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College
College of Arts and Sciences

Department
Department of Economics

Room 480, Business Administration Building
E-mail: economics@kent.edu
Tel: 330-672-2366
Fax: 330-672-9808
Web: http://www.kent.edu/business/economics/index.cfm

Description

Economics studies the allocation of scarce resources by society and is important in understanding how markets function and in designing public policies to solve social problems. The Bachelor of Arts in Economics equips students with a variety of skills sought by employers, including conceptualizing and solving problems; understanding and analyzing data in decision making; and critical thinking skills. In their junior year, student learn microeconomic and macroeconomic theory which enables them to use economic modeling to understand a wide variety of issues; students also take an applied econometrics class where they learn to use statistical software to run regression analysis. Students then take a series of electives that deal with vital current topics relevant to many careers in which these theories and skills are applied, such as our financial and banking systems, the economic relation between the United States and foreign countries; government spending and taxation policies; the United States’ health system and policy options. In their senior year, students take a capstone course that utilizes and applies the theory, analytical skills and data analysis techniques learned in the program.

Combined Baccalaureate/Master's Program in the College of Business Administration and Graduate School of Management: Students must have earned 90 semesters hours to apply for the Combined Baccalaureate/Master's Program in the College of Business Administration. In addition, they must meet the GPA requirement of 3.300 after 90 semester hours or the GPA requirement of 3.200 after 105 semester hours.
  

Career Opportunities

Economists held about 14,600 jobs in 2008. Government employed 53 percent of economists, in a wide range of agencies, with 31 percent in Federal Government and 22 percent in State and local government. The remaining jobs were spread throughout private industry, particularly in scientific research and development services and management, scientific, and technical consulting services. A number of economists combined a full-time job in government, academia, or business with part-time or consulting work in another setting.

Employment of economists is concentrated in large cities. Some work abroad for companies with major international operations, for U.S. Government agencies, and for international organizations, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations.

In addition to the previously mentioned jobs, economists who hold faculty positions in colleges and universities are counted as postsecondary teachers.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
 

Admission Requirements

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum 121 total credit hours  and  42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.000 GPA in major required for graduation.
 

Study Abroad/Away Opportunities

There are many Study Abroad/Away Opportunities, for more information contact the Office of Global Education.

Student Organizations

Economics Club
 

Advanced Degree Programs

Economics (M.A.E.)