Undergraduate Program Economics

Economics Bachelor's Degree and Minor Overview
With a solid understanding of economic concepts and institutions, our bachelor of economics students are well prepared to enter a variety of fields, as well as continue their education in economics or other areas. These include:
- business
- law
- government
- non-profits
- insurance
- international relations
- Master’s and Ph.D. programs
Our undergraduate students interact with faculty who have expertise in a wide variety of areas. Faculty are committed to teaching, providing opportunities for hands-on learning and helping students succeed. The department has an economics lab where undergraduate students can get tutoring support from graduate teaching assistants during the academic year.
Degree Details
Location Definitions:
- On campus:
- 100% on campus
- Online:
- 100% online
- Flexible:
- Combination of online and on campus
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BABachelor of ArtsLocationsOn campusTotal Credits180Start TermAny
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BSBachelor of ScienceLocationsOn campusTotal Credits180Start TermAny
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mMinorLocationsOn campusTotal Credits28Start TermAny
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Economics Bachelor's Degree or Minor: Why PSU?
Undergraduate students in the economics department regularly get to participate in applied research including data collection for audit studies. Others have measured the benefits of local amenities, such as Forest Park, and even had their research projects promoted in the national press. Out students have access to agencies and organizations in Portland, Oregon, and are immersed in the robust and growing local economy.
Our students get many opportunities to intern and the ability to work while they’re in school. Economics majors have interned and worked at companies such as Energy Trust of Oregon, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on tax policy, economics of recycling, and other consulting.
What can I do with a Bachelor's Degree or Minor in Economics?
An Economics degree emphasizes logical thought and problem-solving skills and the ability to connect data. This gives students the ability to see and understand both the “big picture", and the small details. These are skills that employers highly value and gives job seekers a competitive edge. Many of our students go into one of three areas; a Master’s in Economics, a graduate degree in another disciple, or a job in private industry or government. Some examples are:
- MA in Economics at SUNY Stony Brook
- MS in Statistics at PSU
- Ph.D. programs
- Senior Analyst, Sightlines
- Analyst. M Science
- Pallas Global Capital LLC, New York City
- Senior Demand Planner,. Nike
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Clackamas County Health Department
- Oregon Health Authority
- Bonneville Power Administration
Featured Courses
16 elective credits are needed for the degree and we have dozens of electives to choose from. Some of them are:
- EC 340 International Economics
- EC 417 Women in the Economy
- EC 350U Economics of Developing Countries
- EC 420 Money and Banking
- EC 450 Economics of Development
Electives
16 elective credits are needed for the degree and we have dozens of electives to choose from. Some of them are:
- EC 340 International Economics
- EC 417 Women In Economics
- EC 350U Economics of Developing Countries
- EC 420 Money and Banking
- EC 450 Economics of Development
Accreditation
Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).