Economics (B.A./B.S.)

Explore the “hows and whys” of the world’s markets.

Economics is a social science at the intersection of business and public policy. Studying economics will equip you with analytical and communication skills that will prepare you for a rewarding career. You will learn how individuals (households and firms) make decisions, how they interact in markets and how government policy affects economic activity.

At the University of Delaware, over 400 undergraduate students are currently majoring in economics, acquiring fascinating and useful knowledge in areas such as government regulation, development economics, household finance, economic data analysis, health economics and labor economics. Firms consistently tell us that they like hiring our economics majors because they “know how to think about complex issues.”

Earn either a bachelor of science (B.S.) or a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in economics depending on your strengths in mathematics and quantitative skills (B.S.) or foreign language (B.A.).

What I Love About my Major

In this video, UD Lerner College students majoring in Economics discuss why they chose their major – why it is unique and opportunities they’ve had that will prepare them for their careers.

Watch the video

Program Highlights

Research Opportunities

Economics research opportunities are available during the summer and academic year. Summer research programs are a very good stepping stone to a successful senior thesis or project. More details are available at the Undergraduate Research Program website.

Honors in Economics

The honors program at UD offers a scholarly and enriching community that extends well beyond graduation. You’ll enjoy smaller, more challenging classes and the opportunity to engage in research and assume leadership roles.

The honors degree requires:

  1. All requirements for the B.A. or B.S. in economics (B.A. in economics education).
  2. All of the University’s generic requirements for the honors baccalaureate degree.

ECON 301 and ECON 304 must be taken in honors sections. Courses in economics at the 600-level or higher may be considered as Honors courses.


STEM OPT Program

The B.S. in economics degree is a STEM-designated degree program and provides international students 24 months of OPT (Optional Practical Training) in addition to the original 12 months. (The B.A. in economics is not STEM-designated.)


Program Requirements

The B.A. and B.S. degrees in economics differ in the quantitative and language requirements:

Language

  • B.A. degree students must earn a passing grade in an intermediate level course (107 or 112) offered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Students with four or more years of high school work in a single foreign language may attempt to fulfill the requirement in that language by taking an exemption examination.
  • B.S. degree students do not have a language requirement.

Quantitative

  • B.S. degree students are required to demonstrate proficiency in quantitative methods. This involves successfully completing intermediate-level theory courses with calculus (ECON 301 and ECON 304) and an upper level econometrics course (ECON 422). Note: quantitative skills are an important part of more advanced study in economics, and several 400-level courses in economics require calculus.
  • B.A. degree students may take intermediate-level theory courses either with calculus (ECON 301 and ECON 304) or without calculus (ECON 300 and ECON 303). An upper-level econometrics course (ECON 422) is recommended but not required.

B.S. Economics – Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year
First semester
ECON 101 – Microeconomics
MATH 221, 232 or 241
Creative arts & humanities breadth course
Social & behavioral sciences breadth course
BUAD 110 – Basics of Business
 
Second semester
ENGL 110 – First-Year Writing
Additional MATH course
ECON 103 – Macroeconomics
History & cultural change breadth course
Free elective
Sophomore Year
First semester
ECON 301 – Quantitative Microeconomic Theory
STAT 200 – Basic Statistical Practice
Related work (ACCT 207 recommended)
Natural sciences & technology breadth course with lab (4 credits)
Creative arts & humanities breadth course
 
Second semester
ECON 304 – Quantitative Macroeconomic Theory
ECON 306 – Introduction to Econometrics
History & cultural change breadth course
Multicultural requirement
Free elective
Junior Year
First semester
ECON 300- or 400-level
ECON 422 – Econometric Methods & Models I
2nd writing requirement
Related work
Free elective
 
Second semester
ECON 300- or 400-level
ECON 400-level
Free elective
Creative arts & humanities breadth course
Related work
Senior Year
First semester
ECON 300- or 400-level
ECON 400-level
Discovery Learning Experience requirement
Free elective
Free elective
 
Second semester
History & cultural change breadth course
ECON 400-level
Free elective
Free elective
Free elective (2 credits)

B.A. Economics – Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year
First semester
ECON 101 – Microeconomics
MATH 114, 115, 117, 221, 232 or 241
Foreign language course (4 credits)
Social & behavioral sciences breadth course
BUAD 110 – Basics of Business
 
Second semester
ENGL 110 – First-Year Writing
ECON 103 – Macroeconomics
Foreign language course (4 credits)
History & cultural change breadth course
Mathematics, natural sciences & technology breadth course
Sophomore Year
First semester
ECON 300 or ECON 301
STAT 200 – Basic Statistical Practice
Foreign language course (4 credits)
Creative arts & humanities breadth course
Mathematics, natural sciences & technology breadth course
 
Second semester
ECON 303 or ECON 304
ECON 306 – Introduction to Econometrics
History & cultural change breadth course
Multicultural course
Free elective
Junior Year
First semester
ECON 300- or 400-level
ECON 300- or 400-level
Free elective
Related work (ACCT 207 recommended)
Creative arts & humanities breath course
 
Second semester
ECON 300- or 400-level
ECON 400-level
Related work
2nd writing requirement
Free elective
Senior Year
First semester
ECON 400-level
Related work
History & cultural change breadth course
Discovery Learning Experience
Free elective
 
Second semester
ECON 400-level
Creative arts & humanities breadth course
Free elective
Free elective

Career Opportunities

Within 6 months of graduating, for the class of 2022, 96% of Lerner’s BS economics graduates are employed (earning a mean starting salary of $68,339) or pursuing further education and 80% of Lerner’s BA economics graduates are employed (earning a mean starting salary of $49,098 – 3 year average 2020-2022) or pursuing further education

For more information on career resources please visit the Lerner Career Services Center.

Top Employers

Some of the top employers of Lerner’s B.S. economics graduates include:

  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Protiviti
  • BlackRock
  • Citi
  • Deloitte

Some of the top employers of Lerner’s B.A. economics graduates include:

  • Vanguard
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Bank of America
  • Amazon
  • Citi

Top Jobs

Job titles of recent graduates with a B.S. in economics degree include:

  • Account Executive
  • Financial Analyst
  • Client Service Associate
  • Credit Analyst
  • Forecast Analyst
  • Financial Advisor

Job titles of recent graduates with a B.A. in economics degree include:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Consultant
  • Client Associate
  • Executive Recruiter
  • Financial Control Analyst
  • Fraud Analyst

Visit the Career Outcomes of Lerner B.S. economics students and Career Outcomes of Lerner B.A. economics students to see more top employers, job titles, salaries and locations.


News


Learn More

If you have any questions about the major requirements, contact Professor Elizabeth Bayley, Undergraduate Program Advisor.

Browse course descriptions (Select ECON as the subject).


Admissions Information

Learn more about undergraduate admissions requirements, deadlines, tuition and financial aid available to you.


Undergraduate Advising
Our staff of professional advisors is available daily to help you plan your academic career and graduate on time.


Double Majors
Explore popular interdepartmental areas of study.


STEM-Designated Program
This STEM-designated program provides international students 24 months of OPT (Optional Practical Training) in addition to the original 12 months.


Business Fraternities
Business fraternities at Lerner offer professional development, scholarships, service opportunities, and more.