Bachelor in Economics

Why Study Economics?

The mission of the Economics Program is to foster critical, reflective, informed, and empowered participants and citizens, who understand cause and effect in the realm of economics. Through a range of courses and activities, the Economics Program offers crucial academic exposure to the study of economics and real-world examples. The department also offers students non-classroom opportunities to participate in economic projects and experiences.

• The Economics Major and Minor are among the fastest growing on campus. Since 2013 the number of Majors and Minors has increased from 1 to over 40!
• The Economics program at AQ features courses which are heavy in quantitative analysis, helping students meet the demands of the 21st-century job market.
• A degree in Economics has one of the highest starting salaries for new job entrants among all business degrees.
• An Economics degree can prepare you for work in private and public sectors, as well as provide a great foundation for those looking to continue their education at the graduate level.

How We're Different

Economics is a hot commodity–the economics program at Aquinas has seen the number of economics majors skyrocket by 1,800% from 2013 to 2015. Learn how economics provides answers to sustainability problems in an environmental economics course. It’s all about measurement! Take econometrics to acquire the quantitative skills applicable to real-world analysis. Consciously Catholic and Dominican: faculty lead the way in integrating economic analysis with the ethical insights of Catholic Social Teaching. Have fun debating the brilliant ideas and ghastly errors of economists as diverse as John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich Hayek through the history of economic thought course. Discover answers to questions such as: is the Federal Reserve to blame for business cycles or the key to minimizing them? Dive deep into the two major branches of economics with two full semesters of microeconomics and two full semesters of macroeconomics. Study under faculty with cutting-edge expertise in public sector economics and tax policy. All economics majors get a global perspective by studying international economics to examine whether it’s better to “buy local” or “go global." Solve practical puzzles and paradoxes by using economic tools to appreciate how incentives and relative prices can answer some of the most vexing questions.

Major Requirements

A minimum of thirty-three (33) semester hours in economics. Required courses: ES211, 212, 311, 312, 499; MS151 (or higher-level statistics course)*; remaining hours in Economics courses

Students preparing for graduate work in economics or in business (MBA) should take statistics at the level of MS252 or higher (e.g., MS493, 494) and at least one semester of calculus. Additional calculus and work in linear algebra is highly recommended. Students preparing for graduate studies in law, theology, public policy, urban planning, and other areas should consult with the program chairperson about appropriate supporting course work.

Students preparing to enter the job market on graduation should consider additional work in areas such as finance, CIS, accounting, marketing, communications, and applied mathematics.

At least eighteen (18) credit hours toward the major must be earned at Aquinas College. Any ES-designated course specified as required for the major must be completed with a C- or better grade.

Courses

• ES211 Microeconomic Principles (3) BE
• ES212 Macroeconomic Principles (3) BE
• ES311 Intermediate Microeconomics (3)
• ES312 Intermediate Macroeconomics (3)
• ES499 Capstone Course in Economics (3) SC
• MS151 Elementary Statistics (3) QR

The close-knit educational environment at Aquinas develops students who thrive in all dimensions of life. Learn more, in our students' words about the Aquinas experience and the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, service, and community.

The Dominican tradition is two-fold: contemplative and communal. At Aquinas, we are committed to gathering for liturgical prayer nourished by God's Word and the Spirit. Prayer leads us into the deeper Truth needed to live out God's call for us in the world. We commit ourselves to a love of learning, both formal and informal. This necessitates an openness to learn from the most unlikely sources as well as tried and true scholarship. Aquinas encourages students to engage in service projects and service-learning programs. It also offers preparation for careers that will enable graduates to spread the truths that they have learned - "to make a difference in the world."