic journals such as Economic Theory, the Review of Industrial Organization and The Journal of Law, Economics and Organization.
• Outstanding Teaching: Our professors are dedicated teachers, recognized with multiple teaching awards, including the UT System’s Outstanding Teaching Award, UT Tyler’s Faculty Achievement Award and Outstanding Business Teacher Award.
• Mentorship: One-on-one discussions with our expert faculty help you reach your goals, whether developing your career plan or pursuing an advanced degree after graduation.
• Networking: Connect with alumni from across the country, expanding your professional network and keeping current with professional activities.

Curriculum

The bachelor’s degree in economics begins with preparatory mathematics and statistics courses and core economics classes exploring essential concepts before moving to upper-division courses. The upper-division courses include required courses, such as intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics and econometrics, and elective courses covering topics such as international trade, game theory, monetary policy, health economics, environmental economics and managerial economics, among others.

Students interested in the BA format take at least four semesters of a foreign language or pass a written examination.

Through this framework, students begin to understand how markets work on a global level, the forces influencing consumer behavior and how businesses can translate these trends into growth-driving actions. Economics majors:

• Gain practical knowledge of how markets work, how to analyze data and trends, and how to effectively communicate economic analysis and results.
• Learn to analyze a variety of microeconomic models to explain consumer and business behavior and market outcomes.
• Learn to analyze a variety of macroeconomic models to explain macroeconomic indicators, monetary policy, international trade and economic growth.
• Apply economic analysis to understand how changes in economic conditions, including government policy, affect the performance of markets and the economy.
• Learn to organize, interpret, and describe economic data and to apply statistical analysis to inform decision making.

Economics Major Requirements

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics?

Businesses in every industry rely on economic analysis to make production decisions and formulate advertising and pricing strategies, and many government agencies and not-for-profit organizations use economic analysis to study economy and public policy. Therefore, a degree in economics opens up a variety of career options across many sectors of the economy, including businesses, government and not-for-profit organizations, and prepares you for jobs as a Market Research Analyst, Financial Analyst, Policy Analyst, Data Analyst, Real Estate Analyst and Business Manager among others. Access opportunities locally to participate in and contribute to the growing economy of East Texas or look for opportunities nationwide.

Individuals with an undergraduate degree in economics earn some of the highest starting salaries. And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, organizations across all sectors of the economy deliberately seek out the analytical skills and insights economists bring, giving economics a very positive outlook for the future. Many UT Tyler alumni go on to study policy, law or economics at the graduate level.