Offered in: Chicago

"Drop everything and solve a world problem: Major in Economics," could well be the slogan of Roosevelt's Program in Economics. Our faculty are dedicated to using economics to address problems of unemployment, poverty, income and wealth inequality, social justice, global climate change, the racial wealth gap, and statistical methods, among others.

Economics affects almost everything that happens.  Economics students explore the economy and how it works with a focus on issues of equality and equity as well as the more traditional emphasis on efficiency. Roosevelt is one of the few universities in the United States where students can study institutionalist, Post-Keynesian, and Marxist theories, as well as standard Neoclassical and Keynesian economics.

Course offerings regularly include courses addressing the market economy, the business cycle, financial crises, economic policy, theories of justice, political economy, international trade and development, the economics of women, contemporary labor problems, money and banking, the history of economics, applied economics, and econometrics.

Economics graduates typically pursue careers in public service, business, law, teaching, and research. Economics majors score highly on the LSAT (the law school admission test) and in any given year the White House, Treasury, and Cabinets are run by economics majors and economics PhDs.

Students at Roosevelt analyze how the economy works in fresh and innovative ways. Students receive a broad­-based view of contemporary economics with special emphasis on pluralist and heterodox approaches to theory and policy. Students are challenged to be critical of existing institutions and seek new solutions to problems of economic justice, prosperity, poverty, and inequality. For students who are particularly interested in issues of social justice, Roosevelt offers a Social Justice Studies BA degree.

Studying Economics at Roosevelt not only helps students learn how to make the world a better place, it also helps students get better jobs. Economics majors make about 15% more than the average college graduate, and Economics is consistently ranked among the top 10 highest paid undergraduate majors.

Requirements

• Majors must complete a minimum of 11 courses (33 credit hours) in Economics with grades of C- or higher, with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• At least 12 credit hours in Economics must be completed at Roosevelt University, 6 of which must be at the 300 level.
• MATH 110 QUANTITATIVE LITERACY or higher is a prerequisite for ECON 234 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS.
• ENG 102 COMPOSITION II: INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC RESEARCH is a prerequisite for ECON 210 MONEY AND BANKING .

In addition to the five electives in Economics, majors are encouraged to select elective courses from such related fields as history, mathematics, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and business administration.  Majors intending to pursue graduate studies in Economics are urged to take ECON 346 INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS and obtain an adequate preparation in mathematics and statistics.  Many courses are taught on a rotating basis.  Students should consult an economics advisor and develop a long-range plan of study.

Internships

Economist internships at local government offices, social service agencies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses are available, for credit, to assist students in career choice and development.  Chicago is a dynamic city and major world center of finance, business, government, social activism, and philanthropy. Our internship course enables Economics students to get a foot in the door to the world of work and life after college.

Graduation with Distinction

Students desiring to graduate With Distinction in Economics must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in economics with a grade point average of at least 3.75.  The credit hours must include the six core courses and six additional courses approved by an Economics advisor.

CORE Requirements (General Education)

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Higher level of Math may be required by major

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Coursework must come from outside of students' major discipline

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A maximum of 9 credits can be applied from a single discipline towards humanities and social science requirements

These quantitative requirements also apply to degrees.

• Students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours.
• Students may apply no more than 60 credit hours of 100-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must apply no fewer than 60 credit hours of 200- and 300-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must have at least 18 credit hours (of the 60 credit hours above) at the 300 level.
• Students may transfer in no more than 70 credit hours from community colleges.
• Students earning less than 60 total hours in residence must take their final 30 hours at Roosevelt University. Note that some majors have additional requirements for RU hours.
• Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to graduate. Note that some majors have additional GPA requirements.
• Students may apply no more than 51 hours in the major (BA) or 57 hours in the major (BS)

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

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One Natural Science course must have a lab

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 Any course at the 200 level within the discipline.

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 Any course at the 300 level within the discipline.

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Or course towards an optional Minor.

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Experiential Learning class must be 200/300 level and satisfies CORE Experiential Learning requirement. ECON 360 INTERNSHIP IN ECONOMICS is recommended.