Economics Degree Program

Economics students develop the quantitative and analytical toolset appropriate for a digital age that is awash in information but lacking clear direction. Our students learn how to handle data responsibly and develop practical solutions to real world problems.

Our majors are equipped with knowledge and experience necessary to tackle some of the toughest problems head on:

• Reforming health care
• Shaping a healthy financial system
• Addressing poverty in the developing world
• Envisioning environmentally sustainable business practices

They’re also in high demand. In recent surveys, economics graduates reported among the highest earnings, second only to engineering and physics in wages over a career.

Economics majors excel in graduate school admissions, scoring among the top on the LSAT, GMAT and GRE exams.

What Can You Do With An Economics Major?

Some resources and opportunities to consider:

• American Economics Association
• National Association of Business Economists
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• O*Net
• Search economics consulting (different from management consulting, but also appropriate for economics majors), economics research assistant or junior economist. Economics majors are competitive in banking, finance, investments and other traditional business fields, as well. In short, an economics major opens doors to careers in government, for-profit business, nonprofit agencies and academia.
• Consider graduate school in economics, public policy, finance, agricultural economics, etc. for additional job opportunities.

Planning Your Schedule

• Intermediate Micro and Intermediate Macro can be taken in any order.
• There’s no need to take any 300-level classes before registering for a 400-level course. In other words, pay attention to course prerequisities.
• Consider spending a summer in a business- or nonprofit-oriented internship, another at a policy-oriented internship (think tank or government office) and another conducting collaborative research with an economics faculty member.
• Interested in summer research on campus? Take Intermediate Micro and Econometrics as early as possible.
• Graduate study in economics may require additional math classes; talk to a professor about your plans for suggestions.

Example Course Planning - Accelerated Schedule

	Fall	Spring
Freshman		ECON 211 Principles of Macro
Sophomore	ECON 212 Principles of Micro Statistics	ECON Elective Calculus I
Junior	ECON 312 Intermediate Micro Econ 306 Econometrics	ECON 311 Intermediate Macro ECON 401 History of Economic Thought
Senior	ECON Elective	ECON 480 Senior Research

Example Course Planning - Fall Sophomore Year Start

	Fall	Spring
Sophomore	ECON 211 Principles of Macro Statistics	ECON 212 Principles of Micro
Junior	ECON 312 Intermediate Micro ECON Elective	ECON 311 Intermediate Macro ECON 401 History of Economic Thought
Senior	ECON 306 Econometrics ECON Elective	ECON 480 Senior Research

Example Course Planning - Spring sophomore Year Start 

	Fall	Spring
Sophomore		ECON 211 Principles of Macro Statistics
Junior	ECON 212 Principles of Micro Calculus I	ECON 311 Intermediate Macro ECON Elective
Senior	ECON 312 Intermediate Micro ECON 306 Econometrics ECON Elective	ECON 480 Senior Research ECOn ECON 401 History of Economic Thought

Student Learning Outcomes

Hope College students completing an Economics degree will have:

1. Critical Thinking: Enhanced ability to integrate (a) applied and theoretical experiences, and (b) a deep understanding of the content in economics and business, in analytical, problem-solving and creative activities.
2. Vocational Discernment: Enhanced ability to make decisions around how to live a life of service through awareness of oneself, the needs of the world and how they intersect.
3. Christian Worldview: Enhanced understanding of how a Christian worldview has been, and can be, applied in economics and business.
4. Ability to use economic theory: The ability to use economic theory to analyze economic phenomena.
5. Ability to use quantitative analysis: The ability to use quantitative methodologies to test economic research questions.