The B.A. Program in Economics has an international flavor. Students are required to take at least one, advanced course covering an international economics topic.
An Honors Option is available for B.A. students who have established high standards of achievement and demonstrated a capacity for independent work. It is an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member for two semesters, exploring an area of interest in economics. The resulting Honors Thesis fulfills the Senior Thesis requirement. Students must participate in the Senior Seminar (ECO 490), but register for ECO 495 Honors Research I and ECO 498 Honors Research II.
About the Program
The B.A. degree program in economics provides a solid foundation in the skills and analytical techniques required to understand changes in the economic environment and to be able to formulate decisions as consumers, resource owners, and managerial personnel in business, government, and nonprofit organizations. This program is also designed to prepare students to participate, as career professionals, citizens and as scholars, in the global economy by providing a strong focus on the international aspects of economics. Students who choose this program are encouraged to complement the international focus of the program by taking additional appropriate courses in history, political science, and geography. In addition to providing preparation for a variety of entry-level management positions in business and government, the program also offers excellent preparation for graduate work in international business, economics, and law.
Admissions Requirements
Transfer or uncommitted students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all previous college credits.
Transfer Students: Most courses taken at an accredited institution and relevant to the B.A. degree program will be accepted, but the majority of courses applied to the major must be courses completed at Buffalo State. In most cases, grades for transfer courses will be used in computing the required minimum GPA for admission into the program.
Honors Option for the B.A. Program: An honors designation is available for students who have established high standards of achievement and demonstrated a capacity for independent work. Students should contact the department for information on admission and requirements.
Career Information
Economics majors are prepared for graduate school and for management positions in business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Students who choose graduate school typically pursue international business, economics, business administration (M.B.A.), or law.
Recent graduates have been hired as cost accountants, mortgage banking supervisors, high school social studies teachers, 401(K) control representatives, and aides to state legislators. Typical hiring firms include banks, investment firms, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofit and government agencies.
Recent graduates have been hired by companies such as IBM, M&T, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Rich Products, and DuPont.
Program Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Requirements 39–66 cr
Total Required Credit Hours in Economics 36 cr
A. Required Courses (24 cr)
ECO 201 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics
ECO 305 Statistics for Economics
ECO 307 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECO 308 Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECO 405 History of Economic Thought
ECO 490 Senior Seminar
B. Select at Least One Course from the Following:
ECO 401 International Economics
ECO 403 Comparative Economic Systems
ECO 404 Economic Development
FIN 400 International Finance
C. Economics Electives Selected by Advisement (12 cr)
(Only 3 credit hours of ECO 488, ECO 495, or ECO 499 may be included.)
All College Electives 18–45 cr
It is strongly recommended that students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in economics also complete, as a minimum, MAT 161, MAT 162, and MAT 202.
Total Required Credit Hours 120 cr