BA in Economics

A BA in Economics provides a range of exciting career prospects in the private and public sectors. Graduates with economics degrees are highly marketable because they learn an analytic approach to solving problems. The BA in Economics provides an excellent background for graduate programs in economics, business, law, and urban planning. The economics major is also attractive to students who seek a broad liberal arts background. Majors in economics at CSU, Chico have the opportunity to pursue semester or year-long study-abroad programs.

Mission

The mission of the economics program is to achieve excellence in economics education through teaching, research, and service to the University and community. Our program places a strong emphasis on teaching qualitative and quantitative methods which facilitate understanding of economic theory and policy as well as the ability to apply theory to the real world. Extensive student-professor interactions and supportive learning environment are key for our students to acquire the knowledge and skills essential to a successful career path in business, finance, government, education, non-profits, and public policy.

Goals & Objectives

• To produce graduates who have an in-depth understanding of the terminology and theories central to the study of economics.
• To produce graduates with critical thinking skills needed for applied economic analysis.
• To produce graduates with the appropriate skills sets for employment or for further graduate study in economics, policy, business or law.
• To produce graduates who can apply written and oral communication skills within the discipline of economics.

Learning Outcomes

i. Analyze and evaluate behavior and outcomes using economic concepts and models:

• Use economic concepts and models to predict or explain group, individual, or firm behavior and outcomes.

 ii. Apply mainstream macroeconomic theory to explain and predict events in the aggregate economy:

• Use economic theory to analyze the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies. 
• Identify economic issues and problems.

iii. Apply critical thinking skills  and information literacy:

• Develop and demonstrate information literacy in learning to collect and evaluate new research/information.
• Critically analyze and apply information to existing economic models and issues.
• Explain the strengths and limitations of economic models.

 iv. Use quantitative and statistical approaches in economics: 

• Ask an economic question, gather information, form a hypothesis, identify data to test the hypothesis, analyze the data, and draw conclusions.
• Perform mathematical operations and apply mathematical formalizations of economic models to study economic problems.

  v. Apply written communication skills within the discipline:

• Present economic arguments in written form.
• Synthesize the arguments found in both academic and popular economic media.
• Explain economic reasoning and methods to economists and to non-economists.

 vi.  Apply oral communication skills within the discipline:

• Present economic arguments in oral form.
• Synthesize the arguments found in both academic and popular economic media.
• Explain economic reasoning and methods to economists and to non-economists.