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Check the Registrar's Office for the Current Economics Course Schedule One can be a major in either the College of Business or the College of Arts and Sciences. A major in economics within the College of Arts and Sciences would be appropriate for those anticipating a future in government, international relations, law school, or graduate work in economics. An Arts and Sciences degree would allow close contact with disciplines such as philosophy, political science, and history. A major within the College of Business Administration would be best for those looking to work in industry or to pursue an MBA degree. In this case you would be exposed to disciplines of concern to business such as marketing, management, and finance. There is yet a third option, and that is to carry a support area in economics. Economics does not operate in a vacuum, but is linked to ideology and the concerns of society. Because of its strong ties with the fields of political science, international relations, philosophy, sociology, or history, a support area in economics would make a candidate stronger in those areas. It would also give one flexibility in the future and allow for a smoother change in career paths should one's interests change. A support area in economics would also make sense for any discipline in the College of Business Administration. This is because of the universal need for economic literacy in the business world. Firms in the process of hiring would certainly attach a premium to a competency in economics! WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN ECONOMICS? Yes, you can get a job with a major economics, with almost equal possibilities in education, government, and the private sector. There are immediate employment opportunities in firms operating in the financial industry-banking investments, insurance, real estate, and securities. A bachelors degree is also preparation for beginning research, administrative, management-trainee, and sales jobs. Firms in all areas of business and all sectors of the economy look for forecasts of future economic conditions so they can better understand and adapt to them. In addition, economists are called upon to apply their skills to solving specific problems within the firm, such as estimating demand conditions, and setting prices There are also many consulting firms that provide corporate and government clients with economic research, analysis, and advice. Finally, economics would be an appropriate background for a job in credit and collection managing, data processing, hospital administration, importing and exporting, labor relation, newspaper reporting, public relations, and business writing. Governments, especially the federal government and regulatory agencies, employ large numbers of economists in measuring and forecasting economic activity, formulating programs, and estimating the economic impact of various policy options. Many economists are also employed in the foreign service, in administration, and in consumer, commercial, political, and diplomatic affairs. An undergraduate degree in economics is also the first step toward advanced studies in a number of fields. Further studies in economics will prepare one for more challenging position in industry, government, and teaching. Further studies in international relations, public administration, and related fields prepare one for a career in public service. Further studies in business (an MBA, for example), finance, management, or marketing build naturally upon economics. Finally, the study of economics is an excellent preparation for law school because the two disciplines use similar thought processes and because economics has had significant impact on all areas of law in recent years. If all these possibilities are not enough, Creighton's Career Services placement office not only offers guidance to students and graduates, but also links current students to successful alumni and brings major employees to campus. WHAT DOES MAJORING IN ECONOMICS INVOLVE? The economics profession is marked by great diversity. Nevertheless, there are a few skills that must be in every economist's toolbag. The ability to communicate in writing and in speech is essential. In addition to good communication and solid economic theory, one needs to be comfortable with mathematics and statistics and their application to economic problems and issues. A student who works hard to acquire and develop these skills will be rewarded with greater choice of career paths and more challenging and satisfying positions within those choices. Thus, the economics curriculum at Creighton places students in courses that provide maximum exposure to these skills as well as to a wide breadth of knowledge and understanding. The purpose of this broad background is that students can see how their economic skills, knowledge, and ability to analyze, estimate, and forecast fit into a wider social, cultural, and business context. The result is students who not only have the necessary tools, but know which tools are appropriate in each situation. To establish this broad background, the first year of study in either Arts and Sciences or Business Administration includes courses in philosophy, theology, cultures, ideas, natural and social sciences, and skills development. In the second year, Arts and Sciences students do more of the above even as they begin their study of economics. Business Administration students do the same, but with more emphasis on business-related courses such as accounting, law, and ethics. In their junior and senior years, students from both colleges devote their attention to the economics major itself, to related courses in their disciplines, and to the task of integrating economics and the broader learning of the first two years. Since juniors and seniors in the College of Business Administration already take a large number of business related courses-in finance, management, marketing, and management information systems, their program in economics is fairly simple: intermediate micro- and macro- economic theory and four electives from offerings in money and the financial system, public finance, social economics and political economy, anti-trust, econometrics, comparative economic systems, economic development, and international, labor, regional, transportation, managerial, and environmental economics. Since juniors and seniors in the College of Arts and Sciences do not take as many business-related courses, their study includes a greater exposure to economics itself: the intermediate theory courses, the development of economic thought, and five electives from the offerings described above. In addition, these students choose a combination of four courses that will complement and set a broader context for their study of economics. If these support courses are chosen from the junior-level business requirements, a student majoring in economics can get a business certificate by taking only three additional courses. WHAT OTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE? Omicron Delta Epsilon, the economics honor society, together with its associate members, organizes speakers and awards events. The service component of the organization is a tutoring program for students in the introductory economics courses. Student organizations in related areas - finance, political science, and marketing - also provide speakers. Endowed chairs in accounting and management ethics bring in important speakers each year, and the Center for the Study of Religion and Society and the Soup with Substance series sponsored by Campus Ministry provide debates and discussion of current issues. The Department of Economics and Finance, the College of Business Administration, and Creighton's Career Services Office make available many opportunities for students to take part-time jobs or internship positions with local companies. These offer practical application of what is learned in the classroom and the kind of experience that potential employers are looking for in those they hire. A learning opportunity every student should consider is studying abroad. Creighton's Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) in the Dominican Republic hosts a group of students from Business Administration every fall semester and from Arts and Sciences every spring semester. There are study abroad programs all over the world that invite students into other cultures, languages, and approaches to life and learning. Students who plan well can easily spend a semester abroad and still graduate with their peers. Ms. Trudy Ruch (E-mail: truch@creighton.edu) John Wingender, Ph.D. (E-mail: jwings@creighton.edu) The Director of Admissions (E-mail: admissions@creighton.edu) |
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