Economics

About the Department

Antonio Avalos, Department Chair
Peters Business Building, Room 385
559.278.3916
Email Economics
craig.fresnostate.edu/econ/

Economics is the social science that studies the way in which societies are organized to produce the goods and services that sustain and enhance the life processes of the community. As a fundamental scientific discipline, economics employs systematic analysis in the study of the production and distribution of income within and among nations. Since all social policy issues in modern societies have an economic dimension, the study of economics offers the student an opportunity to investigate the most important and exciting problems of political economy facing the world today.

Such topics as inflation, unemployment, business cycles, international trade, finance, and development have long been within the province of economics. More recently, the economic way of thinking has been extended to other areas. Economic theories have been used to explain crime rates, birth rates, class conflict, pollution, marriage decisions, migration, and many other topics involving human behavior.

Economics majors acquire skills in critical and analytical thinking that contribute to an individual’s intellectual independence and self-confidence in the problem-solving processes. In addition, economics majors confront the necessity of developing a broad view of the options facing humankind in organizing the production and distribution of income. The literature of economics presents widely diverse systems of political economic philosophy. The department offers a well-developed and balanced curriculum.

The program in economics is designed to give the student maximum flexibility. A typical economics major might take courses in intermediate macroeconomic theory and statistics while also learning about global corporations in the third world, or the regional economy, or pursue an independent study project on the foundations of supply-side economics. The economics major is designed to permit the student to pursue a broad liberal arts undergraduate degree, integrating the study of economics with other social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and business administration.

Interesting Classes You Might Take

• History of Economic Thought
• Environmental Economics
• Economic Development of Poor Nations
• Money and Banking

What You Can Learn

• Economic effects of military expenditures in historical perspective
• The social and economic forces shaping the economic status of women in the U.S.
• The monetary and banking system of the United States
• Evolution of economics as a science

Career Opportunities

As a fundamental scientific discipline, economics employs systematic analysis in the study of the production and distribution of income within and among nations. Since all social policy issues in modern societies have an economic dimension, the study of economics offers the student an opportunity to investigate the most important and exciting problems of political economy facing the world today.

Graduates of the department pursue a variety of challenging careers in industry, finance, education, government and international organizations. Students completing our major have found opportunities in local and state businesses, multinational corporations and government agencies. The B.A. in Economics is also an excellent foundation for graduate school in public policy, public administration, business, law and economics. An increasing number of Economics majors and minors are attending graduate school. Some recent placements include University of Wisconsin Madison (Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics), University of Nebraska (Ph.D. in Economics), USC (Ph.D. in Health Economics), Harvard University (Ph.D. Public Policy), University of Denver (M.A. in Economics), UC Santa Cruz (M.A. in Applied Economics), London School of Economics (M.A. in International Relations).

Careers for professional economists

• According to Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, as of 2021, the largest employers of economists were as follows:
  • Federal government, excluding postal service
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
  • Scientific research and development services
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals
  • Finance and insurance
• There are also a significant number of jobs in education at the state and local level.

Find Your Job in Economics

• AfterCollege.com
• Econ-Jobs.com
• Pursue graduate studies in law, social work, international relations, public administration, and policy

Programs

• Economics, B.A.

• Economics, Minor
• International Political Economy Minor