Economics

The Bachelor of Arts degree in economics at the University of Mount Union covers economic principles including micro, macro, managerial, and global economics. As an economics major, students explore topics such as financial accounting and quantitative methods while gaining valuable skills for a career in the field. The economics major combines practical preparation with a liberal arts foundation, which guides students as they seek solutions for a broad spectrum of challenges.

Economics majors will acquire an overall understanding of business organizations and develop a deeper grasp of the intricacies involved with international operation. Students explore the impact of politics, different cultures, and international diplomacy on the opportunities available to the corporations of the world.

Economics Major Quick Facts

The economics degree requires 120 credit hours of coursework, with 47 hours taken in the major. The University’s general education program, the Integrative Core, allows students to explore areas outside of their field of interest while developing essential leadership and communication skills that employers value. Experiential learning opportunities will give you many chances to put classroom knowledge to work. These opportunities, which complement classroom learning, include:

Internships in the field
Service-learning opportunities
Individual or collaborative research opportunities with faculty
Membership in Mount Union’s chapter of Tau Pi Phi, a business honorary

Curriculum

Courses for the degree cover economic principles including micro, macro, managerial, and global economics. As an economics major, you will also explore courses in financial accounting, quantitative methods, personal life, and career plans. Our program combines practical preparation with a liberal arts foundation, which will guide you as you seek solutions for a broad spectrum of challenges.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamental and technical concepts of economics.
Students will apply the basic theories of economics in critical thinking and problem solving.
Students will be able to identify and use economics terminologies in oral and written communications.
Students will demonstrate an awareness of their role in the global economics environment.
Students will be able to make decisions wisely using cost-benefit analysis.
Students will demonstrate a sense of responsibility and a capacity for service.
Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize when change is appropriate, to adapt to change as it occurs, and to take the lead in creating change as the country’s economic environment changes.
Students will demonstrate an ability to examine their personal and professional beliefs and opinions and an understanding of the balance in life between work, play, family, and friends.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of their personal interests, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses as they pertain to professional career fields.
Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of career options available to them and will establish career objectives.

Experiential Learning

Students who choose to major in economics at Mount Union have ample opportunities to get “real-world” experience outside of the classroom. By getting involved in extracurricular opportunities and student organizations, you can strengthen your skills and knowledge of economics, both of which are critical to career success. These opportunities, which complement classroom learning, include:

Internships
Independent research
Research with faculty or student peers
Research-based courses

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Tau Pi Phi is an honor society specifically for students with business related majors. Each member requires a 3.0 overall GPA, a 3.3 GPA in departmental coursework, and successful completion of eight courses in business administration, economics, and/or accounting.

Careers

Today, almost every business in the United States is international in some manner, and there’s no better time to explore a career in international business and economics at Mount Union. In this program, you’ll acquire an overall understanding of business organizations and develop a deeper grasp of the special challenges that international operations present. You’ll explore the impact of politics, different cultures, and international diplomacy on the opportunities available to the world’s corporations.

A unique aspect of international business is the need to understand and adapt to the culture and business customs of others. So, you’ll pair your business studies with a minor in any one of the foreign languages offered at Mount Union and broaden your perspective about other cultures through a study abroad experience, earning at least six credits in an international university. This educational experience will truly prepare you for a number of rewarding careers.