Program Overview
Economics Degree
The University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.E.C.O.) in Economics.
Program Type
- Major
- Format: On Campus
- Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
- Credit Hours: 120
Program Description
Develop insight into how the economy impacts people's everyday lives. Economics is the study of decision-making, and many decisions focus on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. An economics degree will make you more marketable when you begin the process of looking for a job.
Why Earn an Economics Degree?
A recent study by the Department of Labor indicates that economics jobs in industry are projected to increase by 27 percent. A degree in economics can also make you more employable on the international scene. Studies indicate that economics majors are earning substantially higher starting salaries than other social science and humanities majors.
Marketable Skills
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Supply and demand analysis
- Oral and written communication
- Understanding current/past economic performance
- Quantitative analysis
- Understanding of market equilibrium/adjustment
- Analysis of data using Excel
Economics Degree Highlights
We are a large enough department that we can offer a wide variety of courses, including electives on topics such as health care economics, international trade, third-world development, money and banking, and many more.
Our faculty members provide individual attention so you develop a clear understanding of how to apply economic theory to real-world policy issues.
Besides the internship and career services provided by the university, we have a dedicated job placement officer who locates internships and job openings and helps prepare you for interviews.
You may gain research experience by working on a project conducted in the Center for Economic Education, the Center for Environmental Economic Studies and Research, or the Economics Research Group.
Our faculty members are well-known experts who have written hundreds of articles and books on general topics and specific fields in economics. They also have worked on projects in Thailand, Poland, Egypt, Mexico, central Africa, and South Africa.
You can meet other students who share your interest in economics through the UNT Economics Club or the student chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society.
What Can You Do With an Economics Degree?
About 50 percent of the nation’s economists work for private firms in banking, consulting, financial services, health care, insurance, international trade, labor relations, and marketing.
Possible career fields and employers include:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Aviation Administration, or Federal Trade Commission
- International roles in the federal government, the United Nations, international or nonprofit organizations, and international business and banking firms
- Education such as teaching in secondary schools
Some of our graduates work for Citigroup, Texas Instruments, GEICO, and Buxton. Other graduates are pursuing graduate studies in Economics or are enrolled in some of the nation’s top law schools.
Economics Degree Courses You Could Take
History of Economic Thought (3 hrs)
Economic thought since the Middle Ages.
Economic Cycles and Forecasting (3 hrs)
Focuses on time series analysis and forecasting methodologies applied to problems typically encountered in economics and finance. Computer applications will be used to reinforce the theoretical models.
The Economics of Health Care (3 hrs)
Application of economic theory and analysis to the financing and delivery of medical care. Emphasis on the use of economic concepts to understand health care markets and public policy issues.
Strategic Behavior Across Market Structures (3 hrs)
Examines the role of market structure on firm behavior, including profit maximization through strategic behavior. Additional topics addressed include the role of regulatory agencies and governments in markets, and non-price issues (such as social and environmental concerns). Empirical and theoretical models as well as case studies are used to analyze firm interactions within market structures.
Industrial Organization and Public Policy (3 hrs)
Emphasizes relationships between structure, conduct, and performance of industries. Topics include concentration, barriers to entry, pricing, mergers, product differentiation, technical change, antitrust, and regulation. Case studies of selected American industries illustrate theory and public policy.
Urban Economics (3 hrs)
Uses economic analysis to understand the development of cities and regions and how economic activity in the areas is organized. Explores the economics of transportation and urban problems such as poverty, segregation, crime, and congestion.