Bachelor of Arts in Economics

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Bachelor of Arts in Economics

What Will I Learn in the Economics Major?

From global trade to consumer behavior, economics influences business decisions at every level. At University of Portland, our bachelor of arts (BA) in economics degree program will help you develop the technical and hands-on research skills that will empower you to analyze and implement policy and business strategy in a variety of careers.

Economics Courses

The BA in economics program starts with fundamental courses in business, math, and economics, in which you explore market behavior, global trade, and financial systems. From there, you can tailor your studies to your interests through a concentration in environmental economics and policy, international economics, or public policy and social justice. If you choose not to select a specialty, you can take upper-level electives in business and economics across topics like financial markets, economic development, and policy analysis.

Interested in applying your economics degree toward a career in law? University of Portland’s pre-law resources combine legal studies with economics coursework to prepare you for law school and beyond.

Degree Requirements

University Core

Economics is shaped by history, math, and sociology, among many other subjects. That’s why UP’s Core Curriculum broadens your knowledge with a variety of courses in subjects that sharpen your ability to evaluate data, construct persuasive arguments, and apply economic principles to real-world issues.

The Core

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More than a Degree

Connect theory to practice through internships, research, and service-learning in UP’s economics degree.

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Capstone Project

Apply what you’ve learned in your economics major by completing a capstone project on the topic of your choice. After conducting research and analyzing data, you’ll write and present a final paper that showcases your findings.

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Internships and Career Preparation

Through hands-on internship opportunities, mentorship, and career development resources, you can gain real insights into how economics shapes industries and our world.

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Holy Cross Tradition

UP’s Holy Cross tradition challenges you to see beyond markets and numbers and also notice how economic systems impact people and communities. Through our emphasis on social responsibility, you’ll develop the ethical decision-making skills needed to use economics as a force for good.

The UP Difference

Discover what defines the UP experience.

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Undergraduate Degrees

NCAA Division 1 Teams

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Ranked #

In the “Regional Universities – West” classification by U.S. News & World Report

Careers and Outcomes

Economics majors are highly sought after across industries for their ability to analyze trends, evaluate financial data, and develop strategic solutions. An economics degree unlocks career opportunities in finance, government, consulting, and more.

Careers with a BA in Economics

Potential job titles include:

  • Banking Analyst
  • Economic Consultant
  • Energy Trader
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Strategy Consultant

Graduate Studies

While a BA in economics prepares you for a variety of professional positions, you can also pursue a master’s degree in areas such as economics, public policy, business administration, and law to further broaden your career opportunities. Explore graduate and doctoral programs at UP.

Alumni Employers

Economic majors gain critical thinking and quantitative skills that prepare them for a wide array of roles. Alumni work for organizations like:

  • Avangrid
  • California Department of General Services
  • Fisher Investments
  • Lithia & Driveway
  • Portland General Electric
  • T-Mobile
  • Vestas

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Apply Economic Insights to Global Challenges

You can navigate today’s fiscal landscape through real-world learning and an ethics-driven curriculum in University of Portland’s bachelor of arts in economics degree program. Apply now!

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