Economics Major

About the Economics Major

Economics is the study of human decision making, interconnectedness, and the distribution and allocation of scarce resources. This major emphasizes development and financial economics, with a focus on decision making, resource stewardship, and public policy.

Our program prepares students with industry experience through our SBGE internship program. Our students have held internships at leading local businesses and industries such as Safeco, Morgan Stanley, Starbucks, and Nordstrom. 

Students pursuing graduate study are encouraged to complete our 15 credit calculus series. Our graduates have gone on to study at top institutions such as Notre Dame, Baylor, and the University of Washington.

Degree Requirements

Economics students are required to take a total of 68 credits, including an economics core of 53 credits plus 15 elective credits towards one of five concentrations.

Concentrations

Economics students choose one of the following concentrations. Students may select multiple concentrations.

• A Business Analysis concentration will equip you with additional skills and understanding related to marketing, management, and international business. 
• The Development Economics concentration will prepare you to proactively work alongside and within developing countries around the world.
• Pursuing the Financial Economics concentration will allow you to focus on issues such as financial accounting, business finance, and investments.
• The General concentration provides you the opportunity to custom tailor your educational experience with the Economics courses that most interest you.
• A Public Policy concentration prepares you to pursue work and/or further studies in public administration, global development, and politics.

Career Opportunities

Economics Graduate Profile – Class of 2020

Average Starting Salary: $52,733

Employment & Graduate School Rate: 91% (6 mo.)

Top Hiring Companies:

Internships

All Economics majors (with the exception of those on the graduate school track) gain industry experience through internships, and will take a pre-internship class to help them find and apply for a qualified internship.

Students who wish to pursue graduate studies complete 15 credits in the calculus sequence in lieu of an internship. These students may so choose to acquire an internship, but they are not required to do so. In addition to the required internship for most Economics majors, students may elect to gain even more real-world experience through additional jobs and internships. SPU's 

Faculty Contact

Geri Mason

Associate Professor of Economics
PhD, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Email: geri@spu.edu
Phone: 206-281-2709
Office: McKenna Hall 216