Introduction to the Economics Program

The Economics program at The American College of Greece is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of economic principles, theories, and practices. The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze economic issues, think critically, and make informed decisions.

Program Overview

The Economics program is a four-year undergraduate degree that covers a wide range of topics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and applied economics. The program is validated by The Open University, UK, and is accredited by NECHE.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in economic theory and practice. Students will study economics at both the macro and micro levels, including topics such as:

• Consumer behavior
• Market structures
• International trade
• Economic development
• Monetary and fiscal policy

Students will also have the opportunity to choose from a range of elective courses, allowing them to specialize in areas such as:

• Managerial economics
• Investment economics
• Environmental economics
• Real estate economics
• Labor economics

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Economics program will have a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Banking and finance
• Government and public policy
• Industry and retail
• Higher education and research
• International organizations

Economists are in high demand, and the skills and knowledge gained through this program will provide graduates with a competitive edge in the job market.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Economics program requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with a strong academic record. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in English, as the program is taught in English.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for the Economics program vary depending on the student's country of origin and residency status. For more information, please refer to the college's website or contact the admissions office.

Research Areas

The Economics program at The American College of Greece has a strong research focus, with faculty members actively engaged in research in a range of areas, including:

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Econometrics
• International trade
• Economic development

Students will have the opportunity to work with faculty members on research projects, gaining valuable experience and skills in research design, data analysis, and presentation.

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar for the Economics program is based on a semester system, with two semesters per academic year. The fall semester typically runs from September to December, and the spring semester from January to May.

Faculty

The faculty members of the Economics program are highly qualified and experienced, with a strong commitment to teaching and research. They are dedicated to providing students with a supportive and stimulating learning environment, and are available to advise and mentor students throughout their studies.

Facilities and Resources

The American College of Greece has a range of facilities and resources available to support student learning, including:

• State-of-the-art classrooms and lecture halls
• Computer labs and libraries
• Online resources and databases
• Career counseling and placement services

Students will have access to these facilities and resources, providing them with a comprehensive and supportive learning environment.

The American College of Greece (ACG) is an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian, co-educational institution founded in 1875 in Smyrna (Izmir), Asia Minor, by missionaries from Boston, Massachusetts. Following the Asia Minor Catastrophe, the college relocated to Athens in 1923 and has operated there ever since. It is the oldest and largest U.S.-accredited, comprehensive educational institution in Europe, with over 150 years of transformative education and a long-standing role in fostering intellectual and cultural ties between Greece and the United States.

ACG is chartered as a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity by the State of Colorado, and is governed by an independent board of trustees. Its motto — Non Ministrari, Sed Ministrare ("Not to be Served, but to Serve") — reflects its foundational commitment to education in service of society.

Three divisions:

ACG operates across three distinct academic divisions, each serving a different stage of education:

• Pierce: a pre-kindergarten through secondary school offering a Gymnasium, Lyceum and an International Baccalaureate Programme, with campuses in Aghia Paraskevi and a Pierce East Campus in Spata
• Deree: the undergraduate and graduate college, with all instruction delivered entirely in English, located on the main 64-acre campus in Aghia Paraskevi.
• Alba Graduate Business School: a specialized postgraduate business school located in downtown Athens, built on ACG's long-standing legacy of academic excellence.

Accreditation

ACG was first accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in 1981, becoming the first U.S. institution abroad to achieve this distinction. In 2023, The American University of Greece (AUG) — ACG's newly incorporated U.S. affiliate — received full institutional NECHE accreditation, which includes ACG's operations in Greece through a validating agreement. This means Deree graduates hold degrees with the same credentials as graduates of other NECHE institutions, including MIT, Harvard, Brown, Boston College and Amherst.

Deree is also validated by The Open University (UK), providing graduates with an additional internationally recognized award pathway. In 2024, AUG launched a Global Campus offering fully online degree programs rooted in ACG's academic tradition.

Campus

The main campus in Aghia Paraskevi sits on the western slopes of Mount Hymettus, about ten kilometers from central Athens, and was originally designed by the renowned Greek architect Constantine Doxiadis. Its 64 acres include smart classrooms, science and STEM laboratories, fine art studios and exhibition spaces, a Center for the Arts with multiple performance venues including the Pierce Theater, a black box theater and the Irene Bailey Theater, a library, a gym, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a soccer and track complex, a chapel, and student lounges. The campus offers panoramic views of the Athens basin.

Student life

Student life at ACG is active and diverse. Students can join academic societies, a wide range of clubs, and student organizations including the Deree Student Association, the Research Scholars Organization, and the Student Emergency Response Force. Intercollegiate and intramural sports are organized under the Deree Griffins banner. Arts programming is extensive, with music, theater, dance and visual arts performances running throughout the academic year under the Arts at Deree initiative. An International Honors Program is available for high-achieving students, including a Stanford Summer component and a dedicated merit scholarship. Service learning projects connect students to the broader Athens community.

Research and institutes

ACG's research activity spans applied academic research and public policy engagement through four dedicated centers:

• ACG Research Center (ACG-RC): supports interdisciplinary applied research, with active projects including a study on the role of the Greek-American diaspora in bilateral U.S.-Greece relations from 1974 to 2024
• Institute of Global Affairs: hosts research, public events and publications on international policy and geopolitics
• Institute of Public Health: conducts public health research and runs an annual lecture series open to the wider community
• The Demos Center: dedicated to democratic values, civic discourse and public engagement

Sustainability

Sustainability is a core institutional commitment at ACG. The college has been listed among the Princeton Review's most environmentally responsible colleges for seven consecutive years, and is one of only four European institutions to appear on the list for 2025. In 2024, ACG was recognized as a top performer in five categories of the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index — Campus Engagement, Energy, Grounds, Purchasing, and Wellbeing and Work — making it the highest-ranked STARS institution outside the United States and Canada. ACG also received the 2024 EPEAT Purchaser Award for the second consecutive year for sustainable electronics procurement, and was featured in Greece's inaugural Hellenic Impact Report for its integration of sustainability across academics, operations and partnerships. The college currently offers 149 sustainability-focused and sustainability-inclusive courses across undergraduate and graduate levels.

Student support services

• Student Academic Support Services (SASS): learning facilitation, peer tutoring and academic resources
• Career Services: career planning, internship placement, and employer connections including an annual ACG Career Days event
• Student Success Center: holistic advising and student wellbeing support
• Counseling and Health and Wellness Center: mental health services, wellness coaching and medical assistance
• Financial assistance: merit scholarships, grants, work-study, and access to U.S. Federal Loans and Veterans Aid for eligible students
• On-campus and nearby housing for undergraduate and study-abroad students

International reach

1. ACG welcomes study-abroad students from universities worldwide through semester, summer and intensive programs in Athens. Special programs include the Hellenic Studies Summer School, the Heritage Greece program, and a longstanding collaboration with Harvard University's Center for Hellenic Studies. Through its Outbound Study Abroad Programme, Deree students can study at partner institutions in cities including Stanford, New York, Boston, London, Rome, Seoul, Shanghai and Berlin. A parallel studies pathway also allows students enrolled in Greek public universities to earn a Deree degree simultaneously.