Economics (ECON)

Program Options: B.A., B.S.

Studying economics at St. Kate's will challenge you and stimulate your thinking about the economies of the United States and the world. This major emphasizes development of analytical abilities and can prepare you for graduate study in law, business administration, international relations or the social sciences. The major also readies you for entry-level positions in business, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

Your career opportunities in economics are very good and should remain strong in the future, especially for women with solid mathematical backgrounds. If you are interested in translating your talents in mathematics and business into a career, an economics major can prove very lucrative. Our graduates have accepted jobs at institutions such as Wells Fargo, Retek Corporation, Merrill Lynch, St. Paul Travelers, Ecolab and First Bank. Some opt to continue on to graduate programs in economics. Others have passed the U.S. State Department services examination and entered into diplomatic careers.

As an economics major, you'll gain practical experience through an internship in your major area. Such experience increases the value you bring to organizations after graduation. Students majoring in economics have interned at large and small corporations in the Twin Cities area, including Wells Fargo, 3M, American Red Cross, Dain Rauscher, Lucent Technologies, Green Tree Financial and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Economics programs play an integral role in empowering women in our society, thus playing a crucial role in fulfilling the mission of St. Catherine University. As an economically educated woman, you will understand, analyze and participate in policy making. You will become an active citizen utilizing your leadership potential.

You'll also have the opportunity to participate in the Economics Club, which brings students together from the economics, the international business and economics, and the financial economics majors.

See also: Financial Economics, International Business and Economics, Education - Social Studies with Grades 5-12 Teaching Licensure (for those interested in teaching economics in secondary schools).

Major Requirements:

ECON 2250 Statistical Analysis for Decision Making 
ECON 2610 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 2620 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 3610 Microeconomic Theory (Weekend College students may substitute ECON 3500 Managerial Economics)
ECON 3610 Microeconomic Policy and 3620 Macroeconomic Policy (Not offered in Weekend College. Weekend College students may select an equivalent course with the permission of the department chair)
Three additional 3000- or 4000-level courses in economics, chosen with the help of your advisor

Supporting work:
MATH 1070 or higher level math course
One course in computer programming (Recommended courses: CSCI 1060, CSCI 1110)
One social science course other than economics (Recommended courses: POSC 1710 Introduction to Political Science, POSC 2200 Introduction to Comparative Government, PSYC 1001 General Psychology with Lab, or SOCI 1000 Principles and Concepts of Sociology)

If you plan to pursue graduate-level studies in economics you should take courses in calculus, linear algebra and at least one advanced statistics or econometrics course.

Economics majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing at least one writing intensive course in economics. You complete the liberal arts core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000 and CORE 3990, and any other writing-intensive course in this or another department).