Economics

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

School of Business

Program description

Economics is the science of human choice, the study of how scarce resources are allocated among competing uses to satisfy human wants. Since many choices analyzed are made by or affect business decision makers, economics is a unique blend of liberal arts and business. Therefore, the Department of Economics offers an undergraduate major in both the College of Humanities and Sciences and the School of Business. The major in the College of Humanities and Sciences is designed for students who desire the flexibility and breadth that is associated with a liberal arts degree. Students who want to combine training in economics with exposure to the business disciplines should consider the major in the School of Business.

Career opportunities

Undergraduate work in economics is excellent preparation for careers in business, government and teaching, as well as for graduate work in economics and professional schools such as law, public administration and medicine. Specialization in economics prepares students for careers that emphasize analytical thinking, a broad understanding of the economy and business organizations and the proper choice of policies by governments and business enterprises. Because of their analytical, quantitative and decision-making skills, students who major in economics are sought after for a wide array of positions in management and sales. The specific skills they acquire also provide employment opportunities in large organizations with departments that forecast business conditions and analyze economic data of special interest to the organizations.

Change of major requirements

Students are eligible for admission into the advanced business program with a major in the School of Business upon meeting the minimum cumulative GPA requirement and successful completion of the Business Foundation coursework, as outlined here: http://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/business/undergraduate-information/shared-curriculum/

Bachelor-level job titles

Budget, Financial or Public Policy Analyst
Information Scientist
Intelligence Analyst
Journalist
Loan Officer
Market Research Analyst
Regulatory Affairs Analyst
Statistician
Technical Writer
Underwriter
Urban Planner

Professional associations and resources

The American Economic Association

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Economics

Plan of study in Bulletin

Economics

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 200 or SCMA 212 or BUSN 212
SCMA 302 or ECON 403

Science required

Core only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

2.5 to declare major/2.0 to graduate

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Economics

Building/room location:

Snead Hall, Room B3153

Phone:

(804) 828-1717

Email:

econ@vcu.edu

https://business.vcu.edu/academics/economics/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
Take Math Placement and register for math classes each semester until you complete SCMA 301.
Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits per semester to declare your major at the end of your second year and graduate in 4 years.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
Attend two or three School of Business events.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs(OMSA) website for programs, events, and resources.
Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers/ job titles in your field of study.
Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
Take Winning Presentations to develop needed public speaking and communication skills.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor, to identify and schedule pre-professional experiences.
Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
Make sure to take INFO 165.
Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
Cultivate relationships with professors who can serve as references by attending their office hours.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break or become a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, or Student Ambassador.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week
Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program.
Consider learning a language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Create a draft of your resume and go to drop-ins at Business Career Services to have it reviewed.
Attend Black & Gold Academy, Career & Internship Fairs, and career events throughout the year.
Plan to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Participate in Explore Informational Interviews and Connect Mentoring Program through Office of Student Engagement.
Consider who you would like to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership and Involvement Center.
Join related professional organizations such as the Economics Club.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
Take ECON 300, ECON 301, and ECON 302.
Earn no less than a C average to meet graduation requirements.
Take summer or winter intersession classes to make up credits, if needed.
Conduct independent undergraduate research in ECON 492.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.
Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.
Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Schedule a time to meet with the department chair to discuss post-VCU career opportunities and graduate school options.
Gain additional professional skills on Lynda.com.
Use Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, and externships to gain practical and relevant experience.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Create a job or graduate school search strategy by researching potential employers and schools.
Research and apply for an internship at the Federal Reserve of Richmond.
Learn to solve problems in Creativity and Ideation.
Join groups on LinkedIn connected to your future career.Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network on LinkedIn.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
Take the economics capstone course.
Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
Take MGMT 434 in your final semester -- be aware of the multiple prereqs!

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America, and City Year.
Serve in a leadership role of a local community organization or student organization.
Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
Schedule a mock Interview with Business Career Services.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Consider trying out for the Fed College Challenge with Dr. Korenok.
Complete at least one internship during your senior year in ECON 493.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Get ready for the School of Business Career Fair.
Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for your next steps beyond graduation.
Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

Economics

School of Business

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression. Take Math Placement and register for math classes each semester until you complete SCMA 301. Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits per semester to declare your major at the end of your second year and graduate in 4 years.	Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events! Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs. Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations. Attend two or three School of Business events.	Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office. Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs(OMSA) website for programs, events, and resources. Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.	Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers/ job titles in your field of study. Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities. Take Winning Presentations to develop needed public speaking and communication skills.	Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor, to identify and schedule pre-professional experiences. Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility. Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people.
Experience	Year 2	Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses. Make sure to take INFO 165. Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead. Cultivate relationships with professors who can serve as references by attending their office hours.	Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA). Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break or become a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, or Student Ambassador.	Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program. Consider learning a language to open doors to international organizations and future study. Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.	Create a draft of your resume and go to drop-ins at Business Career Services to have it reviewed. Attend Black & Gold Academy, Career & Internship Fairs, and career events throughout the year. Plan to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year.	Participate in Explore Informational Interviews and Connect Mentoring Program through Office of Student Engagement. Consider who you would like to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation. Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership and Involvement Center. Join related professional organizations such as the Economics Club.
Experience	Year 3	See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework. Take ECON 300, ECON 301, and ECON 302. Earn no less than a C average to meet graduation requirements. Take summer or winter intersession classes to make up credits, if needed. Conduct independent undergraduate research in ECON 492.	Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility. Create and complete a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions. Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.	Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office. Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.	Schedule a time to meet with the department chair to discuss post-VCU career opportunities and graduate school options. Gain additional professional skills on Lynda.com. Use Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, and externships to gain practical and relevant experience.	Create a job or graduate school search strategy by researching potential employers and schools. Research and apply for an internship at the Federal Reserve of Richmond. Learn to solve problems in Creativity and Ideation. Join groups on LinkedIn connected to your future career.Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network on LinkedIn.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. Take the economics capstone course. Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam. Take MGMT 434 in your final semester -- be aware of the multiple prereqs!	Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America, and City Year. Serve in a leadership role of a local community organization or student organization. Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs.	Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations. Schedule a mock Interview with Business Career Services.	Consider trying out for the Fed College Challenge with Dr. Korenok. Complete at least one internship during your senior year in ECON 493.	Get ready for the School of Business Career Fair. Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for your next steps beyond graduation. Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.