Economics (B.A.)
Economics is a social science that seeks to understand human behavior by analyzing how changes in incentives affect the choices individuals and groups of individuals make. The basic challenge of economic decision-making involves satisfying unlimited human wants with limited resources. Exploring this central economic concept becomes even more complex when a specific society’s values, objectives, and institutions are considered. Marymount’s B.A. in economics uses this economic framework to understand a broad range of diverse issues including business operations, environmental policy issues, poverty, law, financial institutions, and international trade, among others.
Marymount’s location in the metropolitan Washington, DC area provides the perfect setting for real-time analysis and experience via site visits, internship opportunities, and guest speakers from think tanks and government agencies. Small class sizes allow extensive individual interaction with professors.
A degree in economics prepares students for careers in government, consulting, and business. Indeed, average starting salaries for undergraduate economics majors are routinely among the highest among all undergraduate programs. Studying economics also provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in law, public policy, international studies, or business.
Students majoring in economics will be encouraged by advisors to choose their elective courses with specific postgraduate goals in mind. The economics degree provides ample elective credits for students to explore additional academic interests in fields like business, politics, mathematics, history, English, sociology, philosophy, and psychology.
Upon successful completion of the economics program, students will be able to
- understand economic analysis and use its concepts to provide insight into a wide range of human concerns;
- communicate economic information and concepts effectively in both written and oral forms of communication; and
- work effectively as an entry-level research or policy analyst and develop opportunities and techniques for lifelong professional development.
Internship Prerequisites: A minimum of 90 credits in the program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all 300- and 400-level economics courses are required in order to register for the internship (ECO 490). Students should also have completed a minimum of 9 credits in 300- and 400-level economics courses. Students should consult their academic advisor and the School of Business Administration internship director in the Center for Career Services for more information.
Residency Requirement: Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits from the 300- and 400-level major degree requirements at Marymount.
Degree Requirements — Economics
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University requirements.
An additional 12 to 15 credits of economics courses (for a total of 33 economics credits) are required.
Sample Degree Plan — Economics
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| DSC 101 | DISCOVER First-Year Seminar * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective (MGT 123 recommended) | |
Year One — Spring
| ECO 211 | Principles of Macroeconomics * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course (psychology, politics, or sociology) * | |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective (MA 171 Calculus with Precalculus A or MA 181 Calculus recommended) | |
Year Two — Fall
| ECO 210 | Principles of Microeconomics * | 3 |
| MA 132 | Statistical Analysis * | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | |
Year Two — Spring
| ECO 330 | Managerial Economics * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | |
| | One (1) Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in politics, psychology or sociology or a second Natural Science (NS) core course * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
PH 100: PH-1 core course
One (1) Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in politics, psychology or sociology or a second Natural Science (NS) core course: Students must take an Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in another field (politics, psychology, or sociology) different from their earlier non-economics SS-1 elective or else take a second Natural Science (NS) core course.
Year Three — Fall
| ECO 431 | Contemporary Issues in Economics * | 3 |
| | One (1) 300/400-level economics course | |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | |
ECO 431: SS-2 core course, WI course
Year Three — Spring
| ECO 485 | International Economics * | 3 |
| | One (1) 300/400-level economics course | |
| | | |
| PH 301 | Social and Political Philosophy * | 3 |
| | OR | |
| PH 305 | Business Ethics * | 3 |
| | | |
| | Two (2) electives | |
PH 301, PH 305: (PH-2 core course) Students can elect to take another Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) core course instead.
Year Four — Fall
| | Two (2) 300/400-level economics courses | |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | |
Year Four — Spring
| ECO 490 | Internship * | 3-6 |
| | Zero (0) or one (1) economics course | |
| | Three (3) electives | |
ECO 490, economics course: Internship may be taken for 6 credits or 3 credits plus one (1) economics course. ECO 490 fulfills the university Experiential Learning (EXP) requirement.
Note: Students must take at least two (2) Writing-Intensive (WI) courses in addition to ECO 431.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.