2023-2024
Economics
School of Business
Program description
Economics is the science of human choice, the study of how individuals and businesses allocate scarce resources among competing uses. As an economics major, you’ll gain an understanding of markets and incentives, and learn to evaluate current events and assess public policy. From our gateway course to our capstone programs, you’ll develop the analytical and communication skills valued by employers. Our curriculum focuses on applying quantitative and data analysis expertise to address business, public policy, and socioeconomic concerns. We also help you build and refine your communication skills, preparing you to present your work professionally with confidence.
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 impact firm/government decisions have upon consumers, firms, and the economy as a whole. Because of their analytical, quantitative and decision-making skills, students who major in economics are sought after for a wide array of positions. In particular, the specific skills economics majors acquire provide employment opportunities in large organizations that forecast business conditions and analyze economic data.
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
- Economist
- Information Scientist
- Journalist
- Loan Officer
- Personal Financial Advisor
- Research Assistant
- Statistician
- Underwriter
- Urban Planner
Graduate and professional level job titles
- College Professor
- Economic Consultant
- Financial Manager
- Policy Advisor
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- ECON 501 or SCMA 302 or STAT 314
- MATH 200 or BUSN 212
Science required
- Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare major, 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, and 2.0+ major GPA to graduate
Transfer Maps
Contact information
Department name:
Department of Economics
Building/room location:
Snead Hall, Room B3153
Phone:
(804) 828-1717
Email:
econ@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in the DegreeWorks Student Educational Planner.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
- Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
- Become a mentee in the Business Mentoring program and hone in on your personal and professional goal as well as interpersonal skills through 1:1 mentoring with an industry professional.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
- Take Math Placement and register for math classes each semester until you complete MATH 200 and statistics (STAT 212 or SCMA 301).
- Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits a semester to declare your major at the end of year 2 & graduate in 4 years.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations.
- If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
- Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Apply to join the Honors College.
- Apply to live in one of VCU's four Living-Learning Programs.
- Get involved and meet new friends through VCU Student Government or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
- Attend two or three School of Business events.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
- Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
- Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
- Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101 online to learn about study abroad options.
- Consider Peace Corps Prep through VCU Globe to expand skills in global leadership and intercultural communication.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and national scholarship opportunities.
- Review the OMSA website. Follow them on social media for events, resources & other ways to engage.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
- Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake.
- Create a draft resume and meet with a career advisor in Business Career Services to discuss it.
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center.
- Take Winning Presentations to develop needed public speaking and communication skills.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
- Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
- Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
- Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes and use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
- Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
- Join VCU's Student Economics Association.
- Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership and Involvement Center.
- Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
- Participate in a business student organization to build your community such as the STARS Transfer Student organization, etc.
- Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
- Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
- Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
- Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
- Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
- Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program.
- Consider learning a language; open doors to international organizations & future study.
- Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
- Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
- Apply for externships through the Economics Department.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events.
- Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
- Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
- Plan ahead to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
- Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Participate in Explore Informational Interviews and Connect Mentoring Program through Office of Student Engagement.
- Join related professional organizations such as the Student Economics Association.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
- Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
- Take ECON 300, ECON 301, and ECON 302.
- Take summer or intersession classes to make up credits, if needed.
- Consider applying for the accelerated 5-year BS to MA degree in Economics.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Create a community-engaged research project.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.
- Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center or the Economics Department.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
- Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
- Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
- Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
- Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
- Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram.
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
- Apply for summer research funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Seek research opportunities to refine goals and learn the discipline required for success.
- Try out for the College Fed Challenge.
- Update your ePortfolio.
- Schedule a time to meet with the department chair to discuss post-VCU career opportunities & grad school options.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
- Attend the School of Business Career Fair.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year.
- Sign up for the Connect Mentoring..." w/ "Sign-up for the Business Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect and get matched 1:1 with a mentor for the academic year.
- Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
- Research and apply for an internship at the Federal Reserve of Richmond.
- Connect with VCU Economics Students and Alumni on LinkedIn.
Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
- Take an economics capstone course (ECON 431, 441, 442, 461, or 489).
- Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
- Take MGMT 434 in your final semester -- be aware of the multiple prereqs!
- Conduct independent undergraduate research in ECON 492.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
- Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
- Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
- Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
- Meet with Business Career Services to identify how the international perspective of your coursework can be highlighted on your resume.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
- Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
- Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences.
- Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
- Complete at least one internship in ECON 493.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
- Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview at Business Career Services.
- Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
2023-2024
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 | ||
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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