With topics like inflation and growth dominating headlines during and after the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, economics has never felt more relevant. When U.S. citizens walk through the grocery store or sit down to pay a bill, the impact of economic factors such as supply and demand is clear.
Graduates of the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics program from the University of Mount Saint Vincent (USMV) learn how to apply theoretical concepts to a variety of career paths, including work in the finance, public policy, and nonprofit worlds.
What Will I Study in a BA in Economics Program?
Pursuing a BA in Economics means learning the mechanisms behind how people make decisions by considering factors like scarcity and efficient use of resources, according to the American Economic Association. Students may decide to focus on macroeconomic trends and study the economy or specialize in a microeconomic topic by examining why economic actors make their individual decisions.
As part of the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s online BA in Economics program, graduates complete five core courses in Principles of Microeconomics, Intermediate Price Analysis, Money and Banking, Intermediate Income & Employment, and Principles of Macroeconomics. The coursework gives students a broad introduction to basic economic principles, analytical techniques, and theories that underlie the models graduates will use in their future careers.
Students can choose from several courses to meet the requirements of 18 economics elective credits. For those interested in international affairs, UMSV offers courses in International Trade, International Political Economy, and International Finance. Students leave complete courses with a background in international monetary systems and the inner workings of the global economy they can apply to real-world scenarios once in the workforce.
Other elective options taught by expert professors give students an opportunity to analyze economics from a corporate perspective, including Corporate Financial Analysis, Investments, and Quantitative Methods. Graduates gain a greater understanding of portfolio management and spreadsheet construction, as well as a sense of what career path they would like to pursue upon completion of the BA program.
What Kinds of Job Opportunities Can Economics Grads Pursue?
Many economics graduates obtain jobs with a simple title: economist. These professionals can work in various settings, including roles as consultants, corporate employees, government advisors, or professors (with further education). In these roles, they conduct research, analyze statistical data, and prepare reports providing advice on how to navigate public policy and future economic trends. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists earn a median salary of $113,940 per year.
Graduates may pursue careers in other fields, often moving into the corporate sector by becoming business and financial managers. These roles offer opportunities to conduct budget analysis on the feasibility of different proposals, or directly coordinate an organization’s economic strategy by coordinating with other departments and finding creative solutions to financial challenges.
Other economics professionals who are passionate about making a difference may use their skills to become nonprofit managers. Roles in non-governmental organizations provide opportunities to promote economic development policies around the globe and develop effective fundraising strategies to sustain charitable endeavors.
Whatever path they follow, economics graduates bring with them a number of transferable skills, including a strong background in quantitative research, stellar organization skills, and critical-thinking abilities.
Earn Your Economics Degree Online With UMSV
By pursuing an online BA in Economics through the University of Mount Saint Vincent, students open themselves to a world of career opportunities while still maintaining flexibility to balance existing priorities, such as a full-time job or other entrepreneurial pursuits. Graduates leave with skills they can apply immediately to their current positions as they discover new passions—and new ways of solving the economic problems all around them.
Learn more about the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s online Bachelor of Arts in Economics program.
