Economics, B.A.

Economics is the scientific study of how individuals' and firms' choices influence the allocation of scarce resources. Thus, economics is about people and their decisions — how they work, what they buy, and how they organize themselves to produce and determine the prices of goods and services. Economics is also about how forces, such as overall income, employment, and prices, affect society.

Students will study individuals' and firms' behaviour and how they interact in markets for goods and services. In macroeconomics, students study the sum of these activities at the economy-wide level. Students will be exposed to quantitative applications and electives in specific fields of study. Students can concentrate on a particular field, such as international economics, environmental economics, or labour economics. In addition, students can combine their training in economics with majors or minors in other disciplines, most notably international affairs, government, languages, and mathematics.

What is distinctive about studying economics at Sweet Briar?

Professors and the career services office collaborate to place economics students in internships and jobs or engage in off-campus study opportunities.

Each year, students in the economics program visit a place like the Federal Reserve Bank to better understand our macroeconomy and the role economists play in fiscal policy.

Students can develop personalized programs of study tailored to interests within the discipline or across disciplines. Study opportunities expose students to both economics and complementary disciplines such as political science and business.

Faculty members offer coursework on special topics and facilitate an interactive discussion on current issues.

Seniors conduct independent research for a capstone project on a topic in economics.

Sweet Briar offers students a strong mathematical foundation that is needed for advanced graduate work in economics.

What can you do with a degree in economics?

You can go on to graduate school and earn an MBA, J.D., or PhD.

Our alumnae lead successful careers in finance and banking, politics, law, health and environmental policy, and academia.

Entrepreneurial graduates have founded their successful businesses or work in senior positions developing business strategies.

Sweet Briar College (SBC) prepares women (and at the graduate level, men) to be productive, responsible members of a world community. It focuses on personal and professional achievement through a customized educational program that combines the liberal arts, preparation for careers, and individual development. The faculty and staff guide students to become active learners, reason clearly, speak and write persuasively, and lead with integrity. They create an educational environment that is both intense and supportive and where learning occurs in many different venues, including the classroom, the community, and the world.

We’ve been making history since our earliest days. Our alumnae have been political leaders, doctors and veterinarians, scientists, innovators, and disruptors. They’re community leaders and decision-makers. They’re generous and determined. Our women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing. When our students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No matter what they study or where they go from here, Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead.

Sweet Briar College is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive, nurturing environment that respects individual choice and difference.

Sweet Briar College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts in Teaching.