Bachelor Degree in Economics

CU Denver’s Department of Economics provides you with the academic foundation and flexibility to meet you where you are and launch you into high-demand career opportunities in almost any discipline. Our programs allow you to master the analytical and quantitative tools needed to formulate and answer the questions that matter to you the most.

Economics is the science of decision making. The rigorous approach which typifies economics lends itself to a remarkably wide field of practical applications. As an economist, you could be employed by private businesses, banks, law firms, consulting firms, international corporations and agencies, public utilities, federal and local governments, and colleges and universities. Study a diverse array of issues such as:

• The effects of government regulations on industries
• The fairness and impacts of taxes
• The effects of various policy tools in fighting inflation and unemployment
• The causes of poverty, and the plight of the homeless
• Pollution, crime, and other social policy issues

Use analytical tools to not only develop data informed decisions, but to also understand the motivations of people and to ensure that the right questions are being posed.

Whether you are interested in analyzing data, becoming a researcher, exploring a corporate career, pursuing law school, understanding health economics, or influencing policy—economics is the area for you.

Program features

• Your economics degree provides a solid applied curriculum while offering you the flexibility and opportunities to pursue many professional paths. You have access to our friendly and accessible faculty who are experts in their areas of study and are eager to help you discover yours.
• You will find nearly all your courses are taught by full-time faculty, rather than part-time graduate students or adjunct faculty.
• Small classes allow you to get to know your professors. You will not find yourself in any large lecture halls, even in your freshman year.
• You will learn from faculty who are actively engaged in cutting edge research relevant to important questions in economics, public policy, legal issues, and business.

Your Economics degree pairs perfectly with other programs

• We offer two unique dual degree programs that can be completed in as little as 4 years. If you love math and want to fully understand how the mathematical and statistical models can apply to real-world questions, choose the BA in Economics and BS in Mathematics dual degree. If you are interested in how economics impacts financial markets, instruments, and institutions, consider the BA in Economics and a BSBA in Finance dual degree.
• A BA in Economics can be coupled with almost any discipline to develop a niche area of expertise. Whatever question you are passionate about studying, we can help you delve into the data behind it.
• We also offer “hands-on" experience and training in the field of economics through internships and teaching and research assistantships within the department. Because of our ideal location in the heart of Denver we have a deveolped network of internship opportunities with agencies and local businesses. Many students who go through an internship are subsequently offered job opportunities.

Careers in Economics
Trajectories

• Majoring in Economics provides you with the flexibility and opportunities to not only work in the field of economics, but in business and governmental careers of all varieties.

Trained economists are employed by:

• Private Businesses
• Consulting Firms
• Banks
• Financial Firms
• Law Firms
• Technology Companies
• Retail Firms
• Health Care Industries
• Public Utilities
• Federal and Local Governments
• International Organizations
• Colleges and Universities

CU Denver Economics Alumni Careers
Economics majors from CU Denver have recently gone on to prestigious positions at companies such as:

• Qwest
• Merck Pharmaceuticals
• Citicorp
• Lockheed Martin
• Sandia Labs
• Chase Bank
• PNC Bank

Or continue your education with a graduate degree

• Many undergraduate economics majors will go on to pursue graduate degrees. We offer two BA+MA/MS options (below), while other graduates enroll in MBA programs, law school, or into other graduate programs at prestigious universities such as Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, University of Rochester, and Columbia.

Curriculum

• Whatever your career and learning goals are, the BA in Economics allows you to custom tailor your experience and sets you up for success.

Majoring in Degree: 40 hours
Our programs train you in basic economic theory, the use of statistical techniques to analyze economic phenomena, and more specific fields within economics. Course topics include:

• Labor Economics
• International Trade
• Developing and Transitional Economies
• Health Economics
• Money and Banking

CU Denver Core: 34-40 Hours 
You’ll be educated in

• English and mathematics
• International and cultural diversity perspectives
• Arts and humanities
• Behavioral, physical, and social sciences

College of Liberal Arts and Science Core—15 Hours 
These courses give you a better understanding of the issues and skills you need to succeed.

Topics include:  

• Logic, Language, and Scientific Reasoning 
• Psychology 
• Writing for the Sciences 
• Public Health

Learning outcomes

• To be able to apply the general concepts learned from economic theory and methods to specific fields of economics.
• To be able to articulate an economic hypothesis and interpret econometric tests of the hypothesis. 
• To be able to explain and evaluate the relevant benefits and costs to consider when comparing decision options and policy choices.
• To be able to communicate, in written form, basic economic theories, concepts, analytical methods, and policy choices.